3 Vstilago Secalina Burnt Rie CHAP. 58. Of Darnell 1 Lolium album White Darnell 2 Lolium rubrum Red Darnell ¶ The Description 1 AMong the hurtfull weeds Darnell is the first It bringeth forth leaues or stalkes like those of wheat or barley yet rougher with a long eare made vp of many little ones euery particular one whereof containeth two or three graines lesser than those of wheat scarcely any chassie huske to couer them with by reason whereof they are easily shaken out and scattered abroad 2 Red Darnell is likewise an vnprofitable corne or grasse hauing leaues like barly The joints of the straw or stalke are sometimes of a reddish colour bearing at the top a small and tender 〈◊〉 flat and much in forme resembling the former ¶ The place They grow in fields among wheat and barley of the corrupt and bad seed as Galen saith especially in a moist and dankish soile ¶ The time They spring and flourish with the corne and in August the seed is ripe ¶ The Names 1 Darnell is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Arabian Tongue Zizania and Sceylen In French Yuray in Italian Loglio in low Dutch Dolick in English Darnell of some Iuray and Raye and of some of the Latines Triticum temulentum 2 Red Darnell is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Phoenix because of the crimson colour in Latine Lolium Rubrum and Lolium Murinum of some Hordeum Murinum and Triticum Murinum in Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in English Red Darnell or great Darnell Grasse ¶ The temperature Darnell is hot in the third degree and dry in the second Red Darnell drieth without sharpenesse as Galen saith ¶ The 〈◊〉 The seed of Darnell Pigeons dung oile Oliue and pouder of Lineseed boiled to the sorme of a plaister consume wennes hard lumpes and such like excrescenses in any part of the body The new bread wherein Darnel is eaten hot causeth drunkennesse in like manner doth beere or ale wherein the seed is fallen or put into the Malt. Darnell taken with red wine stayeth the flux of the belly and the ouermuch flowing of womens termes Dioscorides saith That Darnell meale doth stay and keepe backe eating sores Gangrenes and putrified vlcers and being boyled with Radish roots salt brimstone and vineger it cureth spreading scabs and dangerous tetters called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and leprous or naughty scurfe The seed of Darnell ginen in white or Rhenish wine prouoketh the flowers or menses A fume made thereofwith parched barly meale myrrh saffron and frankinsence made in form of a pultesse and 〈◊〉 vpon the belly helps conception and causeth easie deliuerance of child-bearing Red Darnell as Dioscorides writeth being drunke in sowre or harsh red Wine stoppeth the laske and the ouermuch flowing of the flowers or menses and is a remedie for those that pisse in bed ¶ The Danger Darnell hurteth the eyes and maketh them dim if it happen in corne either for bread or drinke which thing Ouid in his first booke Fastorum hath mentioned in this verse Et careant lolijs oculos vitiantibus agri And hereupon it seemeth that the old prouerbe came That such as are dimme sighted should be said Lolio victitare CHAP. 59. Of Rice Oryza Rice ¶ The Description RIce is like vnto Darnell in shew as Theophrastus saith it bringeth not forth an eare like corne but a certaine mane or plume as Mill or Miller or rather like Panick The leaues as Pliny writeth are fat and full of substance like to the blades of leeks but broader but if neither the soile nor climate did alter the same the plants of Rice that did grow in my garden had leaues soft and grassie like barly The floure did not shew it selfe with me by reason of the iniurie of our vnseasonable yere 1596. Theophrastus concludeth that it hath a 〈◊〉 of a purple colour But saith my Author Rice hath leaues like vnto Dogs grasse or Barley a small straw or stem full of ioynts like corne at the top whereof groweth a bush or tuft farre vnlike to barley or Darnell garnished with round knobs 〈◊〉 small gooseberries wherein the seed or graine is contained euery such round knob hath one small rough aile taile or beard like vnto barley hanging thereat Aristobulus as Strabo reporteth sheweth That Rice growes in water in Bactria and neere Babylon and is two yards high and hath many eares and bringeth forth plenty of seed It is reaped at the setting of the seuen starres and purged as Spelt and Otemeale or hulled as French Barley ¶ The place It groweth in the territories of the Bactrians in Babylon in Susium and in the lower part of Syria It groweth in those dayes not onely in those countries before named but also in the fortunate Islands and in Spaine from whence it is brought vnto vs purged and prepared as we see after the manner of French Barley It prospereth best in fenny and waterish places ¶ The time It is sowen in the Spring in India as Eratosthenes witnesseth when it is moistned with Sommer showers ¶ The Names The Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or as Theophrastus saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines keepe the Greeke word Oryza in French it is called Riz in the Germane tongue 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 in English Rice ¶ The temperature and vertues Galen saith That all men vse to stay the belly with this graine being boiled after the same manner that Chondrus is In England we vse to make with milke and Rice a certaine food or pottage which doth both meanly binde the belly and also nourish Many other good kindes of food is made with this graine as those that are skilfull in cookerie can tell CHAP. 60. Of Millet Milium Mill or Millet ¶ The Description MIlium riseth vp with many hairy stalkes knotted or jointed like wheat The leaues are long and like the leaues of the Common Reed It bringeth forth on the top of the stalke a spoky bush or mane called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like the plume or feather of the Pole reed hanging downewards of colour for the most part yellow or white in which groweth the seed small hard and glistering couered with a few thinne huskes out of which it easily falleth The roots be many and grow deep in the ground 2 Milium nigrum is like vnto the former sauing that the eare or plume of this plant is more loose and large and the seed somewhat bigger of a shining blacke colour ¶ The place It loueth light and loose mould and prospereth best in a moist and rainy time And after Columella it groweth in greatest aboundance in Campania I haue of it yearely in my garden ¶ The time It is to be sowen in Aprill and May and not before for it ioyeth in warme weather ¶ The Names It is named of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of Hippocrates Paspale as Hermolaus saith
the top small yellow floures after them doe follow small cods wherein is conteined small reddish seed 1 Barbarea Winter Cresses ¶ The Place It groweth in gardens among pot herbes and very common in the fields neere to pathes and high wayes almost euery where ¶ The Time This herbe is green all winter long it floureth in May and seedeth in Iune ¶ The Names Winter Cresse is called of the Latines Cardamum or Nasturtium Hibernum of some Barbarea and Pseudobunium the Germanes call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in lowe Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It seemeth to be Dioscorides his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say false or bastard 〈◊〉 in English winter Cresses or herbe Saint Barbara ¶ The Nature This herbe is hot and drie in the second degree ¶ The Vertues The seed of winter Cresse causeth one to make water and driueth forth grauell and helpeth the strangurie The iuyce thereof mundifieth corrupt and filthy vlcers being made in forme of an vnguent with waxe oyle and turpentine In winter when salad herbes bee scarce this herbe is thought to be equall with Cresses of the garden or Rocket This herbe helpeth the scuruie being boiled among scuruie grasse called in Latine Cochlearia causing it to worke the more effectually CHAP. 9. Of Mustard ¶ The Description 1 THe tame or garden Mustard hath great rough leaues like to those of the Turnep but rougher and lesser The stalke is round rough and hairie of three cubits high diuided into many branches whereon doe grow small yellow floures and after them long cods slender and rough wherein is contained round seed bigger then Rape seed of colour yellow of taste sharpe and biting the tongue as doth our common field mustard ‡ 2 Our ordinary Mustard hath leaues like Turneps but not so rough the stalkes are smooth and grow sometimes to three foure or siue cubits high they haue many branches and the leaues vpon these branches especially the vppermost are long and narrow and hang downeward on small stalkes the cods are short and lie flat and close to the branches and are somewhat square the seed is reddish or yellow ‡ 3 The other tame Mustard is like to the former in leaues and branched stalkes but lesser and they are more whitish and rough The floures are likewise yellow and the seed browne like the Rape seed which is also not a little sharpe or byting ‡ 4 This which I giue you bere being the Sinapi sativum alterum of Lobel and the Sinapi album of the shops growes but low and it hath rough crooked cods and whitish seeds the stalks 〈◊〉 and leaues are 〈◊〉 like the first described ‡ 5 The wilde Mustard hath leaues like those of shepheards purse but larger and more deeply indented with a stalke growing to the height of two foot bearing at the top small yellow floures made of foure leaues the cods be small and-slender wherein is contained reddish seed much smaller than any of the others but not so sharpe or biting 1 Sinapi sativum Garden Mustard 3 Sinapi sativum alterum Dod. Field Mustard ‡ 4 Sinapi album White Mustard 5 Sinapi syluestre minus Small wilde Mustard ¶ The Place ‡ Our ordinarie Mustard whose description I haue added as also the wilde and small grow wilde in many places of this kingdome and may all three be found on the bankes about the back of Old-street and in the way to Islington ‡ ¶ The Time Mustard may be sowen in the beginning of the Spring the seed is ripe in Iuly or August 〈◊〉 commeth to perfection the same yeare that it is sowen ¶ The Names The Greekes call Mustard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Athenians called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Sinapi the rude and barbarous Sinapium the Germanes 〈◊〉 the French Seneue and Moustarde the low Dutchmen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Spaniards Mostaza and Mostalla the Bohemians Horcice Pliny calls it Thlaspi whereof doubtlesse it is a kinde and some haue called it Saurion ‡ These kindes of Mustard haue beene so briefely treated of by all Writers that it is hard to giue the right distinctions of them and a matter of more difficultie than is expected in a thing so vulgarly knowne and vsed I will therefore endeauour in a few words to distinguish those kindes of mustard which are vulgarly written of 1 The first is Sinapi primum of Matthiolus and Dodonaeus and Sinapi sativum 〈◊〉 aut Rapifolio of Lobel 2 The second I cannot iustly referre to any of those which are written of by Authours for it hath not a cod like Rape as Pena and Lobel describe it nor a seed bigger than it as Dodonaeus affirmeth yet I suspect and almost dare affirme that it is the same with the former mentioned by them though much differing from their figures and description 3 The third which also I suspect is the same with the fourth is Sinapi alterum of Matthiolus and Sinapi agreste Apij aut potius Laueris folio of Lobel and Sinapi sativum alterum of Dodonaeus 4 The fourth is by Lobel called Sinapi alterum sativum and this is Sinapi album Ofsicinarum as Pena and Lobel affirme Aduers pag. 68. 5 The fifth is Sinapi syluestre of Dodonaeus and Sinapi syluestre minus 〈◊〉 pastoris folio of Lobel It is much like Rocket and therefore Bauhine fitly calls it Sinapi Erucae folio in English it may be called Small wilde Mustard ‡ ¶ The Temperature The seed of Mustard especially that which we chiefely vse doth heat and make thinne and also draweth forth It is hot and dry in the fourth degree according to Galen ¶ The Vertues The seed of Mustard pound with vineger is an excellent sauce good to be eaten with any grosse meates either fish or flesh because it doth helpe digestion warmeth the stomacke and prouoketh appetite It is giuen with good successe in like manner to such as be short winded and are stopped in the breast with tough flegme from the head and braine It appeaseth the tooth-ache being chewed in the mouth They vse to make a gargarisme with honey vineger and mustard seed against the tumours and swellings of the Vuula and the almonds about the throat and root of the tongue Mustard drunke with water and honey prouoketh the termes and vrine The seed of mustard beaten and put into the nosthrils causeth sneesing and 〈◊〉 women sicke of the mother out of their fits It is good against the falling sickenesse and such as haue the Lithargie if it be laid plaister-wise vpon the head after shauing being tempered with figs. It helpeth the Sciatica or ache in the hip or huckle bone it also cureth all manner of paines proceeding of a cold cause It is mixed with good successe with drawing plaisters and with such as waste and consume nodes and hard swellings It helpeth those that haue their haire pulled off it taketh away the blew and blacke marks that come of bruisings ‡ The seed of the white Mustard is
that hard to be cured as a dead palsie and such like The vse of it as Galen in his 11. booke of medicines according to the places affected saith is so offensiue to the firme and solide parts of the body as that they had need afterwards to be restored So also colliries or eie medicines made with Opium haue beene hurtfull to many insomuch that they haue weakned the eies and dulled the sight of those that haue vsed it what soeuer is compounded of Opium to mittigate the extreeme paines of the eares bringeth hardnesse of hearing Wherefore all those medicines and compounds are to bee shunned that are to be made of Opium and are not to be vsed but in extreme necessitie and that it is when no other mitigater or asswager of paine doth any thing preuaile as Galen in his third booke of Medicines according to the places affected doth euidently declare The leaues of poppie boiled in water with a little sugar and drunke causeth sleep or if it be boiled without sugar and the head feet and temples bathed therewith it doth effect the same The heads of Poppie boiled in water with sugar to a sirrup causeth sleepe and is good against 〈◊〉 and catarrhes that distill fal downe from the brain into the lungs easeth the cough The greene knops of Poppie stamped with barley meale and a little barrowes grease helpeth S. Anthonies fire called Ignis sacer The leaues knops and seed stamped with vineger womans milke and saffron cureth an Erysipelas another kinde of S. Anthonies fire and easeth the gout mightily and put in the fundament as a clister causeth sleepe The seed of black Poppy drunke in wine stoppeth the flux of the belly and the ouermuch flowing of womens sicknesse A Caudle made of the seeds of white poppy or made into Almond milk and so giuen causeth sleepe †It is manifest that this wilde Poppy which I haue described in the fifth place is that of which the composition Diacodium is to be made as Galen hath at large treated in his seuenth booke of Medicines according to the places affected Crito also and after him Themison and Democrates do appoint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the wilde Poppy to be in the same composition and euen that same Democritus addeth that it should be that which is not sowen and such an one is this which groweth without sowing Dod. CHAP. 74. Of Corne-Rose or wilde Poppy 1 Papauer Rhoeas Red Poppy or Corne-rose ‡ 4 Papauer spinosum Prickly Poppy ¶ The Description 1 THe stalkes of red Poppy be blacke tender and brittle somewhat hairy the leaues are cut round about with deepe gashes like those of Succory or wilde Rocket the floures grow forth at the tops of the stalks being of a beautifull and gallant red colour with blackish threds compassing about the middle part of the head which being fully growne is lesser than that of the garden Poppy the seed is small and blacke †2 There is also a kinde hereof in all 〈◊〉 agreeing with the former sauing that the floures of this are very double and beautifull and therein only consists the difference †‡ 3 There is a small kinde of red Poppy growing commonly wilde together with the first described which is lesser in all parts and the floures are of a fainter or ouerworne red inclining somewhat to orange ‡ 4 Besides these there is another rare plant which all men and that very fitly haue referred to the kindes of Poppy This hath a slender long and fibrous root from which arises a stalke some cubit high diuided into sundry branches round crested prickly and full of a white pith The leaues are diuided after the maner of horned poppy smooth with white veins prickly edges the floure is yellow and consists of foure or fiue leaues after which succeeds a longish head being either foure fiue or six cornered hauing many yellow threds incompassing it the head whilest it is tender is reddish at the top but being ripe it is blacke and it is set with many and stiffe pricks The seed is round blacke and pointed being six times as big as that of the ordinary Poppy ‡ ¶ The Place They grow in earable grounds among wheat spelt rie barley otes and other graine and in the borders of fields ‡ The double red and prickly Poppy are not to be found in this kingdome vnlesse in the gardens of some prime herbarists ‡ ¶ The Time The fields are garnished and ouerspred with these wilde poppies in Iune and August ¶ The Names †Wilde Poppy is called in Greeke of Dioscorides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Papauer erraticum 〈◊〉 according to the Greeke nameth it Papauer sluidum as also Lobel who cals it Pap. Rhoe as because the floure thereof soone falleth away Which name 〈◊〉 as may for the same cause be common not onely to these but also to the others if it be so called of the speedy falling of the floures but if it be syrnamed Rhoe as of the falling away of the seed as it appeareth then shall it be proper to that which is described in the fifth place in the foregoing chapter out of whose heads the seed easily and quickly falls as it doth also out of this yet lesse manifestly They name it in French Cocquelicot Confanons Pauot sauvage in Dutch Collen bloemen Coren rosen in high Dutch Klapper Rossen in English Red Poppy and Corne-rose ‡ 4 Some haue called this Ficus infernalis from the Italian name Figo del inferno But Clusius and Bauhine haue termed it Papauer spinosum and the later of them would haue it and that not without good reason to be Glaucium of Dioscorides 〈◊〉 3. cap. 100. And I also probably coniecture it to be the Hippomanes of Crateuas mentioned by the Greeke Scholiast of Theocritus as I haue formerly briefely declared Chap. 62. ‡ ¶ The Nature The facultie of the wilde poppies is like to that of the other poppies that is to say cold and causing sleepe ¶ The Vertues Most men being led rather by false experiments than reason commend the floures against the Pleurisie giuing to drinke as soone as the paine commeth either the distilled water or 〈◊〉 made by often infusing the leaues And yet many times it happeneth that the paine ceaseth by that meanes though hardly sometimes by reason that the spittle commeth vp hardly and with more difficultie especially in those that are weake and haue not a strong constitution of body Baptista Sardus might be counted the Author of this error who hath written That most men haue giuen the floures of this poppy against the paine of the sides and that it is good against the spitting ofbloud CHAP. 75. Of Bastard wilde Poppy ¶ The Description THe first of these bastard wilde Poppies hath slender weake stemmes a foot high rough and hairy set with leaues not vnlike to those of Rocket made of many small leaues deeply cut or iagged about the edges The floures grow at the
the whites that is to say that Mint which is described in the first place For it is found by experience that many haue had this kinde of flux staied by the continuall vse of this onely Mint the same being applied to the forehead or to the temples as Pliny teacheth doth take away the headache It is good against watering eies and all manner of breakings out in the head and against the infirmities of the fundament it is a sure remedie for childrens sore heads It is poured into the eares with honie water It is taken inwardly against Scolopenders Beare-wormes Sea-scorpions and serpents It is applied with salt to the bitings of mad dogs It will not suffer milke to cruddle in the stomacke Pliny addeth to wax soure therefore it is put in Milke that is drunke for feare that those who haue drunke thereof should be strangled It is thought that by the same vertue it is an enemy to generation by ouerthickning the seed Dioscorides teacheth that being applied to the secret part of a woman before the act it hindreth conception Garden Mint taken in meat or drinke warmeth and strengtheneth the stomacke and drieth vp all superfluous humours gathered in the same and causeth good digestion Mints mingled with the leaues of parched Barly consumeth tumors and hard swellings The water of Mints is of like operation in diuers medicines it cureth the trenching and griping paines of the belly and bowels it appeaseth headach staieth yexing and vomiting It is singular against the grauell and stone in the kidneies and against the strangurie being boiled in wine and drunke They lay it to the stinging of waspes and bees with good successe CHAP. 226. Of Nep or Cat Mint ¶ The Description 1 CAt Mint or Nep groweth high it bringeth forth stalks aboue a cubit long cornered chamfered and full of branches the leaues are broad nicked in the edges like 〈◊〉 of Bawme or of Horehound but longer The floures are of a whitish colour they partly compasse about the vppermost sprigs and partly grow on the very top they are set in a manner like an eare or catkin the root is diuersly parted and ful of strings and 〈◊〉 a long time The whole herbe together with the leaues and stalks is soft and couered with a white downe but lesser than Horse-mint it is of a sharpe smel and pearceth into the head it hath a hot taste with a certaine 〈◊〉 nesse ‡ 2 Our Authour figured this and described the next in the second place of this Chapter This hath pretty large square stalks set at each ioint with two leaues like those of Costmary but of a gray or ouerworn colour the floures grow at the tops of the stalks in long spokie tufts like those of the last described and of a whitish colour the smel is pleasanter than that of the last described ‡ 1 Mentha Felina seu Cattaria Nep or Cat-mint 2 Mentha Cattaria altera Great Cat-mint 3 There is also another kind hereof that hath a longer and narrower lease and not 〈◊〉 so white a colour the stalkes hereof are foure square the floures be more plentifull of a red light purple colour inclining to blew sprinkled with little fine purple specks the smell hereof is stronger but the taste is more biting ‡ The figure of this was formerly in the third place of the last chapter ‡ †3 Mentha Cattaria angustifolia Small Cat-Mint ¶ The Place The first growes about the borders of gardens and fields neere to rough bankes ditches and common wayes it is delighted with moist and waterie places it is brought into gardens ‡ The other two commonly grow in gardens with vs. ‡ ¶ The Time The Cat-Mints flourish by and by after the Spring they floure in Iuly and August ¶ The Names The later Herbarists do cal it Herba Cattaria and Herba Catti because the Cats are very much delighted herewith for the smel of it is so pleasant to them that they rub themselues vpon it and wallow or tumble in it and also feed on the branches and leaues very greedily It is named of the Apothecaries Nepcta but Nepeta is properly called as we haue said wilde Penny-royall in high-Dutch Katzen Muntz in Low-Dutch Catte cruijt in Italian Gattaria or herba Gatta in Spanish Yerua Gatera in English Cat Mint and Nep. ‡ The true Nepeta is Calamintha Pulegij odore ‡ ¶ The Temperature Nep is of temperature hot and dry and hath the faculties of the Calamints ¶ The Vertues It is commended against cold paines of the head stomacke and matrix and those diseases that grow of flegme and raw humors and of winde It is a present helpe for them that be bursten inwardly by meanes of some fall receiued from an high place and that are very much bruised if the iuyce be giuen with wine or mede It is vsed in baths and decoctions for women to sit ouer to bring downe their sicknesse and to make them fruitfull ‡ It is also good against those diseases for which the ordinarie Mints do serue and are vsed ‡ CHAP. 227. Of Horse-Mint or Water-Mint ¶ The Description 1 WAter Mint is a kinde of wilde Mint it is like to the first Garden M in t the leaues thereof are round the stalkes cornered both the leaues and stalkes are of a darke red colour the roots creepe far abroad but euery part is greater and the herbe it selfe is of a stronger smell the floures in the tops of the branches are gathered together into a round eare of a purple colour †2 The second kinde of water Mint in each respect is like the others sauing that the same hath a more odoriferous sauor being lightly touched with the hand otherwise being hardly touched the sauour is ouer hot to smell vnto it beareth his floures in sundry tufts or roundles ingirting the stalkes in many places and they are of a light purple colour the leaues are also lesse than those of the former and of an hoary gray colour 1 Mentha aquatica siue Sisymbrium Water Mint 2 Calamintha aquatica Water Calamint ‡ 3 Mentastrum Horse-Mint ‡ 4 〈◊〉 niueum Anglicum Party coloured Horse-Mint ‡ 5 Mentastrum minus Small Horse-Mint ‡ 6 Mentastrum montanum 1. 〈◊〉 Mountaine Horse-Mint ‡ 7 Mentastrum 〈◊〉 radice 〈◊〉 Turnep-rooted Horse-Mint 4 In some of our English gardens as 〈◊〉 and Lobel obserued growes another Horse-mint much lesse and better smelling than the last mentioned hauing the leaues partly greene and partly milke white yet sometimes the leaues are some of them wholly white but more and more commonly all greene the stalkes floures and other parts are like those of the former but lesse This is the Mentastrum 〈◊〉 Anglicum of Lobel and Mentastrum alterum of Dodonaeus 5 This growes in waterie places hauing a stalke of a cubit or cubit and halfe high set with longish hoary leaues like those of Horse-mint the floures grow in spokie tufts at the tops of the stalkes of a duskie purple
addition that it may differ from the true Melanthium for Pseudomelanthium Bastard Nigella or Cockle Hippocrates calleth it Melanthium ex Tritico of wheate Octauius Horatianus calleth that Gith which groweth among Corne and for the same cause it is named of the learned of this our time Nigellastrum Gigatho and Pseudomelanthium Ruellius saith it is called in French Niele and Flos Micancalus ¶ The Temperature The seed of Cockle is hot and dry in the later end of the second degree ¶ The Vertues The seed made in a pessarie or mother suppositorie with honey put vp bringeth 〈◊〉 the desired sicknesse as Hippocrates in his booke of womens diseases doth witnesse Octauius Horatianus giueth the seed parched and beaten to pouder to be drunke against the yellow jaundice Some ignorant people haue vsed the seed hereof for the seed of Darnell to the great danger of those who haue receiued the same what hurt it doth among 〈◊〉 the spoyle vnto bread as well in 〈◊〉 taste and vnwholesomnes is better known than desired CHAP. 445. Of Fumitorie ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers herbes comprehended vnder the title of Fumitorie some wilde and others of the garden some with bulbous or tuberous roots and others with fibrous or threddy roots and first of those whose roots are nothing but strings ¶ The Description 1 FVmitorie is a very tender little herbe the stalkes thereof are slender hauing as it were little knots or ioynts full of branches that scarse grow vp from the ground without proppings but for the most part they grow sidelong the leaues round about are small cut on the edges as those of Coriander which as well as the stalkes are of a whitish greene the floures be made vp in clusters at the tops of the small branches of a red purple colour then rise 〈◊〉 huskes round and little in which lieth the small seed the root is slender and groweth straight downe ‡ This is also found with floures of a purple violet colour and also somtimes with them white ‡ 2 The second kinde of Fumitorie hath many small long and tender branches wherupon grow little leaues commonly set together by threes or fiues in colour and taste like vnto the former hauing at the top of the branches many small clasping tendrels with which it taketh hold vpon hedges bushes and whatsoeuer groweth next vnto it the floures are small and clustering together of a white colour with a little spot in their middles after which succeed cods containing the seed the root is single and of a fingers length 3 The third kinde of Fumitorie hath a very small root consisting of diuers little strings from which arise small and tender branches trailing here and there vpon the ground beset with many small and tender leaues most finely cut and iagged like the little leaues of Dill of a deepe greene colour tending to blewnesse the floures stand on the tops of the branches in bunches or clusters thicke thrust together like those of the medow Clauer or three leafed grasse of a most bright red colour and very beautifull to behold the root is very small and threddy 1 Fumaria purpurea Common or purple Fumitory 2 Fumaria alba latifolia clauiculata White broad leafed Fumitorie 3 Fumaria 〈◊〉 Fine leafed Fumitorie 4 Fumaria lutea Yellow Fumitorie 4 The yellow Fumitorie hath many crambling threddy roots somewhat thicke grosse and fat like those of Asparagus from which rise diuers vpright stalkes a cubit high diuiding themselues toward the top into other smaller branches wheron are confusedly placed leaues like those of Thalictrum or English Rubarb but lesser and thinner alongst the tops of the branches grow yellow floures resembling those of Sage which being past there followeth small seed like vnto dust ¶ The Place The Fumitories grow in corne fields among Barley and other graine in vineyards gardens and such like manured 〈◊〉 I found the second and third growing in a corne field betweene a small village called Charleton and Greenwich ¶ The Time Fumitorie is found with his floure in the beginning of May and so continues to the end of sommer When it is in floure is the best time to gather it to keepe dry or to distill ¶ The Names Fumitorie is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and often 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Fumaria of Pliny Capnos in shops Fumus terrae in high Dutch Erdtrauch in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 Duyuen kernel in Spanish Palomilha in French and English Fumiterre ¶ The Temperature Fumitorie is not hot as some haue thought it to be but cold and something dry it openeth and clenseth by vrine ¶ The Vertues It is good for all them that haue either scabs or any other filth growing on the skinne and for them also that haue the French disease It remoueth stoppings from the liuer and spleene it purifieth the bloud and is oft times good for them that haue a quartane ague The 〈◊〉 of the herbe is vsed to be giuen or else the syrrup that is made of the iuyce the distilled water thereof is also profitable against the purposes aforesaid It is oftentimes boyled in whay and in this manner it helpeth in the end of the Spring and in Sommer time those that are troubled with 〈◊〉 Paulus Aegineta saith that it plentifully prouoketh vrine and taketh away the stoppings of the liuer and feeblenesse thereof that it strengthneth the stomacke and maketh the belly soluble Dioscorides affirmeth that the iuyce of Fumitorie of that which groweth among Barley as Aegineta addeth with gum Arabicke doth take away vnprofitable haires that pricke the eyes growing vpon the eye lids the haires that pricke being first plucked away for it will not suffer others to grow in their places The decoction of Fumitorie drunken driueth forth by vrine and siege all hot cholericke burnt and hurtfull humors and is a most singular digester of salt and pituitous humors CHAP. 446. Of bulbous Fumitorie or Hollow-root ¶ The Description 1 THe leaues of great Hollow root are iagged and cut in sunder as be those of Coriander of a light greenish colour that is to say like the gray colour of the leaues of Columbine whereunto they be also in forme like but lesser the stalks be smooth round and slender an handfull long about which on the vpper part stand little floures orderly placed long with a little horne at the end like the floures of Tode-flax of a light red tending to a purple colour the seed lieth in flat cods very soft and greenish when it is ready to yeeld vp his black shining ripe seed the root is bumped or bulbous hollow within and on the vpper part pressed down somewhat flat couered ouer with a darke yellow skin or barke with certaine strings fastned thereto and of a bitter and austere taste 2 The second is like vnto the first in each respect sauing that it bringeth floures of a white colour and the other not so 3 The small
vomiting and stanch the spitting vp of bloud they strengthen the stomacke Of the same effect be the floures both of the tame and wilde Pomegranate tree being like to the seeds in temperature and vertues They fasten the teeth and strengthen the gums if the same be washed therewith They are good against burstings that come by falling downe of the guts if they be vsed in plaisters and applied The rinde or pill is not onely like in facultie to the seeds and both the sorts of floures but also more 〈◊〉 for it cooleth and 〈◊〉 more forceably it bringeth downe the hot swellings of the almonds in the throat 〈◊〉 vsed in a gargarisme or a lotion for the throat and it is a singular remedy for all things that need cooling and binding Dioscorides writeth that there is also gathered a iuice out of both those sorts of floures which is very like in facultie and vertue to Hypocistis as the same Author affirmeth The blossomes of the tame and wilde Pomegranates as also the rinde or shell thereof made into pouder and drunke in red wine or boyled in red wine 〈◊〉 the decoction drunke is good against the bloudy flix and all other issues of bloud yea it is good for women to sit ouer bathe themselues in the decoction hereof these foresaid blossomes and shels are good also to put into restraining pouders for the stanching of bloud in wounds The seeds or stones of Pomegranats dried in the Sun and beaten to pouder are of like operation with the floures they stop the laske and all issues of bloud in man or woman being taken in the manner aforesaid CHAP. 97. Of the Quince Tree ¶ The Kindes COlumella maketh three kindes of Quinces Struthia Chrysomeliana and 〈◊〉 but what manner ones they be hee doth not declare notwithstanding wee finde diuers sorts differing as well in forme as taste and substance of the fruit wherof some haue much core and many kernels and others 〈◊〉 Malus Cotonca The Quince tree ¶ The Description THe Quince tree is not great but groweth low and many times in maner of a shrub it is couered with a rugged barke which hath on it now and then certaine scales it spreadeth his boughes in compasse like other trees about which stand leaues somewhat round like those of the common Apple tree greene and smooth aboue and vnderneath soft and white the floures be of a white purple colour the fruit is like an apple saue that many times it hath certaine embowed and swelling diuisions it differeth in fashion and bignesse for some Quinces are lesser and round trust vp together at the top with wrinkles others longer and greater the third sort be after a middle manner betweene both they are all of them set with a thin cotton or freeze and be of the colour of gold and hurtfull to the head by reason of their strong smell they all likewise haue a kinde of choking taste the pulp within is yellow and the seed blackish lying in hard skins as doe the kernels of other apples ¶ The Place The Quince tree groweth in gardens and orchards and is planted oftentimes in hedges and fences belonging to gardens vineyards it delighteth to grow on plaine and euen grounds and somewhat moist withall ¶ The Time These apples be ripe in the fall of the leafe and chiefely in October ¶ The Names The tree is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Malus Cotonea in English Quince tree The fruit is named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Malum Cotoneum Pomum Cydonium and many times Cydonium without any addition by which name it is made known to the Apothecaries it is called in high Dutch Quitten Quittenopfell or Kuttenopffel in low Dutch Queappel in Italian Mele cotogne in Spanish Codoyons Membrilhos and Marmellos in French Pomme de coing in English Quince ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Quinces be cold and dry in the second degree and also very much binding especially when they be raw they haue likewise in them a certaine superfluous and excrementall moisture which will not suffer them to lie long without rotting they are seldom eaten raw being rosted or baked they be more pleasant They strengthen the stomacke stay vomiting stop lasks and also the bloudy flix They are good for those that spit vp bloud or that vomit bloud and for women also that haue too great plenty of their monethly courses Simeon Sethi writeth that the woman with childe which eateth many Quinces during the time of her breeding shall bring forth wise children and of good vnderstanding The Marmalade or Cotiniate made of Quinces and sugar is good and profitable for the strengthening of the stomacke that it may retaine and keepe the meat therein vntill it be perfectly digested it likewise stayeth all kindes of fluxes both of the belly and other parts and also of bloud which Cotiniate is made in this manner Take faire Quinces pare them cut them in pieces and cast away the core then put vnto euery pound of Quinces a pound of sugar and to euery pound of sugar a pinte of water these must bee boiled together ouer a still fire till they be very soft then let it be strained or rather rubbed through a strainer or an hairy sieue which is better and then set it ouer the fire to boile againe vntill it be stiffe and so box it vp and as it cooleth put thereto a little Rose water and a few graines of Muske well mingled together which will giue a goodly taste vnto the Cotiniat This is the way to make Marmalade Take whole Quinces and boile them in water vntill they be as soft as a scalded codling or apple then pill off the skin and cut off the flesh and stampe it in a stone morter then straine it as you did the Cotiniate afterward put it into a pan to drie but not to seeth at all and vnto euery pound of the flesh of Quinces put three quarters of a pound of sugar and in the cooling you may put in rose water and a little Muske as was said before There is boiled with Quinces oile which therefore is called in Greeke Melinon or oile of Quinces which we vse saith 〈◊〉 so oft as we haue need of a binding thing The seed of Quinces tempered with water doth make a 〈◊〉 or a thing like 〈◊〉 which being held in the mouth is maruellous good to take away the roughnesse of the tongue in hot burning seuers The same is good to be layed vpon burnings or scaldings and to be put into clisters against the bloudy flix for it easeth the paine of the guts and alaieth the sharpnesse of biting 〈◊〉 Many other excellent dainty and wholesome confections are to be made of Quinces as ielly of Quinces and such odde conceits which for breuitie sake I do now let passe CHAP. 98. Of the Medlar Tree ¶ The Kindes THere are diuers sorts of Medlars some greater others lesser some sweet and others of a 〈◊〉 harsh taste some with
Grasse and vsually of our English women it is called Lady-laces or painted Grasse in French Aiguillettes d'armes ¶ The Nature and Vertues The vertues are referred vnto the Dogs-grasses CHAP. 20. Of Dew-Grasse ¶ The Description 1 DEw-grasse hath very hard and tough roots long and fibrous the stalkes are great of three or foure cubits high very rough and hairy ioynted and kneed like the common Reed the leaues are large and broad like vnto corne The 〈◊〉 or eare is diuided into sundry branches chaffie and of a purple colour wherein is contained seed like Milium wherewith the Germanes do make pottage and such like meat as we in England do with Otemeale and it is sent into Middleborough and other townes of the Low-countries in great quantitie for the same purpose as Lobel hath told me 2 The second kinde of Dew-grasse or Ischaemon is somewhat like the first kinde of Medow-grasse resembling one the other in leaues and stalkes sauing that the crest or tust is spred or stretched out abroad like a Cocks foot set downe vpon the ground whereupon it was called Galli 〈◊〉 by Apuleius These tops are cleere and vpright of a glistering purple colour or rather violet and it is diuided into foure or fiue branches like the former Dew-grasse The root consists of a great many small fibres ‡ 3 To these may fitly be added another Grasse which Clusius hath iudged to be the medicinall Grasse of the Antients and Lobel referres it to the Dogs grasses because it hath a root iointed thicke and creeping like as the Dogs-grasses the stalkes are some foot high round and of a purplish colour but the top is very like to that of the last described of a darke purple colour 1 Gramen Mannae esculentum Dew-grasse 2 Ischaemon vulgare Cocks-foot grasse ¶ The Place and Time 1 The first groweth naturally in Germanie Bohemia Italy and in the territories of 〈◊〉 and Carinthia as Matthiolus reporteth 2 The second groweth neere vnto rough bankes of fields as I haue seene in the hilly bankes neere Greenhithe in Kent It differeth not in time from those we haue spoken of ‡ 3 Gramen dactiloides radice repente Cocks-foot Grassewith 〈◊〉 roots ‡ 3 This groweth plentifully in most parts of Spaine and France and it is probable that this was the grasse that our Author found neere Greenhithe in Kent ¶ The Names 1 The Germanes call it 〈◊〉 That is to say Coeli ros whereupon it was called Gramen Mannae it seemeth to be Milij syluestris spurium quoddam genus a certaine wilde or bastard kinde of Millet Leonicenus and Ruellius name it Capriola and Sanguinaria some would haue it to be Gramen 〈◊〉 Plinij but because the description thereof is very short nothing can be certainly affirmed But they are far deceiued who thinke it be Coronopus as some very learned haue set downe but euery one in these dayes is able to controll that errour Lobel calleth it Gramen Mannae esculentum for that in Germany and other parts as 〈◊〉 and Italy they vse to eate the same as a kind of bread-corne and also make pottage therewith as wee do with Otemeale for the which purpose it is there sowen as Corne and sent into the Low-countries and there sold by the pound In English it may be called Manna-grasse or Dew-grasse but more fitly Rice-grasse 2 This is iudged to be Ischaemon of Pliny and Galli crus of Apuleius ¶ The 〈◊〉 These Grasses are astringent and drying in 〈◊〉 sweet like the common Dogs-grasse ¶ The Vertues Apuleius saith if a plaister be made of this Grasse Hogs grease and leuen of household bread it cureth the biting of mad dogs As in the description I told you this plant in his tuft or eare is diuided into sundry branches some tuft into three some foure and some fiue clouen parts like Cocks toes Apuleius reporteth If ye take that eare which is diuided onely into three parts it wonderfully helpeth the running or dropping of the eyes and those that begin to be bleare eyed being bound about the necke and so vsed for certaine dayes together it turneth the humors away from the weake part ‡ Manna Grasse or Rice-grasse is said to be very good to be put into pultesses to discusse hard swellings in womens brests The Cocks-foot Dogs-grasse is very good in all cases as the other Dogs-grasses are and equally as 〈◊〉 ‡ ¶ CHAP. 21. Of diuers Cyperus Grasses ¶ The Description ‡ 1 THe first of these hath reasonable strong fibrous roots from whence rise stiffe long and narrow leaues like those of other Cyperus Grasses the stalkes also as it is proper to all the plants of this kindred are three square bearing at their tops some three brownish eares soft and chaffie like the rest of this kinde and standing vpright and not hanging downe as some others do 2 This hath pretty thicke creeping blacke roots from whence arise three square stalkes set with leaues shorter yet broader than those of the last described and from the top of the stalke come forth three or foure foot-stalkes whereupon doe hang longish rough scaly and yellowish heads ‡ 1 Gramen Cyperoides angustifolium majus Great narrow leaued Cyperus Grasse ‡ 2 Pseudocyperus Bastard Cyperus ¶ 3 Cyperus longus inodorus syluestris Long Bastard Cyperus 4 This Cyperus hath creeping blacke roots hauing here and there knotty tuberous heads for the most part putting vp leaues like those of the last described as also a stalke bearing at the top long chaffy eares like to some others of this kinde 5 This Cyperus Grasse hath pretty thicke fibrous and blacke roots from whence ariseth a stalke some cubit high pretty stiffe triangular ioynted set at each ioynt with a large greene leafe which at the bottome incompasses the stalke which is omitted in the figure At the top of the stalke as in the true Cyperus come forth two or three pretty large leaues betweene which rise vp many small foot-stalkes very much branched and bearing many blacke seeds somewhat like Millet or rushes ¶ The Place and Time All these grow in ditches and 〈◊〉 places and are to be found with their heads about the middle of Sommer and some of them sooner ¶ The Names The first of these by Lobel is called Gramen palustre majus 2 This by Gesuer Lobel and Dodonaeus is called Pseudocyperus 3 Lobel names this Cyperus longus inodor us syluestris 4 He also calls this Cyperus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5 This is the Cyperus graminea 〈◊〉 of Lobel and Pena the Iuncus latus in the Histor. Lugd. pag. 988. and the Pseudocyperus polycarpos of Thalius ‡ 4 Cypcrus rotundus inodorus syluestris Round Bastard Cyperus ‡ 5 Cyperus gramineus miliaceus Millet Cyperus grasse ¶ The Temper and Vertue None of these are made vse of in physicke but by their taste they seeme to be of a cold and astringent qualitie ‡ ‡ CHAP. 22. Of diuers other Grasses ¶ The Description ‡ 1 THis Ote or Hauer-grasse described by Clusius
and Triangularis of others Aspalathum and 〈◊〉 in French Souchet in Dutch Galgan in Spanish Iunco odorosa By vs Cyperus and English Galangall ‡ ¶ The names in particular 1 This is called Cyperus longus and Cyperus longus Oderatior in English Common Cyperus and English Gallingall 2 This is called Cyperus rotundus vulgaris Round English Galangall 3 Cyperus rotundus Cyriacus or Aegyptiacus Syrian or Aegyptian round Cyperus 4 Cyperus minor Creticus Candy round Cyperus 5 Cyperus rotundus inodorus Littoreus Round Salt-marsh Cyperus or Galingale ‡ ¶ The nature Dioscorides saith That Cyperus hath an heating qualitie Galen saith The roots are most effectual in medicine and are of an heating and drying qualitie and some doe reckon it to be hot and dry in the second degree ¶ The vertues It maketh a most profitable drinke to breake and expell grauell and helpeth the dropsie If it be boyled in wine and drunke it prouoketh vrine driueth forth the stone and bringeth downe the naturall sicknesse of women The same taken as aforesaid is a remedie against the stinging and poyson of Serpents Fernelius saith The root of Cyperus vsed in Baths helpeth the coldnesse and stopping of the matrix and prouoketh the termes He writeth also that it increaseth bloud by warming the body and maketh good digestion wonderfully refreshing the spirits and exhilarating the minde comforting the senses and encreasing their liuelinesse restoring the colour decayed and making a sweet breath The powder of Cyperus doth not onely dry vp all moist vlcers either of the mouth priuy members and fundament but stayeth the humor and healeth them though they be maligne and virulent according to the iudgement of Fernelius ‡ CHAP. 25. Of Jtalian Trasi or Spanish Galingale 1 Cyperus Esculentus sine Caule flore Italian Trasi or Spanish Galingall without stalke and floure 2 Cyperus Esculentus sine Trasi Italorum Italian Trasi or Spanish Galingall ‡ 1 THe Italian Trasi which is here termed Spanish Galingale is a plant that hath many small roots hanging at stringy fibers like as our ordinary Dropwort roots do but they are of the bignesse of a little Medlar and haue one end flat and as it were crowned like as a Medlar and it hath also sundry streakes or lines seeming to diuide it into seueral parts it is of a brownish colour without and white within the taste thereof is sweet almost like a Chesnut The leaues are very like those of the garden Cyperus and neuer exceed a cubit in length Stalkes flowers or seed it hath none as Iohn Pona an Apothecary of Verona who diligently obserued it nigh to that city whereas it naturally growes affirmes but he saith there growes with it much wild Cyperus which as he judges hath giuen occasion of their error who giue it the stalkes and flowers of Cyperus or English Galingale as Matthiolus and others haue done It is encreased by setting the roots first steeped in water at the beginning of Nouember I haue here giuen you the figure of it without the stalke according to Pona and with the stalke according to Matthiolus and others ¶ The Names The Italian Trasi is called in Greeke by Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hist. plant 4. cap. 10. as Fabius Columna hath proued at large Pliny termes it Anthalium the later writers Cyperus Esculentus and Dulcichinum The Italians Trasi and Dolzolini by which names in Italy they are cryed vp and downe the streets as Oranges and Lemmons are here ¶ The 〈◊〉 and vertues The milke or creame of these Bulbous rootes being drunke mundifies the brest and lungs wherefore it is very good for such as are troubled with coughs Now you must beat these roots and macerate them in broth and then presse out the creame through a linnen cloath which by some late Writers is commended also to be vsed in venereous potions The same creame is also good to be drunke against the heate and sharpnesse of the vrine especially if you in making it do adde thereto the seeds of Pompions Gourds and Cucumbers The Citisens of Verona eate them for dainties but they are somewhat windy ‡ ‡ CHAP. 26. Of the true Galingale the greater and the lesser ‡ 1 Galanga major The greater Galingale ‡ 2 Galanga minor The lesser Galingale THe affinitie of name and nature hath induced me in this place to insert these two the bigger and the lesser Galingale first therefore of the greater ¶ The Description 1 The great Galingale whose root onely is in vse and brought to vs from Iava in the East Indies hath flaggy leaues some two cubits high like these of Cats-taile or Reed-mace the root is thicke and knotty resembling those of our ordinary flagges but that they are of a more whitish colour on the inside and not so large Their tast is very hot and biting and they are somwhat reddish on the outside 2 The lesser growing in China and commonly in shops called Galingale without any addition is a small root of a brownish red colour both within and without the taste is hot and biting the smell aromaticall the leaues if we may beleeue Garcias ab Horto are like those of Myrtles ¶ The Names 1 The first is called by Matthiolus Lobell and others Galanga major Some thinke it to be the Acorus of the Ancients and Pena and Lobell in their Stirp Aduers question whither it be not the Acorus Galaticus of Dioscorides But howsoeuer it is the Acorus of the shops and by many vsed in Mithridate in stead of the true The Indians call it Lancuaz 2 The lesser is called Galanga and Galanga minor to distinguish it from the precedent The Chinois call it 〈◊〉 the Indians Lancuaz we in England terme it Galingale without any addition ¶ Their temper and vertue These roots are hot and dry in the third degree but the lesser are somewhat the hotter They strengthen the stomacke and mitigate the paines thereof arising from cold and flatulencies The smell especially of the lesser comforts the too cold braine the substance thereof being chewed sweetens the breath It is good also against the beating of the heart They are vsefull against the Collicke proceeding of flatulencies and the flatulent affects of the wombe they conduce to venery and heate the too cold reines To conclude they are good against all cold diseases ‡ ‡ CHAP. 27. Of Turmericke THis also challengeth the next place as belonging to this Tribe according to Dioscorides yet the root which onely is brought vs and in vse doth more on the outside resemble Ginger but that it is yellower and not so flat but rounder The inside thereof is of a Saffron colour the taste hot and bitterish it is said to haue leaues larger than those of Millet and a leafie stalke There is some varietie of these roots for some are longer and others rounder and the later are the hotter and they are brought ouer oft times together with Ginger ¶ The place It growes naturally in the East-Indies
vertues Such is the facultie of the roots of all the Irides before named that being pounding they prouoke 〈◊〉 and purge the head generally all the kinds haue a heating 〈◊〉 quality Xyris Stinking Gladdon They are effectuall against the cough they easily digest and consume the grosse humors which are hardly concocted they purge choler and tough flegme they procure sleepe and helpe the gripings within the belly It helpeth the Kings Euill and Buboes in the groine as Pliny saith If it be drunke in Wine it prouoketh the termes and being put in Baths for women to sit ouer it prouoketh the like effects most exquisitly The root put in manner of a pessarie hastneth the birth They couer with flesh bones that be bare being vsed in plaisters The roots boyled soft and vsed plaisterwise 〈◊〉 all old hard tumours and the 〈◊〉 of the throat called Strumae that is the Kings Euill and emplaistered with honey it draweth out broken bones The meale thereof healeth all the rifts of the fundament and the infirmities thereof called Condilomata and openeth Hemorrhoides The juice sniffed or drawne vp into the nose prouoketh sneesing and draweth downe by the nose great store of filthy excrements which would fall into other parts by secret and hidden waies and 〈◊〉 of the channels It profiteth being vsed in a pessarie to prouoke the termes and will cause abortion It preuaileth much against all euill affections of the brest and lungs being taken in a little sweet wine with some Spiknard or in Whay with a little Masticke The Root of Xyris or Gladdon is of great force against wounds and fractures of the head for it draweth out all thornes stubs prickes and arrow-heads without griefe which qualitie it effecteth as 〈◊〉 saith by reason of his tenuitie of parts and of his attracting drying and digesting facultie which chiefely consisteth in the seed or fruit which mightily prouoketh vrine The root giuen in Wine called in physicke Passum profiteth much against Convulsions Ruptures the paine of the huckle bones the strangury and the flux of the belly Where note That whereas it is said that the potion aboue named stayeth the flux of the belly hauing a purging qualitie it must be vnderstood that it worketh in that manner as Rhabarbarum and Asarum do in that they concoct and take away the cause of the laske otherwise no doubt it moueth vnto the stoole as Rheubarb Asarum and the other Irides do Hereof the Countrey people of Somersetshire haue good experience who vse to drinke the decoction of this Root Others do take the infusion thereof in ale or such like wherewith they purge themselues and that vnto very good purpose and effect The seed thereof mightily purgeth by vrine as Galen saith and the country people haue found it true CHAP. 44. Of Ginger ¶ The Description 1 GInger is most impatient of the coldnesse of these our Northerne Regions as my selfe haue found by proofe for that there haue beene brought vnto me at seuerall times sundry plants thereof fresh greene and full of juyce as well from the West Indies as from Barbary and other places which haue sprouted and budded forth greene 〈◊〉 in my garden in the heate of Sommer but as soone as it hath been but touched with the first sharp blast of Winter it hath presently perished both blade and root The true forme or picture hath not before this time beene set forth by any that hath written but the World hath beene deceiued by a counterfeit figure which the reuerend and learned Herbarist Matthias Lobell did set forth in his Obseruations The forme whereof notwithstanding I haue here expressed with the true and vndoubted picture also which I receiued from Lobelius his owne hands at the impression hereof The cause of whose former errour as also the meanes whereby he got the knowledge of the true Ginger may appeare by his owne words sent vnto me in Latine which I haue here inserted His words are these How hard and vncertaine it is to describe in words the true proportion of Plants hauing no other guide than skilfull but yet deceitfull formes of them sent from friends or other meanes they best do know who haue deepliest waded in this sea of Simples About thirty yeares past or more an honest and expert Apothecarie William Dries to satisfie my desire sent me from Antwerpe to London the picture of Ginger which he held to be truly and liuely drawne I my selfe gaue him credit easily because I was not ignorant that there had bin often Ginger roots brought greene new and full of juice from the Indies to Antwerpe and further that the same had budded and growne in the said Dries Garden But not many yeares after I perceiued that the picture which was sent me by my Friend was a 〈◊〉 and before that time had been drawne and set forth by an old Dutch Herbarist Therefore not suffering this error any further to spred abroad which I discouered not many yeares past at Flushing in Zeeland in the Garden of William of Nassau Prince of Orange of famous memorie through the means of a worthy person if my memorie faile me not called Vander Mill at what time he opened and loosed his first young buds and shoots about the end of Sommer resembling in leaues and stalkes of a foot high the young and tender shoots of the common Reed called Harundo vallatoria I thought it conuenient to impart thus much vnto Master Iohn Gerard an expert Herbarist and Master of happy successe in Surgerie to the end he might let posteritie know thus much in the painefull and long laboured trauels which now he hath in hand to the great good and benefit of his Countrey The plant it selfe brought me to Middleborrough and set in my Garden perished through the hardnesse of the Winter Thus much haue I set downe truly translated out of his owne words in Latine though too fauourably by him done to the commendation of my meane skill 1 〈◊〉 ficta Icon. The feigned figure of 〈◊〉 1 Zinziberis verior Icon. The true figure of Ginger ¶ The place Ginger groweth in Spaine Barbary in the Canary Islands and the Azores Our men which sacked Domingo in the Indies digged it vp there in sundry places wilde ¶ The time Ginger flourisheth in the hot time of Sommer and loseth his leaues in Winter ¶ The Names Ginger is called in Latine Zinziber and Gingiber in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In French Gigembre ¶ The nature Ginger heateth and drieth in the third degree ¶ The vertues Ginger as Dioscorides reporteth is right good with meate in sauces or otherwise in conditures for it is of an heating and digesting qualitie it gently looseth the belly and is profitable for the stomacke and effectually opposeth it selfe against all darknesse of the sight answering the qualities and effects of Pepper It is to be considered That canded greene or condited Ginger is hot and moist in qualitie prouoking Venerie and being dried it heateth and
drieth in the third degree CHAP. 45. Of Aromaticall Reeds 2 Acorus verus officinis falsò Calamus cumjulo The true Acorus with his floure Acorus verus sine julo The true Acorus without the floure ¶ The Description 1 THis sweet-smelling Reed is of a darke dun colour full of joints and knees easie to be broken into small splinters hollow and full of a certaine pith cobweb-wife somewhat gummy in eating and hanging in the teeth and of a sharpe bitter taste It is of the thicknesse of the little finger as Lobelius affirmeth of some which he had seene in Venice 2 Bastard Calamus hath flaggy leaues like vnto the Water floure de-luce or flagge but narrower three foot long of a fresh greene colour and aromaticke smell which they keepe a long time although they be dried Now the stalke which beares the floure or fruit is much like another lease but onely from the fruit downwards whereas it is somewhat thicker and not so broad but almost triangular The floure is a long thing resembling the Cats-tailes which grow on Hasels it is about the thicknesse of an ordinarie Reed some inch and halfe long of a greenish yellow colour curiously chequered as if it were wrought with a needle with greene and yellow silke intermixt †I haue not as yet seene it beare his tuft in my garden and haue read that it is barren and by proofe haue seene it so yet for all that I beleeue Clusius who saith hee hath seene it beare his floure in that place where it doth grow naturally although in England it is altogether barren The root is sweet in smell and bitter in taste and like vnto the common Flagge but smaller and not sored 3 Calamus Aromaticus Antiquorum The true Aromaticall Reed of the Antients ‡ 3 I thinke it very fitting in this place to acquaint you with a Plant which by the conjecture of the most learned and that not without good reason is iudged to be the true Calamus of the Ancients Clusius giues vs the historie thereof in his Notes vpon Garcias ab Horto lib. 1. ca. 32. in these words When as saith he this Historie was to be the third time printed I very opportunely came to the knowledge of the true Calamus Aromaticus the which the learned Bernard Paludanus the Frisian returning from Syria and Aegypt freely bestowed vpon me together with the fruit Habhel and many other rare seeds about the beginning of the yeare 1579. Now wee hauc caused a figure to be exactly drawne by the fragments thereof for that it seemes so exquisitly to accord with Dioscorides his description In myne opinion it is rather to be iudged an vmbelliferous plant than a reedy for it hath a straight stalke parted with many knots or ioynts otherwise smooth hollow within and inuested on the inside with a slender filme like as a Reed and it breaketh into shiuers or splinters as Dioscorides hath written it hath a smell sufficiently strong and the taste is gratefull yet bitter and pertaking of some astriction The leaues as by remaines of them might appeare seeme by couples at cuery ioynt to engirt the stalke the root at the top is somewhat tuberous and then ends in fibres Twenty fiue yeares after Paludanus gaue me this Calamus the learned Anthony Coline the Apothecarie who lately translated into French these Commentaries the fourth time set forth Anno 1593 sent me from Lyons pieces of the like Reed certifying me withall That he had made vse thereof in his Composition of Treacle Now these pieces though in forme they resembled those I had from Paludanus yet had they a more bitter taste than his nether did they partake of any astriction which peraduenture was to be attributed to the age of one of the two Thus much Clusius ‡ ¶ The place The true Calamus Aromaticus groweth in Arabia and likewise in Syria especially in the moorish grounds betweene the foot of Libanus †and another little hill not the mountaine Antilibanus as some haue thought in a small valley neere to a lake whose plashes are dry in Sommer Pliny 12. 22. †Bastard or false Calamus growes naturally at the foot of a hill neere to Prusa a city of Bithynia not far from a great lake It prospereth exceeding well in my garden but as yet it beareth neither floures nor stalke It groweth also in Candia as Pliny reporteth in Galatia likewise and in many other places ¶ The time They lose their leaues in the beginning of Winter and do recouer them againe in the Spring of the yeare ‡ In May this yeare 1632 I receiued from the Worshipfull Gentleman M. Thomas Glynn of Glynnlhivon in Carnaruanshire my very good friend the pretty Iulus or floure of this plant which I could neuer see here about London though it groweth with vs in many Gardens and that in great plenty ‡ ¶ The Names ‡ The want of the true Calamus being supplied by Acorus as a 〈◊〉 was the cause as Pena and Lobell probably coniecture that of a substitute it tooke the prime place vpon it and being as it were made a Vice-Roy would needs be King But the falsenesse of the title was discouered by Matthiolus and others and so it is sent backe to its due place againe though notwithstanding it yet in shops retaines the title of Calamus 1 The figure that by our Author was giuen for this is supposed and that as I thinke truly to be but a counterfeit of Marthiolus his inuention who therein hath beene followed according to the custome of the world by diuers others The description is of a small Reed called Calamus oderatus Libani by Lobell in his Obseruations and figured in his Irones p. 54. 2 This is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Greekes by some according to Apulcius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine it is called Acorus and Acorum and in shops as I haue formerly said Calamus Aromaticus for they vsually take Galang a major described by me Chap. 26. for Acorus It may besides the former names be fitly called in English The sweet Garden Flag 3 This is iudged to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Dioscorides the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus that is the true Calamus Aromaticus that should be vsed in Compositions ‡ ¶ The nature of the true Acorus or our sweet garden Flag Dioscorides saith the roots haue an heating facultie Galen and Pliny do affirme that they haue thin and subtill parts both hot and dry ¶ The vertues of the same The decoction of the root of Calamus drunke prouoketh vrine helpeth the paine in the side liuer spleene and brest convulsions gripings and burstings it easeth and helpeth the pissing by drops It is of great effect being put in broth or taken in fumes through a close stoole to prouoke womens naturall accidents The iuyce strained with a little honey taketh away the dimnes of the eyes and helpeth much against poyson
Asphodill ¶ The time They floure in May and Iune most of the leaues thereof remaine greene in the Winter if it be not extreme cold ¶ The Names Some of the later Herbarists thinke this yellow Asphodill to be Iphyon of Theophrastus and others iudge it to be Erizambac of the Arabians In Latine it is called Asphodelus luteus of 〈◊〉 it is called 〈◊〉 Regia We haue Englished it the Speare for a King or small yellow Asphodill 2 The Lancashire Asphodill is called in Latine Asphodelus Lancastriae and may likewise be called Asphodelus palustris or Pseudoasp hodelus luteus or the Bastard yellow Asphodill ‡ 3 This is Asphodelus minimus luteus palustris Scoticus Lancastriensis of Lobell and the Pseudoasphodelus pumilio folijs Iridis of Clusius as farre as I can iudge although Bauhine distinguisheth them ‡ ¶ The temperature and vertues It is not yet found out what vse there is of any of them in nourishment or medicines CHAP. 72. Of Onion Asphodill Asphodelus Bulbosus Onion Asphodill ¶ The Description THe bulbed Asphodill hath a round bulbus or Onion root with some fibres hanging thereat from the which come vp many grassie leaues very well resembling the Leeke among the which leaues there riseth vp a naked or 〈◊〉 stem garnished toward the top with many 〈◊〉 floures of a whitish greene on the inside and wholly greene without consisting of six little leaues sharpe pointed with certaine chiues or threads in the middle After the floure is past there succeedeth a small knop or head three square wherein lieth the seed ¶ The place It groweth in the gardens of Herbarists in London and not elsewhere that I know of for it is not very common ¶ The time It floureth in Iune and Iuly and somewhat after ¶ The Names The stalke and floures being like to those of the Asphodill before mentioned do shew it to be Asphodeli species or a kinde of Asphodill for which cause also it seemeth to be that Asphodil of which Galen hath made mention in his second book of the Faculties of nourishments in these words The root of Asphodill is in a manner like to the root of Squill or Sea Onion as well in shape as bitternes Notwithstanding saith Galen my selfe haue known certaine countrymen who in time of famine could not with many boilings and steepings make it fit to be eaten It is called of Dodonaens Asphodelus foemina and Asphodelus Bulbosus Hyacintho-Asphodelus and Asphodelus Hyacinthinus by Lobell and that rightly for that the root is like the Hyacinth and the floures like the Asphodill and therefore as it doth participate of both kindes so likewise doth the name in English we may call it Bulbed Asphodill Clusius calls it Ornithogalum majus and that fitly ¶ The nature The round rooted Asphodil according to Galen hath the same temperature and vertue that Aron Arisarum and Dracontium haue namely an abstersiue and cleansing qualitie ¶ The vertues The yong sprouts or springs thereof is a singular medicine against the yellow Iaundise for that the root is of power to make thin and open Galen saith that the ashes of this Bulbe mixed with oile or hens grease cureth the falling of the haire in an Alopecia or scalld head CHAP. 73. Of Yellow Lillies ¶ The kindes BEcause we shall haue occasion hereafter to speake of certaine Cloued or Bulbed Lillies wee will in this chapter entreat onely of another kinde not bulbed which likewise is of two sorts differing principally in their roots for in floures they are Lillies but in roots Asphodils participating as it were of both though neerer approching vnto Asphodils than Lillies 1 Lilium non bulbosum The yellow Lillie 2 Lilium non bulbosum Phoeniceum The Day-Lillie ¶ The Description 1 THe yellow Lillie hath very long flaggie leaues chamfered or channelled hollow in the middest like a gutter among the which riseth vp a naked or bare stalke two cubits high branched toward the top with sundry brittle armes or branches whereon do grow many goodly floures like vnto those of the common white Lillie in shape and proportion of a shining yellow colour which being past there succeed three cornered huskes or cods full of blacke shining seeds like those of the Peonie The root consisteth of many knobs or tuberous clogs proceeding from one head like those of the white Asphodill or Peonie 2 The Day-Lillie hath stalkes and leaues like the former The floures be like the white Lillie in shape of an Orenge tawny colour of which floures much might be said which I omit But in briefe this plant bringeth forth in the morning his bud which at noone is full blowne or spred abroad and the same day in the euening it shuts it selfe and in a short time after becomes as rotten and stinking as if it had beene trodden in a dunghill a moneth together in foule and rainie weather which is the cause that the seed seldome followes as in the other of his kinde not bringing forth any at all that I could euer obserue according to the old prouerbe Soone ripe soone rotten His roots are like the former ¶ The place These Lillies do grow in my garden as also in the gardens of Herbarists and louers of fine and rare plants but not wilde in England as in other countries ¶ The time These Lillies do floure somewhat before the other Lillies and the yellow Lillie the soonest ¶ The Names Diuers do call this kinde of Lillie Liliasphodelus Liliago and also Liliastrum but most commonly Lilium non bulbosum In English Liriconfancie and yellow Lillie The old Herbarists name it Hemerocallis for they haue two kindes of Hemerocallis the one a shrub or woody plant as witnesseth Theophrastus in his sixth booke of the historie of Plants Pliny setteth downe the same shrub among those plants the leaues whereof onely do serue for garlands The other Hemerocallis which they set downe is a Floure which perisheth at night and buddeth at the Sunnerising according to 〈◊〉 and therefore it is fitly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Faire or beautifull for a day and so we in English may rightly terme it the Day-Lillie or Lillie 〈◊〉 a day ¶ The nature The nature is rather referred to the Asphodils than to Lillies ¶ The vertues Dioscorides saith That the root stamped with honey and a mother pessarie made thereof with wooll and put vp bringeth forth water and bloud The leaues stamped and applied do allay hot swellings in the dugges after womens trauell in childe-bearing and likewise taketh away the inflammation of the eyes The roots and the leaues be laid with good successe vpon burnings and scaldings CHAP. 73. Of Bulbed Floure de-Luce ‡ 1 〈◊〉 Bulbosa Latifolia Broad leaued Bulbous Floure de-luce 2 Iris Bulbosa Anglica Onion Floure de-Luce ¶ The kindes LIke as we haue set downe sundry sorts of Floure de-luces with flaggy leaues and tuberous or knobby roots varying very notably in sundry respects which we haue distinguished in their
My selfe speake by proofe who haue cured of that infectious disease a great many diuers of which had couered or kept vnder the sickenesse by the helpe of Tabaco as they thought yet in the end haue beene constrained to haue vnto such an hard knot a crabbed wedge or else had vtterly perished Some vse to drinke it as it is tearmed for wantonnesse or rather custome and cannot forbeare it no not in the midst of their dinner which kind of taking is vnwholesome and very dangerous although to take it seldome and that Physically is to be tolerated and may do some good but I commend the syrrup aboue this 〈◊〉 or smokie medicine It is taken of some physically in a pipe for that purpose once in a day at the most and that in the morning fasting against paines in the head stomacke and griefe in the brest and lungs against catarrhes and rheumes and such as haue gotten cold and hoarsenesse Some haue reported that it little preuaileth against an hot disease and that it profiteth an hot complexion nothing at all but experience hath not shewed it to bee iniurious vnto either They that haue seene the proofe hereof haue credibly reported that when the Moores and Indians haue fainted either for want of food or rest this hath beene a present remedie vnto them to supplie the one and to helpe them to the other The priests and Inchanters of the hot countries do take the fume thereof vntill they be 〈◊〉 that after they haue lien for dead three or foure houres they may tell the people what wonders visions or illusions they haue seene and so giue them a propheticall direction or foretelling 〈◊〉 we may trust the Diuell of the successe of their businesse The 〈◊〉 or distilled water of the first kind is very good against catarrhes the dizzinesse of the head and rheumes that fall downe the eies against the paine called the Megram if either you applie it vnto the temples or take one or two greene leaues or a dry lease 〈◊〉 ed in wine and dried cunningly vpon the embers and laid thereto It cleereth the sight and taketh away the webs and 〈◊〉 thereof being annointed with the iuice bloud warme The oile or iui ce dropped into the eares is good against deaseness a cloth dipped in 〈◊〉 same and laid vpon the face taketh away the lentils rednesse and spots thereof Many notable medicines are made hereof against the old and inueterate cough against 〈◊〉 or pectorall griefes which if I should set downe at large would require a peculiar Volume It is also giuen to such as are accustomed to swoune and are troubled with the Collicke and windinesse against the Dropsie the Wormes in children the Piles and the Sciatica It is vsed in outward medicines either the herbe boiled with oile waxe rosin and turpentine as before is set downe in yellow Henbane or the extraction thereof with salt oile balsame the distilled water and such like against tumours apostumes old vlcers of hard curation botches scabbes stinging with nettles carbuncles poisoned arrowes and wounds made with gunnes or any other weapon It is excellent good in burnings and scaldings with fire water oile lightning or such like boiled with Hogges greace in forme of an Ointment which I haue often prooued and found most true adding a little of the iuice of thorne apple leaues spreading it vpon a cloth and so applying it I doe make hereof an excellent balsame to cure deepe wounds and punctures made by some narrow sharpe pointed weapon Which balsame doth bring vp the flesh from the bottome verie speedily and also heale simple cuts in the flesh according to the first intention that is to glew or soder the lips of the wound together not procuring matter or corruption vnto it as is commonly seene in the healing of wounds The receit is this Take oile of roses oile of S. Iohns 〈◊〉 of either one pinte the leaues of Tabaco stamped small in a stone morter two pounds boile them together to the consumption of the iuice straine it and put it to the fire againe adding thereto of Venice Turpentine two ounces of Olibanum and masticke of either halfe an ounce in most fine and subtill pouder the which you may at all times make an vnguent or salue by putting thereto wax and rosin to giue vnto it a stiffe body which worketh exceeding well in maligne and virulent vlcers as in wounds and punctures I send this iewell vnto you women of all sorts especially to such as cure and helpe the poore and impotent of your Countrey without reward But vnto the beggerly rabble of witches charmers and such like couseners that regard more to get money than to helpe for charitie I wish these few medicines far from their vnderstanding and from those deceiuers whom I wish to be ignorant herein But courteous gentlewomen I may not for the malice that I doe beare vnto such hide any thing from you of such importance and therefore take one more that followeth wherewith I haue done very many and good cures although of small cost but regard it not the lesse for that cause Take the leaues of Tabaco two pound hogges grease one pound stampe the herbe small in a stone morter putting thereto a small cup full of red or claret wine stir them well together couer the morter from filth and so let it rest vntill morning then put it to the fire and let it boile gently continually stirring it vntill the consumption of the wine straine it and set it to the fire againe putting thereto the 〈◊〉 of the herbe one pound of Venice turpentine foure ounces boile them together to the consumption of the iuice then adde therto of the roots of round Aristolochia or Birthwoort in most fine pouder two ounces sufficient waxe to giue it a body the which keep for thy wounded poore neighbour as also the old and filthy vlcers of the legs and other parts of such as haue need of helpe †The figures were formerly transposed CHAP. 69. Of Tree Nightshade Amomum Plinij Tree Nightshade ¶ The Description THis rare and pleasant Plant called tree Nightshade is taken of some to be a kinde of Ginnie pepper but not rightly of others for a kinde of Nightshade whose iudgement and censure I gladly admit for that it doth more fitly answer it both in the forme and nature It groweth vp like vnto a small shrubbe or wooddy hedge bush two or three cubits high couered with a greenish barke set with many small twiggie branches and garnished with many long leaues very greene like vnto those of the Peach tree The floures are white with a certaine yellow pricke or pointell in the middle like vnto the floures of garden Nightshade After which succeede small round berries verie red of colour and of the same substance with Winter Cherries wherein are contained little flat yellow seeds The root is compact of many small 〈◊〉 yellow strings ¶ The Place It groweth not wilde in these cold regions but we
and mightily dry but because it is soure it likewise cutteth tough humors The iuyce hereof in Sommer time is a profitable sauce in many meats and pleasant to the taste it cooleth an hot stomacke moueth appetite to meate tempereth the heate of the liuer and openeth the stoppings thereof The leaues are with good successe added to decoctions which are vsed in Agues The leaues of Sorrell taken in good quantitie stamped and strained into some Ale and a posset made thereof cooleth the sicke body quencheth the thirst and allayeth the heate of such as are troubled with a pestilent feuer hot ague or any great inflammation within The leaues sodden and eaten in manner of a Spinach tart or eaten as meate sostneth and loosneth the belly and doth attemper and coole the bloud exceedingly The seed of Sorrell drunke in grosse red wine stoppeth the laske and bloudy flix CHAP. 85. Of Bistort or Snake-weed ¶ The Description 1 THe great Bistort hath long leaues much like Patience but smaller and more wrinkled or crumpled on the vpper side of a darke greene and vnderneath of a blewish greene colour much like Woad The stalke is long smooth and tender hauing at the top a spiked knap or eare set full of small whitish floures declining to carnation The root is all in a lumpe without fashion within of a reddish colour like vnto flesh in taste like the kernell of an Acorne 2 The small Bistort hath leaues about three inches long and of the bredth of a mans naile the vpper side is of a greene colour and vnderneath of an ouerworne greenish colour amongst the which riseth vp a stalke of the height of a spanne full of ioynts or knees bearing at the top such floures as the great Bistort beareth which being fallen the seeds appeare of the bignes of a tare reddish of colour euery seed hauing one small greene leafe fastned thereunto with many such leaues thrust in among the whole bunch of floures and seed The root is tuberous like the other but smaller and not so much crooked 1 Bistorta major Snake-weed 2 Bistorta minor Small Snake-weed 3 Broad leaued Snake-weed hath many large vneuen leaues smooth and very greene among which rise vp small brittle stalkes of two hands high bearing at the top a faire spike of floures like vnto the great Bistort The root is knobby or bunched crookedly turned or wrythed this way and that way whereof it tooke his name Bistorta ‡ It differs from the first onely in that the root is somewhat more twined in and the leaues broader and more crumpled ‡ ¶ The Place 1 The great Bistort groweth in moist and waterie places and in the darke shadowie Woods and is very common in most gardens 2 The small Bistort groweth in great aboundance in Westmerland at Crosby Rauenswaith at the head of a Parke belonging to one Mr. Pickering from whence it hath beene dispersed into many gardens as also sent vnto me from thence for my garden ¶ The Time They floure in May and the seed is ripe in Iune ¶ The Names Bistorta is called in English Snake-weed in some places Oisterloit in Cheshire Passions and Snake-weed and there vsed for an excellent Pot-herbe It is called Bistorta of his wrythed roots and also Colubrina Serpentaria Brittanica Dracontion Plinij Dracunculus Dodonaei and Limonium 〈◊〉 ¶ The Nature Bistort doth coole and dry in the third degree ¶ The Vertues The iuyce of Bistort put into the nose preuaileth much against the Disease called Polypus and the biting of Serpents or any venomous beast being drunke in Wine or the water of Angelica The root boyled in wine and drunke stoppeth the laske and bloudy flix it stayeth also the ouermuch flowing of womens monethly sicknesses The root taken as aforesaid stayeth vomiting and healeth the inflammation and sorenesse of the mouth and throat it likewise fastneth loose teeth being holden in the mouth for a certaine space and at sundry times CHAP. 86. Of Scuruy-Grasse or Spoon-wort ¶ The Description 1 ROund leaued Scuruy-Grasse is a low or base herbe it bringeth forth leaues vpon smal stems or foot-stalks of a meane length comming immediately from the root very many in number of a shining greene colour somewhat broad thicke hollow like a little spoone but of no great depth vneuen or cornered about the edges among which leaues spring vp small stalkes of a spanne high whereon doe grow many little white floures after which commeth the seed small and reddish contained in little round pouches or seed-vessels the roots be small white and threddy The whole plant is of a hot and spicie taste 2 The common Scuruy-grasse or Spoone-wort hath leaues somewhat like a spoone hollow in the middle but altogether vnlike the former the leaues hereof are bluntly toothed about the edges sharpe pointed and somewhat long the stalkes rise vp among the leaues of the length of halfe a foot whereon do grow white floures with some yellownesse in the middle which being past there succeed small seed-vessels like vnto a pouch not vnlike to those of Shepheards purse greene at the first next yellowish and lastly when they be ripe of a browne colour or like a filberd nut The root is small and tender compact of a number of threddy strings very thicke thrust together in manner of a little turfe ¶ The Place The first groweth by the sea side at Hull at Boston and Lynne and in many other places of Lincolnshire neere vnto the sea as in Whaploade and Holbecke Marshes in Holland in the same Country It hath beene found of late growing many miles from the sea side vpon a great hill in Lancashire called Ingleborough hill which may seeme strange vnto those that do not know that it will be content with any soile place or clyme whatsoeuer for proofe whereof my selfe haue sowen the seeds of it in my garden and giuen them vnto others with whom they floure flourish and bring forth their seed as naturally as by the sea side and likewise retaine the same hot spicie taste which proueth that they refuse no culture contrary to many other sea-plants The second which is our common scuruie grasse groweth in diuers places vpon the brimmes of the famous riuer Thames as at Woolwich Erith Greenhithe Grauesend as well on the Essex shore as the Kentish at Portsmouth Bristow and many other places alongst the Western coast but toward the North I haue not heard that any of this kinde hath growne ¶ The Time It floureth and flourisheth in May. The seed is ripe in Iune 2 Cochlearia rotundifolia Round leafed Scuruie grasse 2 Cochlearia Britannica Common English Scuruie grasse ¶ The Names †We are not ignorant that in low Germany this hath seemed to some of the best learned to be the true Britannica and namely to those next the Ocean in Friesland and Holland The Germanes call it 〈◊〉 that is Cochlearia or Spoonwort by reason of the compassed roundnes and hollownes of the leaues like a spoone
Lobell calls Alismapusillum Angustifolium muricatum and in the Hist. Lugd. it is called Damasonium stellatum ‡ The third is named Plantago aquatical humilis that is the low water Plantaine ‡ I thinke it fit here to restore this plant to his antient dignitie that is his names and titles wherewith he was anciently 〈◊〉 by Dioscorides and Pliny The former whereof calls it by sundry names and all very significant and proper as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thus many are Greek and therefore ought not to be reiected as they haue been by some without either reason or authoritie For the barbarous names we can say nothing now it is said to be called Limonium because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it growes in wet or ouerflowen medowes it is called Neuroides because the leafe is composed of diuers strings or fibres running from the one end thereof to the other as in Plantain which therfore by Dioscordies is termed by the same reason 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Also it may be as fitly termed Lonchitis sor the similitude which the leafe hath to the top or head of a lance which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly signifies as that other plant described by Dios. lib. 3. cap. 161. for that the seed a lesse eminent part resembles the same thing And for Potamogeiton which signifies a neighbour to the Riuer or water I thinke it loues the water aswell and is as neere a neighbour to it as that which takes it's name from thence and is described by Dioscorides lib. 4. cap. 101. Now to come to Pliny lib. 20. cap. 8. he calls it Beta silvestris Limonion and Neuroides the two later namesare out of Dioscorides and I shall shew you where also you shall finde the former in him Thus much I thinke might serue for the vindication of my assertion sor I dare boldly affirme that no late writer can fit all these names to any other plant and that makes me more to wonder that all our late Herbarists as Matthiolus Dodonaeus 〈◊〉 Caesalpinus Daleschampius but aboue all Pena and Lobell who Aduers pag. 126. call it to question should not allow this plant to be Limonium especially seing that Anguillara had before or in their time asserted it so to be but whether he gaue any reasons or no for his assertion I cannot tell because I could neuer by any meanes get his Opinions but only finde by Bauhine his Pinax that such was his opinion hereof But to returne from whence I digrest I will giue you Dioscorides his description and a briefe explanation thereof and so desist it is thus It hath leaues like a Beet thinner and larger 10. or more a stalke slender straight and as tall as that of a Lilly and full of seeds of an astringent taste The leaues of this you see are larger than those of a Beet and thin and as I formerly told you in the names neruous which to be so may be plainely gathered by Dioscorides his words in the description of white Hellebore whose leaues he compares to the leaues of Plantaine and the wilde Beet now there is no wild Beet mentioned by any of the Antients but only this by Pliny in the place 〈◊〉 quoted nor no leafe more fit to compare those of white Hellebore to than those of water Plantaine especially sor the nerues and fibres that run alongst the leaues the stalke also of this is but slender considering the height and it growes straight and as high as that of a Lilly with the top plentirifully stored with astringent seed so that no one note is wanting in this nor scarse any to be found in the other plants that many haue of late set forth for Limonium ‡ ¶ The Nature Water Plantaine is cold and dry of temperature ¶ The Vertues The leaues of water Plantaine as some Authors report are good to be laid vpon the legs of such as are troubled with the Dropsie and hath the same propertie that the land Plantaine hath ‡ Dioscordies and Galen commend the seed hereof giuen in Wine against 〈◊〉 Dysenteries the spitting of bloud and ouermuch flowing of womens termes Pliny saith the leaues are good against burnes ‡ CHAP. 97. Of Land Plantaine 1 Plantago latifolia Broad leaued Plantaine 2 Plantago incana Hoarie Plantaine ¶ The Description 1 AS the Greekes haue called some kindes of Herbes Serpents tongue Dogs tongue and Oxe tongue so haue they termed a kind of Plantaine Arnoglosson which is as if you should say Lambes tongue very well knowne vnto all by reason of the great commoditie and plenty thereof growing euery where and therefore it is needlesse to spend time about them The greatnesse and fashion of the leaues hath been the cause of the varieties and diuersities of their names 2 The second is like the first kinde and differeth in that that this kinde of Plantaine hath greater but shorter spikes or knaps and the leaues are of an hoarie or ouerworne greene colour the stalkes are likewise hoary and hairy 3 The small Plantaine hath many tender leaues ribbed like vnto the great Plantaine and is very like in each respect vnto it sauing that it is altogether lesser 4 The spiked Rose Plantaine hath very few leaues narrower than the leaues of the second kinde of Plantaine sharper at the ends and further growing one from another It beareth a very double floure vpon a short stem like a rose of a greenish colour tending to yellownesse The seed groweth vpon a spikie tuft aboue the highest part of the plant notwithstanding it is but very low in respect of the other Plantaines aboue mentioned 4 Plantago Rosea spicata Spiked Rose Plantaine 5 Plantago Rosea exotica Strange Rose Plantaine ‡ 6 Plantago panniculis sparsis Plantaine with spoky tufts 5 The fifth kinde of Plantaine hath beene a stranger in England and elsewhere vntill the impression hereof The cause why I say so is the want of consideration of the beauty which is in this plant wherein it excelleth all the other Moreouer because that it hath not bin written of or recorded before this present time though plants of lesser moment haue beene very curiously set forth This plant hath leaues like vnto them of the former and more orderly spred vpon the ground like a Rose among which rise vp many small stalks like the other plantaines hauing at the top of euery one a fine double Rose altogether vnlike the former of an hoary or rusty greene colour ‡ I take this set forth by our Author to be the same with that which Clusius receiued from Iames Garret the yonger from London and therefore I giue you the figure thereof in this place together with this addition to the historie out of Clusius That some of the heads are like those of the former Rose Plantaine other some are spike fashion and some haue a spike growing as it were out of the midst of the Rose and some heads are otherwise shaped also the whole plant is more hoary than the common Rose
leaues cut about the edges like the teeth of a sawe and so like the leaues of nettles that it is hard to know the one from the other but by touching them The floures are hollow hairy within and of a perfect blew colour bell fashion not vnlike to the Couentry bells The root is white thicke and long lasting ‡ There is also in some Gardens kept a variety hereof hauing double floures ‡ 2 The white Canterbury bells are so like the precedent that it is not possible to distinguish them but by the colour of the floures which of this plant is a milke white colour and of the other a blew which setteth forth the difference 4 Trachelium minus Small Canterbury bells ‡ 5 Trachelium majus petroeum Great Stone Throtewort ‡ Our Author much mistaking in this place as in many other did againe figure and describe the third and fourth and of them made a fift and sixt calling the first Trachelium Giganteum and the next Viola Calathiana yet the figures were such as Bauhine could not coniecture what was meant by them and therefore in his 〈◊〉 he saith Trachelium Giganteum Viola 〈◊〉 apud Gerardum quid but the descriptions were better wherefore I haue omitted the former description and here giuen you the later ‡ 3 Giants Throtewort hath very large leaues of an ouerworne greene colour hollowed in the middle like the Moscouites spoone and very rough slightly intended about the edges The stalke is two cubits high whereon those leaues are set from the bottome to the top from the bosome of each leafe commeth forth one slender footestalke whereon doth grow a faire and large floure fashioned like a bell of a whitish colour tending to purple The pointed corners of each floure turne themselues backe like a scrole or the Dalmatian cap in the middle whereof commeth forth a sharpe stile or clapper of a yellow colour The root is thicke with certaine strings annexed thereto 4 The smaller kinde of Throtewort hath stalkes and leaues very like vnto the great Throtewoort but altogether lesser and not so hairy from the bosome of which leaues shoot forth very beautifull floures bell fashion of a bright purple colour with a small pestle or clapper in the middle and in other respects is like the precedent ‡ 5 This from a wooddy and wrinkled root of a pale purple colour sends forth many rough crested stalkes of some cubit high which are vnorderly set with leaues long rough and snipt lightly about their edges being of a darke colour on the vpper side and of a whitish on their vnder part At the tops of the stalkes grow the floures being many and thicke thrust together white of colour and diuided into fiue or seuen parts each floure hauing yellowish threds and a pointall in their middles It floures in August and was first set forth and described by Pona in his description of Mount Baldus ‡ ¶ The Place The first described and sometimes the second growes very plentifully in the low woods and hedge-rowes of Kent about Canterbury Sittingborne Grauesend Southfleet and Greenehyth especially vnder Cobham Parke-pale in the way leading from Southfleet to Rochester at Eltham about the parke there not farre from Greenwich in most of the pastures about Watford and Bushey fifteene miles from London ‡ 3 The third was kept by our Author in his Garden as it is also at this day preserued in the garden of Mr. Parkinson yet in the yeere 1626 I found it in great plenty growing wilde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bankes of the Riuer Ouse in Yorkshire as I went from Yorke to visite Selby the place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was borne being ten miles from thence ‡ The fourth groweth in the medow next vnto Ditton ferrie as you goe to Windsore vpon 〈◊〉 chalky hills about Greenehithe in Kent and in a field by the high way as you go from thence to Dartford in Henningham parke in Essex and in Sion medow neere to Brandford eight miles from London The fifth growes on Mount Baldus in Italy ¶ The Time All the kindes of bell floures do floure and flourish from May vntill the beginning of August except the last which is the plant that hath been taken generally for the Calathian violet which floureth in the later end of September notwithstanding the Calathian violet or Autumne violet is of a most bright and pleasant blew or azure colour as those are of this kinde although this plant sometimes changeth his colour from blew to whitenesse by some one accident or other ¶ The Names 1 2 Throtewoort is called in Latine Ceruicaria and Ceruicaria major in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of most Vuularia of Fuchsius Campanula in Dutch Halscruyt in English Canterburie bells Haskewoorte Throtewoort or Vuula woort of the vertue it hath against the paine and swelling thereof ‡ 3 This is the Trachelium majus Belgarum of Lobell and the same as I before noted that our Author formetly set forth by the name of Trachelium Giganteum so that I haue put them as you may see together in the title of the plant 4 This is the Trachelium maius of Dodonoeus Lobell and others the Ceruicaria minor of Tabernamontanus and 〈◊〉 of Tragus Our Author gaue this also another figure and description by the name of Viola 〈◊〉 not knowing that it was the last saue one which he had described by the name of Trachelium minus ‡ ¶ The Temperature These plants are cold and dry as are most of the Bell floures ¶ The Vertues The Antients for any thing that we know haue not mentioned and therefore not set downe any thing concerning the vertues of these Bell floures notwithstanding we haue found in the later writers as also of our owne experience that they are excellent good against the inflammation of the throte and Vuula or almonds and all manner of cankers and vlcerations in the mouth if the mouth and throte be gargarized and washed with the decoction of them and they are of all other herbes the chiefe and principall to be put into lotions or washing waters to iniect into the priuy parts of man or woman being boiled with hony and Allom in water with some white wine CHAP. 117. Of Peach-bells and Steeple-bells ¶ The Description 1 THe Peach-leaued Bell-floure hath a great number of small and long leaues rising in a great bush out of the ground like the leaues of the Peach tree among which riseth vp a stalke two cubits high alongst the stalke grow many floures like bells sometime white and for the most part of a faire blew colour but the bells are nothing so deepe as they of the other kindes and these also are more dilated or spred abroad than any of the rest The seed is small like Rampions and the root a tuft of laces or small strings 2 The second kinde of Bell-floure hath a great number of faire blewish or Watchet floures like the other last before mentioned growing vpon goodly tall stems two cubits and a halfe
the waters in all places for the most part The seuenth groweth in Yorkshire in a place called the Hooke neer vnto a close called a Cow pasture from whence I had these plants which doe grow in my garden very goodly to behold for the decking vp of houses and gardens ‡ The eighth I haue not yet found growing The ninth growes wild in some places of this kingdome but I haue seene it only in Gardens The tenth growes by the ponds and waters sides in Saint Iames his Parke in Tuthill fields and many other places ‡ The eleuenth groweth hard by the Thames as you goe from a place called the Diuels Neckerchiefe to Redreffe neere vnto a stile that standeth in your way vpon the Thames banke among the plankes that doe hold vp the same banke It groweth also in a ditch side not farre from the place of execution called Saint Thomas Waterings ‡ The other varieties of this grow in wet places about ditches and in woods and such like moist grounds ‡ ¶ The Time These herbes floure in Iune and Iuly and oftentimes vntill August ¶ The Names Lysimachia as Dioscorides and Pliny write tooke his name of a speciall vertue that it hath in appeasing the strife and vnrulinesse which falleth out among oxen at the plough if it bee put about their yokes but it rather retaineth and keepeth the name Lysimachia of King Lysimachus the sonne of Agathocles the first finder out of the nature and vertues of this herb as Pliny saith in his 25. book chap. 7. which retaineth the name of him vnto this day and was made famous by Erasistratus Ruellius writeth that it is called in French Cornelle and Corneola in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Latines Lysimachium of Pliny Lysimachia of the later Writers Salicaria in high Dutch 〈◊〉 in English Willow herbe or herbe Willow and Loose strife Chamaenerium is called of Gesner Epilobton in English Bay Willow or bay yellow herbe ‡ The names of such as I haue added haue been sufficiently set sorth in their titles and Histories ‡ ¶ The Nature The yellow Lysimachia which is the chiefe and best for Physicke vses is cold and drie and very astringent ¶ The Vertues The iuice according to Dioscordies is good against the bloudy flix being taken either by potion or Clister It is excellent good for greene wounds and stancheth the bloud being also put into the nosthrils it stoppeth the bleeding at the nose The smoke of the burned herbe driueth away serpents and killeth flies and gnats in a house which Pliny speaketh of in his 25. book chap. 8. Snakes saith he craull a way at the smell of Loos-strife The same Authour affirmeth in his 26 booke last chap. that it dieth haire yellow which is not very vnlike to be done by reason the floures are yellow The others haue not been experimented wherefore vntill some matter worthy the 〈◊〉 doth offer it selfe vnto our consideration I will omit further to discourse her 〈◊〉 The iuice of yellow Lysimachia taken inwardly stoppeth all fluxe of bloud and the Dysenteria or bloudy flix The iuice put into the nose stoppeth the bleeding of the same and the bleeding of wounds and mightily closeth and healeth them being made into an vnguent or salue The same taken in a mother suppositorie of wooll or cotton bound vp with threds as the manner thereof is well knowne to women staieth the inordinate flux or ouermuch flowing of womens termes It is reported that the fume or smoke of the herbe burned doth driue away flies and gnats and all manner of venomous beasts CHAP. 130. Of Barren-woort Epimedium Barren Woort ¶ The Description THis rare and strange plant was sent to me from the French Kings Herbarist Robinus dwelling in Paris at the signe of the blacke head in the street called Du bout du Monde in English The end of the world This herbe I planted in my garden in the beginning of May it came sorth of the ground with small hard woodie crooked stalks whereupon grow rough sharpe pointed leaues almost like Alliaria that is to say Sauce alone or lacke by the hedge Lobel and Dod. say that the leaues are somewhat like Iuie but in my indgement they are rather like Alliaria somewhat snipt about the edges and turning themselues flat vpright as a man turneth his hand vpwards when hee receiueth money Vpon the same stalkes come forth small floures consisting of soure leaues whose outsides are purple the edges on the inner side red the bottomeyellow the middle part of a bright red colour and the whole floure somewhat hollow The root is smal and creepeth almost vpon the vppermost face of the earth It beareth his seed in very small cods like Saracens Consound ‡ to wit that of our Author 〈◊〉 described pag. 274. ‡ but shorter which came not to ripenesse in my garden by reason that it was dried away with the extreme and vnaccustomed heat of the Sun which happened in the yeare 2590. since which time from yeare to yeare it bringeth seed to perfection Further Dioscorides and Pliny do report that it is without floure or seed ¶ The place †It groweth in the moist medowes of Italie about Bononia and Vincentia it groweth in the garden of my friend Mr. Iohn Milion in Old-street and some other gardens about towne ¶ The Time It floureth in Aprill and May when it hath taken sast hold and setled it selfe in the earth a yeare before ¶ The Names It is called Epimedium I haue thought good to call it Barren woort in English not because that Dioscorides saith it is barren both of floures and seeds but because as some authors affirme being drunke it is an enemie to conception ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Galen affirmeth that it is moderately cold with a waterie moisture we haue as yet no vse hereof in Physicke ‡ CHAP. 131. Of Fleabane ‡ 1 Conyza maior Great Fleawoort ‡ 2 Conyza minor vera Small Fleabane ‡ THe smalnesse of the number of these plants here formerly mentioned the confusion notwithstanding in the figures their nominations historie not oneagreeing with another hath caused me wholly too mit the descriptions of our Authour and to giue you new agreeable to the figures together with an addition of diuers other plants 〈◊〉 to this kindred Besides there is one thing I must aduertise you of which is that our Authour in the first place described the Bacchar is Monspeliensium of Lobel or Conyza maior of Matthiolus it is that which grows in Kent and Essex on chalkie hils yet he gaue no figure of it but as it were forgetting what he had don allotted it a particular chap. afterwards where also another figure was put for it but there you shall now finde it though I must confesse that this is as sit or a fitter place for it but I will follow the course of my Authour whose matter not method I indeauour to amend ¶ The Description 1 This great
Greece and also in the 〈◊〉 of the Mediterranian sea as in Crete which now is called Candy Rhodes Zant others neither is Spainc without it for as 〈◊〉 Clusius witnesseth it groweth in many places of Portingale otherwise it is cherished in earthen pots In cold countries and such as 〈◊〉 Northward as in both the Germanies it neither groweth of it selfe nor yet lasteth long though it be carefully planted and diligently looked vnto but through the extremitie of the weather and the ouermuch cold of winter it perisheth ¶ The Time The stalke of the first doth at length flourc after the Summer Solstice which is in 〈◊〉 about Saint Barnabies day and now and than in the moneth of August but in Aprill that is to say after the aequinoctiall in the spring which is about a moneth after the spring is begun there grow out of this among the leaues small strings which are the ground-work of the circles by which being at length full growne it spreadeth it selfe into very many circles 2 Housleeke that groweth like a tree doth floure in Portingale at the beginning of the yeere presently after the winter Solstice which is December about S. Lucies day ¶ The Names The first is commonly called Iovis barba or Iupiters beard and also Sedum maius vulgare the Germanes call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they of the Low-countries Donderbaert the Hollanders 〈◊〉 the French-men Ioubarbe the Italians 〈◊〉 maggiore the Spaniards 〈◊〉 yerua pentera the English-men Housleeke and Sengreene and Aygrcene of some Iupiters eie Bullocks 〈◊〉 and Iupiters beard of the Bohemians Netreske Many take it to be 〈◊〉 altera Disocoridis but we had rather haue it one of the Sengreenes for it is continually greene and alwaies flourisheth and is hardly hurt by the extremity of winter The other without doubt is 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Semperuivum magnum or Sedum majus great Housleek or Sengreen Apulcius calleth it Vitalis and Semperflorium it is also named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ¶ The Temperature The great Housleeks are cold in the third degree they are also dry but not much by reason of the watery essence that is in them ¶ The Vertues They are good against Saint Anthonies fire the shingles and other creeping vlcers and inflammations as Galen saith that proceed of rheumes and fluxes and as Dioscorides teacheth against the inflammations 〈◊〉 fiery heate in the eyes the leaues saith Pliny being applied or the juice laid on are a remedy for rheumatike and watering eies They take away the fire in burnings and scaldings and being applied with Barly meale dried do take away the paine of the gout Dioscoridcs teacheth that they are giuen to them that are troubled with a hot laske that they likewise driue forth wormes of the belly if they be drunke with wine The juice put vp in a pessary do stay the fluxes in women proceeding of a hot cause the leaues held in the mouth do quench thirst in hot burning feauers The juice mixed with Barly meale and vineger preuaileth against S. Anthonies fire all hot burning and fretting 〈◊〉 and against scaldings burnings and all inflammations and also the gout comming of an hot cause The iuice of Housleeke Garden Nightshade and the buds of Poplar boiled in Axungia porci or hogs grease maketh the most singular Populeon that euer was vsed in Chirurgerie The iuice hereof taketh away cornes from the toes and feet if they be washed and bathed 〈◊〉 and euery day and night as it were implaistered with the skin of the same Housleeke which certainly taketh them away without incision or such like as hath beene experimented by my very good friend Mr. Nicholas Belson a man painefull and curious in searching forth the secrets of Nature The decoction of Housleeke or the iuice thereof drunke is good against the bloudie flixe and cooleth the inflammation of the eies being dropped thereinto and the bruised hearbe layed vpon them CHAP. 143. Of the Lesser Housleekes or Prickmadams 1 Sedum minus haematoides Pricke-madame 2 Sedum minus Officinarum White floured Prickmadam ¶ The Description 1 THe first of these is a very little herb creeping vpon the ground with many slender stalks which are compassed about with a great number of leaues that are thicke ful of ioints little long sharpe pointed inclining to a greene blew There rise vp among these little stalkes a handful high bringing forth at the top as it were a shadowie tuft and in these fine yellow floures the root is full of strings ‡ 3 Sedum minus aectivum Small Sommer Sengreene ‡ 4 Sedum minus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Small large 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ‡ 5 Sedum medium teretifolium Small 〈◊〉 ‡ 6 〈◊〉 Scorpioides Scorpion Sengreene ‡ 7 Sedum Portlandicum Portland Sengreene ‡ 8 Sedum petraeum Small rocke Sengreene 3 There is a small kinde of Stonecrop which hath little narrow leaues thicke sharpe pointed and tender stalkes full of fattie iuice on the top whereof doe grow small yellowe floures Starre fashion The roote is small and running by the ground 4 There is likewise another Stonecrop called Frog Stonecrop which hath little tufts of leaues rising from small and and threddie rootes creeping vpon the ground like vnto Kali or Frog-grasse from the which tufts of leaues riseth a slender stalke set with a few such like leaues hauing at the top prettie large yellow floures the smalnesse of the plant beeing considered ‡ 5 This is like that which is described in the second place but that the stalks are lesser and not so tall and the floures of this are star fashioned and of a golden yellow colour ‡ 6 There is another Stonecrop or Prickmadam called Aizoon Scorpioides which is altogether like the great kinde of Stonecrop and differeth in that that this kinde of Stonecrop or Prickmadam hath his tuft of yellow floures turning again not much vnlike the taile of a Scorpion resembling Myositis Scorpioides and the leaues somewhat thicker and closer thrust together The root is small and tender 7 There is a plant called Sedum Portlandicū or Portland Stonecrop of the English Island called Portland lying in the South coast which hath goodly branches and a rough rinde The leaues imitate Laureola growing among the Tithymales but thicker shorter more fat and tender The stalke is of a wooddy substance like Laurcola participating of the kindes of Crassula Semperviuum and the Tithymales whereof wee thinke it to bee a kinde yet not daring to deliuer any vncertaine sentence it shall be lesse preiudiciall to the truth to account it as a 〈◊〉 degenerating from both kindes ‡ Pena and Lobel who first set this foorth knewe not verie well what they should say thereof nor any since them wherefore I haue onely giuen you their figure put to our Authours description ‡ 8 There is a plant which hath receiued his name Sedum Petraeum because it doth for the most part grow vpon the rocks mountains such like stonie places hauing very smal leaues comming
the precedent but differeth in the floures for those of this plant are white and the others of a perfect blew colour wherein is the difference †3 Neuer dying Borage hath manie verie broad leaues rough and hairie of a blacke darke greene colour among which rise vp stiffe hairie stalkes whereupon doe grow faire 〈◊〉 floures somewhat rounder pointed than the former the root is blacke and lasting hauing leaues both winter and Sommer and hereupon it was called Semper virens and that very properly to distinguish it from the rest of this kinde which are but annuall ‡ 1 Borago hortensis Garden Borage 2 Borago flore albo White floured Borage 3 Borago semper virens Neuer dying Borage 4 There is a fourth sort of Borage that hath leaues like the precedent but thinner and lesser rough and hairy diuiding it selfe into branches at the bottom of the plant whereupon are placed faire red floures wherein is the chiefest difference between this and the last described ‡ The figure which belonged to this description was put hereafter for Lycopsis Anglica ‡ ¶ The Place These grow in my garden and in others also ¶ The Time Borage floures and flourishes most part of all Sommer and till Autumne be far spent ¶ The Names Borage is called in shops Borago of the old Writers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is called in Latine Lingua Bubula Pliny calleth it Euphrosinum because it maketh a man merry and ioyfull which thing also the old verse concerning Borage dothtestifie Ego Borago gaudia semper ago I Borage bring alwaies courage It is called in high Dutch 〈◊〉 in Italian Boragine in Spanish Boraces in low Dutch 〈◊〉 in English Borage ¶ The Temperature It is euidently moist and not in like sort hot but seemes to be in a meane betwixt hot and cold ¶ The Vertues Those of our time do vse the floures in sallads to exhilerate and make the mind glad There be also many things made of them vsed euery where for the comfort of the heart for the driuing away of sorrow and encreasing the ioy of the minde The leaues boyled among other pot-herbes do much preuaile in making the belly soluble they being boyled in honied water be also good against the roughnesse of the throat and hoarsenesse as Galen teacheth The leaues and floures of Borage put into Wine make men and women glad and merry and driue away all sadnesse 〈◊〉 and melancholy as Dioscorides and Pliny affirme Syrrup made of the floures of Borage comforteth the heart purgeth melancholy and quieteth the phrenticke or lunaticke person The floures of Borage made vp with sugar do all the aforesaid with greater force and effect Syrrup made of the iuyce of Borage with sugar adding thereto pouder of the bone of a Stags heart is good against swouning the cardiacke passion of the heart against melancholy and the falling sicknesse The root is not vsed in medicine the leaues eaten raw ingender good bloud especially in those that haue been lately sicke CHAP. 283. Of Buglosse ¶ The Kindes LIke as there be diuers sorts of Borage so are there sundry of the Buglosses notwithstanding after Dioscorides Borage is the true Buglosse many are of opinion and that rightly that they may be both referred to one kinde yet will we diuide them according to the custome of our time and their vsuall denominations 1 Buglossa vulgaris Common Buglosse or Garden Buglosse 2 Buglossum luteum Lang de beefe ¶ The Description 1 THat which the Apothecaries call Buglosse bringeth forth leaues longer than those of Borage sharpe pointed longer than the leaues of Beets rough and hairy The stalke groweth vp to the height of two cubits parted aboue into sundry branches whereon are orderly placed blewish floures tending to a purple colour before they be opened and afterward more blew The root is long thicke and grosse and of long continuance ‡ 3 Buglossa syluestris minor Small wilde Buglosse 2 Lang de Beefe is a kinde hereof altogether lesser but the leaues hereof are rougher like the rough tongue of an oxe or cow whereof it tooke his name ‡ The leaues of Lang-de 〈◊〉 are very rough the stalke some cubit and halfe high commonly red of colour the tops of the branches 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in scaly rough heads these floures are composed of many small yellow leaues in manner of those of Dandelion and flie away in down like as they do the floures are of a verie bitter taste whence Lobel calls it Buglossum 〈◊〉 luteum Hieracio cognatum Tabernamontanus 〈◊〉 fitly called it Hieracium echioides 3 There is another wilde Buglosse which Dodonaeus hath by the name of Buglossa 〈◊〉 it hath a small white root from which arises a slender stalke some foot and halfe high set with smal rough leaues sinuated or cut in on the edges the stalkes at the top are diuided into three or foure small branches bearing small blew floures in rough huskes ‡ ¶ The Place These do grow in gardens euery where ‡ The Lang-de-Beefe growes wilde in many places as betweene Redriffe and Deptsord by the waterie ditch sides The little wilde Buglosse growes vpon the drie ditch bankes about Pickadilla and almost euery where ‡ ¶ The Time They floure from May or Iune euen to the end of Sommer The leaues perish in Winter and new come vp in the Spring ¶ The Names Garden Buglosse is called of the later Herbarists Buglossa and Buglossa Domestica or garden Buglosse Lang-de Beefe is called in Latine Lingua bouis and Buglossum Luteum Hieracio cognatum and also Buglossa syluestris or wilde Buglosse ‡ Small wilde Buglosse is called Borago syluestris by Tragus Echium Germanicum Spinosum by Fuchsius and Buglossa syluestris by Dodonaeus ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The root saith Dioscorides mixed with oile cureth greene wounds and adding thereto a little barley meale it is a remedie against Saint Anthonies fire It causeth sweat in agues as Plinie saith if the iuice be mixed with a little Aquavitae and the body rubbed therewith The Physitions of the later time vse the leaues floures and roots in stead of Borage and put them both into all kindes of medicines indifferently which are of force and vertue to driue away sorrow and pensiuenesse of the minde and to comfort and strengthen the heart The leaues are of like operation with those of Borage and are vsed as potherbes for the purposes aforesaid as wel Buglosse as Lang-de-Beefe and also to keepe the belly soluble CHAP. 284. Of Alkanet or wilde Buglosse ¶ The Description 1 Anchusa Alcibiadion Red Alkanet 2 Anchusa lutea Yellow Alkanet ‡ 3 Anchusa minor Small Alkanet 1 The first kinde of Alkanet hath many leaues like Echium or small Buglosse couered ouer with a prickie hoarinesse hauing commonly but one stalke which is round rough and a cubite high The cups of the floures are of a skie colour tending to purple not vnlike the floures of Echium the seed is small somewhat long
on the hils of Lincolnshire and in Somersetshire by the house of a gentleman called Mr. Hales vpon a Fox-borough also not far from Mr. Bamfields neere to a towne called Hardington The first two kindes do grow in my garden where they prosper well ‡ I cannot learne that this growes wilde in England ‡ ¶ The Time Sow-bread floureth in September when the plant is without leafe which doth afterwards spring vp continuing greene all the Winter couering and keeping warme the seede vntill Midsommer next at what time the seed is ripe as aforesaid The third floureth in the spring for which cause it was called Cyclamen 〈◊〉 and so doth also the fourth ¶ The Names Sow bread is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Tuber terrae and Terrae rapum of Marcellus Orbicularis of Apuleius Palalia Rapum Porcinum and Terrae malum in shops Cyclamen Panis porcinus and Arthanita in Italian Pan Porcino in Spanish Mazan de Puerco in High Dutch Schweinbrot in Low Dutch Uetckins broot in French Pain de Porceau in English Sow-bread Pliny calleth the colour of this floure in Latine Colossinus color in English Murrey colour ¶ The Nature Sow-bread is hot and drie in the third degree ¶ The Vertues The root of Sow-bread dried into pouder and taken inwardly in the quantitie of a dram and a halfe with mead or honied water purgeth downeward tough and grosse flegme and other sharpe humours The same taken in wine as aforesaid is very profitable against all poison and the bitings of venomous beasts and to be outwardly applied to the hurt place The pouder taken as aforesaid cureth the iaundise and the stoppings of the liuer taketh away the yellow colour of the bodie if the patient after the taking hereof be caused to sweat The leaues stamped with honie and the iuice put into the eies cleereth the sight taketh away al spots and webs pearle or haw and all impediments of the sight and is put into that excellent ointment called Vnguentum Arthanitae The root hanged about women in their extreame trauell with childe causeth them to be deliuered incontinent and taketh away much of their paine The leaues put into the place hath the like effect as my wife hath prooued sundrie times vpon diuers women by my aduise and commandement with good successe The iuice of Sow-bread doth open the Hemorrhoids and causeth them to flow beeing applied with wooll or flocks It is mixed with medicines that consume or waste away knots the Kings euill and other 〈◊〉 swellings moreouer it clenseth the head by the nostrils it purgeth the belly being annointed therwith and killeth the childe It is a strong medicine to destroy the birth being put vp as a pessarie It scoureth the skin and taketh away Sun-burning and all blemishes of the face pilling of the haire and marks also that remaine after the small pocks and mesels and giuen in wine to drinke it maketh a man drunke The decoction thereof serueth as a good and effectuall bath for members out of ioint the gout aud kibed heeles The root being made hollow and filled with oile closed with a little wax and rosted in the hot embers maketh an excellent ointment for the griefes last rehearsed Being beaten and made vp into trochisches or little flat cakes it is reported to be a good amorous medicine to make one in loue if it be inwardly taken ¶ The Danger It is not good for women with childe to touch or take this herbe or to come neere vnto it or stride ouer the same where it groweth for the naturall attractiue vertue therein contained is such that without controuersie they that attempt it in maner abouesaid shall be deliuered before their time which danger and inconuenience to auoid I haue about the place where it groweth in my garden fastened sticks in the ground and some other stickes I haue fastened also crosse-waies ouer them lest any woman should by lamentable experiment finde my words to bee true by their stepping ouer the same ‡ I iudge our Author something too womanish in this that is led more by vain opinion than by any reason or experience to confirme this his assertion which frequent experience shews to be vaine and friuolous especially for the touching striding ouer or comming neere to this herbe ‡ CHAP. 311. Of Birthwoorts ¶ The Kindes BIrthwoort as Dioscorides writeth is of three sorts long round and winding Plinie hath added a fourth kinde called Pistolochia or little Birthwoort The later writers haue ioined vnto them a fifth named Saracens Birthwoort 1 Aristolochia longa Long Birthwoort 2 Aristolochiarotunda Round Birthwoort ¶ The Description 1 LOng Birthwoort hath many small long slender stalkes creeping vpon the ground tangling one with another very intricately beset with round leaues not much vnlike Sowbread or Iuie but larger of a light or ouerworne greene colour and of a grieuous or lothsome smell and sauour among which come forth long hollow floures not much vnlike the floures of Aron but without any pestell or clapper in the same of a dark purple colour after which do follow small fruit like vnto little peares containing triangled seeds of a blackish colour The root is long thicke of the colour of box of a strong sauour and bitter taste 2 The round Birthwoort in stalkes and leaues is like the first but his leaues are rounder the floures differ onely in this that they be somewhat longer and narrower and of a faint yellowish colour but the small flap or point of the floure that turneth backe againe is of a darke or blacke purple colour The fruit is formed like a peare sharpe toward the top more ribbed and fuller than the former the root is round like vnto Sow-bread in taste and sauour like the former 3 Aristolochia clematitis Climing Birthwoort ‡ 4 Aristolochia Saracenica Saracens Birthwoort ‡ 5 Pistolochia Small Birthwoort 3 Climing Birthwoort taketh hold of any thing that is next vnto it with his long and clasping stalks which be oftentimes branched and windeth it selfe like Bindweed the stalks of the leaues are longer whose leaues be smooth broad sharpe pointed as be those of the others the floures likewise hollow long yellow or of a blackish purple colour the fruit differeth not from that of the others but the roots be slender and very long sometimes creeping on the top of the earth and sometimes growing deeper being of like colour with the former ones 4 There is a fourth kinde of Birthwoort resembling the rest in leaues and branched stalkes yet higher and longer than either the long or the round the leaues thereof be greater than those of Asarabacca the floures hollow long and in one side hanging ouer of a yellowish colour the fruit is long and round like a peare in which the seeds lie seuered of forme three square of an ill fauored blackish colour the root is somewhat long oftentimes of a mean thicknesse yellow like to the colour of Box not inferior in bitternesse either
stayeth the termes and boyled in mutton broth it helps weake and aking backes They haue vsed to put it into ointments against burning with fire gunpouder and such like Hedera terrestris being bound in a bundle or chopt as herbes for the pot and eaten or drunke as thin broth stayeth the flux in women CHAP. 315. Of Juy ¶ The Kindes THere be two kindes of Iuy as Theophrastus witnesseth reckoned among the number of those plants which haue need to be propped vp for they stand not of themselues but are fastned to stone walls trees and such like and yet notwithstanding both of a wooddy substance and yet not to be placed among the trees shrubs or bushes because of the affinitie they haue with climbing herbes as also agreeing in forme and figure with many other plants that climbe and are indeed simply to be reckoned among the herbes that clamber vp But if any will cauill or charge me with my promise made in the beginning of this historie where we made our diuision namely to place each plant as neere as may be in kindred and neighbourhood this promise I haue fulfilled if the curious 〈◊〉 can be content to reade without rashnesse those 〈◊〉 following in order and not onely this climbing Iuy that lifteth her selfe to the tops of trees but also the other Iuy that creepeth vpon the ground Of the greater or the climing Iuy there are also many sorts but especially three the white the blacke and that which is called Hedera Helix or Hedera sterilis ¶ The Description 1 THe greater Iuy climbeth on trees old buildings and walls the stalkes thereof are wooddy and now and then so great as it seemes to become a tree from which it sendeth a multitude of little boughes or branches euery way whereby as it were with arms it creepeth and wandereth far about it also bringeth forth continually fine little roots by which it fastneth it selfe and cleaueth wonderfull hard vpon trees and vpon the smoothest stone walls the leanes are smooth shining especially on the vpper side cornered with sharpe pointed corners The floures are very small and mossie after which succeed bundles of black berries euery one hauing a small sharpe pointall There is another sort of great Iuy that bringeth forth white fruit which some call Acharnicam irriguam and also another lesser the which hath blacke berries This Pliny calleth Selinitium We also finde mentioned another sort hereof spred abroad with a fruit of a yellow Saffron colour called of diuers Dionysias as Dioscorides writeth others Bacchica of which the Poets vsed to make garlands as Pliny testisieth lib. 16. cap. 34. 2 Barren Iuy is not much vnlike vnto the common Iuy aforesaid sauing that his branches are both smaller and tenderer not lifting or bearing it selfe vpward but creeping along by the ground vnder moist and shadowie ditch bankes The leaues are most commonly three square cornered of a blackish greene colour which at the end of Sommer become brownish red vpon the lower side The whole plant beareth neither floures nor fruit but is altogether barren and fruitlesse ‡ 3 There is kept for nouelties sake in diuers gardens a Virginian by some though vnfitly termed a Vine being indeed an Iuy The stalkes of this grow to a great heighth if they be planted nigh any thing that may sustaine or beare them vp and they take first hold by certaine small tendrels vpon what body soeuer they grow whether stone boords bricke yea glasse and that so firmely that oftentimes they will bring pieces with them if you plucke them off The leaues are large consisting of foure fiue or more particular leaues each of them being long and deeply notched about the edges so that they somewhat resemble the leaues of the Chesnut tree the floures grow clustering together after the manner of Iuy but neuer with vs shew themselues open so that we cannot iustly say any thing of their colour or the fruit that succeeds them It puts forth his leaues in April and the stalkes with the rudiments of the floures are to be seene in August It may as I said be fitly called Hedera Virginiana ‡ ¶ The Place Iuy groweth commonly about walls and trees the white Iuy groweth in Greece and the barren Iuy groweth vpon the ground in ditch bankes and shadowie woods 1 Hedera corymbosa Clymbing or berried Iuy 2 Hedera Helix Barren or creeping Iuy ¶ The Time Iuy flourisheth in Autumne the berries are ripe after the Winter Solstice ¶ The Names Iuy is called in Latine Hedera in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 in Spanish Yedra in French Liarre The greater Iuy is called of Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine 〈◊〉 attollens or Hedera assurgens Gaza interpreteth it Hedera excelsa The later Herbarists would haue it to be Hedera arborea or tree Iuy because it groweth vpon trees and Hedera muralis which hangeth vpon walls Creeping or barren Iuy is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in English Ground-Iuy yet doth it much differ from Hedera 〈◊〉 or Ground-Iuy before described of some it is called Clauicula Hedera Helix and Hedera 〈◊〉 and is that herbe wherein the Bore delighteth according to Iohannes Khuenius ¶ The Temperature Iuy as Galen saith is compounded of contrarie faculties for it hath a certaine binding earthy and cold substance and also a substance somewhat biting which euen the very taste doth shew to be hot Neither is it without a third facultie as being of a certaine warme waterie substance and that is if it be greene for whilest it is in drying this watery substance being earthy cold and binding consumeth away and that which is hot and biting remaineth ¶ The Vertues The leaues of Iuy fresh and greene boyled in wine do heale old vlcers and perfectly cure those that haue a venomous and malicious quality ioyned with them and are a remedy likewise against burnings and scaldings Moreouer the leaues boyled with vineger are good for such as haue bad spleens but the floures or fruit are of more force being very finely beaten and tempered with vineger especially so vsed they are commended against burnings The iuyce drawne or snift vp into the nose doth effectually purge the head stayeth the running of the eares that hath beene of long continuance and healeth old vlcers both in the eares and also in the nosthrils but if it be too sharpe it is to be mixed with oyle of Roses or sallad oyle The gum that is found vpon the trunke or body of the old stocke of Iuy killeth nits and lice and taketh away haire it is of so hot a qualitie as that it doth obscurely burne it is as it were a certaine waterish liquor congealed of those gummie drops Thus farre Galen The very same almost hath Dioscorides but yet also somewhat more for ouer and besides hee saith that fiue of the berries beaten small and made hot in a Pomegranat rinde
obscuritie and darknesse of the same CHAP. 421. Of Burnet 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Garden Burnet 2 Pimpinella syluestris Wilde Burnet ¶ The Kinds Bvrnet of which we will intreat doth differ from Pimpinella which is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Burnets is lesser for the most part 〈◊〉 in gardens notwithstanding it groweth in barren fieldes where it is much smaller the other greater is 〈◊〉 wilde ¶ The Description 1 GArden Bumet hath long leaues made vp together of a great many vpon one stem euery one whereof is something round nicked on the edges somwhat 〈◊〉 among these riseth a stalke that is not altogether without leaues something chamsered vpon the tops whereof grow little round heads or knaps which bring sorth small floures of a 〈◊〉 purple colour and after them cornered seeds which are thrust vp together The root is long the whole plant doth smell something like a Melon or Cucumber 2 Wilde Burnet is greater in all parts it hath wider and bigger leaues than those of the sormer the stalke is longer sometimes two cubits high the knaps are greater of a darke purple colour and the seed is likewise cornered and greater the root longer but this Burnet hath no pleasant smell at all ‡ 3 There is kept in some gardens another of this kinde with very large leaues stalkes and heads for the heads are some inch and halfe long yet but slender considering the 〈◊〉 and the floures as I remember are of a whitish colour in other respects it differs not from the precedent it may fitly be called Pimpinella sanguisorba hortensis maxima Great Garden 〈◊〉 ‡ ¶ The Place The small Pimpinell is commonly planted in gardens notwithstanding it doth grow wilde vpon many barren heaths and pastures The great wilde Burnet groweth as Mr. Lyte saith in dry medowes about Viluord and my selfe haue found it growing vpon the side of a causey which crosseth the one halfe of a field whereof the one part is carable ground and the other part medow lying between Paddington and Lysson 〈◊〉 neere vnto London vpon the high way ¶ The Time They floure 〈◊〉 Iune vnto the end of August ¶ The Names The later herbarists doe call Burnet Pimpinella sanguisorba that it may differ from the other and yet it is called by seuerall names 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Gesner had rather it should be called 〈◊〉 of the smell of Melons or Pompious to which it is like as we haue said of others it is named Pimpinella or Bipennyla of most men Solbastrella in High Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in French Pimpennelle 〈◊〉 in English Burnet It agreeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say with Dioscorides his second Iron-woort the leafe and especially that of the lesser sort which we haue written to consist of many nicks in the edges of the leaues and this may be the very same which Pliny in his 24 book chapter 17. 〈◊〉 to be named in Persia Sissitiepteris because it made them merry he also calleth the same Protomedia and Casigneta and likewise 〈◊〉 for that it doth 〈◊〉 agree with wine to which also this Pimpinella as we haue said doth giue 〈◊〉 pleasant sent neither is that repugnant that Pliny in another place hath written De Sideritibus of the Iron-woorts for it osten falleth out that he intreateth of one and the selfe same plant in diuers places vnder diuers names which thing then 〈◊〉 sooner when the writers themselues do not well know the plant as that Pliny did not well know Sideritis or Iron-woort it is euen thereby manisest because he setteth not downe his owne opinion hereof but other mens ¶ The Temperature Burnet besides the drying and binding facultie that it hath doth likewise meanly coole and the lesser Burnet hath likewise with all a certaine superficiall sleight and temperate sent which when it is put into the wine it doth leaue behind it this is not in the dry herbe in the iuice nor in the decoction ¶ The Vertues Burnet is a singular good herb for wounds which thing Dioscorides doth attribute to his second Ironwoort and commended of a number it stancheth bleeding and therefore it was named Sanguisorba as well inwardly taken as outwardly applied Either the iuice is giuen or the decoction of the pouder of the drie leaues of the herbe beeing 〈◊〉 it is outwardly applied or else put among other externall medicines It staieth the laske and bloudy flix it is also most effectuall to stop the monthly course The lesser 〈◊〉 is pleasant to be eaten in sallads in which it is thought to make the heart 〈◊〉 and glad as also being put into wine to which it yeeldeth a certaine grace in the drinking The decoction of Pimpinell drunken cureth the bloudy flix the spitting of bloud and all other fluxes of bloud in man or woman The herbe and seed made into pouder and drunke with wine or water wherein iron hath beene quenched doth the like The leaues of Pimpinell are very good to heale wounds and are receiued in drinkes that are made for inward wounds The leaues of Burnet steeped in winc and drunken comfort the heart and make it merry and are good against the trembling and shaking thereof CHAP. 422. Of English Saxifrage ¶ The Description 1 THis kinde of Saxifrage our English women Physitions haue in great vse and is familiarly knowne vnto them vouchsafing that name vnto it of his vertues against the stone it hath the leaues of Fennel but thicker and broader very like vnto Seseli pratense Monspeliensium which addition Pena hath bestowed vpon this our English Saxifrage among which riseth vp a stalke of a cubit high or more bearing at the top spokie rundles beset with whitish yellow floures the root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thicke blacke without and white within and of a good sauour 1 Saxifraga Anglicana facie Seseli pratensis English Saxifrage ‡ 2 Saxifraga Pannonica Clusq Austrian Saxifrage ‡ 2 Clusius hath set forth another plant not much different from this our common Saxifrage and called it Saxifraga Pannonica which I haue thought fit here to insert the leaus saith he are much 〈◊〉 than those of Hogs-Fennell and somewhat like those of Fumitorie the stalkes are some soot high slender hauing some few small leaues and at the top carrying an vmbel of white floures the root is not much vnlike that of Hogs-Fennel but shorter and more acride it is 〈◊〉 at the top thereof whence the stalkes and leaues come forth it growes vpon some hils in Hungarie and Au stria and floures in Iuly ‡ ¶ The Place Saxifrage groweth in most fields and medowes euery where through out this our kingdome of England ¶ The Time It floureth from the beginning of May to the end of August ¶ The Names Saxifraga Anglicana is called in our mother tongue Stone-breake or English Saxifrage 〈◊〉 and Lobel call it by this name Saxifraga Anglicana for that it groweth more plentifully in England than in any other countrey ¶ The Nature Stone-breake is hot
of the stems of a yellow colour after which come vp little flat pouches or purses couered ouer or contained within a little bladder or flat skin open before like the mouth of a fish wherein is contained flat yellowish seed which being ripe and drie will make a noise or ratling when it is shaken or moued of which propertie it tooke the name yellow Rattle Crista Galli Yellow Rattle or Coxcombe ¶ The Place It groweth in drie 〈◊〉 and pastures and 〈◊〉 to them a great 〈◊〉 ¶ The Time It floureth most part of the Sommer ¶ The Names It is called in low Dutch Ratelen and Geele Ratelen commonly in Larine 〈◊〉 Galli and Gallinacca Crista in English Coxcombe Penie grasse yellow or white Rattle in High Dutch it is called geel Rodel in French Creste de Coc diuers 〈◊〉 it to be the old writers Alectorolophos ‡ Some thinke it to be the Mimmulus or as others that more fitly reade it Nummulus mentioned by Pliny lib. 18. cap. 28. ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues But what temperature or vertue this herbe is of men haue not as yet beene carefull to know seeing it is accounted vnprofitable CHAP. 437. Of red Rattle or Lousewoort ¶ The Description Pedicularis Lousewoort or red Rattle REd Rattle of Dodonaeus called Fistularia and according to the opinion censure of Carolus Clusius Pena others the true Alectorolophos hath very small rent or iagged leaues of a browne red colour and weake small and tender stalkes whereof some lie along trailing vpon the ground within very moorish medowes they grow a cubit high and more but in moist and wet heathes and such like barren grounds not aboue an handful high the floures grow round about the stalke from the middest thereof euen to the top and are of a brown red colour in shape like the floures of dead Nettle which being past there succeed little flat pouches wherin is contained flat and blackish 〈◊〉 in shew very like vnto the former the root is small white and tender ¶ The Place It groweth in moist and moorish medowes the herbe is not onely vnprofitable but also hurtfull and an infirmitie of the medowes ¶ The Time It is found with his floures and stalkes in May and Iune ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 in High Dutch Braun Rodel in Latine Pedicularis of the effect because it filleth sheep and other cattel that 〈◊〉 in medowes where this groweth full of lice diuers of the later 〈◊〉 call it 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Crista Galli and diuers take it to be Mimmulus herba in English Rattle-grasse Red Rattle grasse and Louse-woort ¶ The Temperature It is cold and drie and astringent ¶ The Vertues It is held to be good for Fistulaes and hollow vlcers and to stay the ouermuch flowing of the menses or any other flux of bloud if it be boiled in red wine and drunke CHAP. 438. Of Yarrow or Nose-bleed ¶ The Description 1 COmmon Yarrow hath very many stalkes comming vp a cubit high round and somewhat hard about which stand long leaues cut in the sides sundry wise and as it were made vp of many small iagged leaues euery one of which seeme to come neere to the slender leaues of Coriander there stand at the top tufts or spoked rundles the floures whereof are 〈◊〉 white or purple which being rubbed do yeeld a strong smell but vnpleasant the root sendeth downe many strings 1 Millefolium terrestre vulgare Common Yarrow 2 Millefolium flore 〈◊〉 Red floured Yarrow 2 The second kinde of Milsoile or Yarrow hath stalkes leaues and roots like vnto the former sauing that his spokie tufts are of an excellent faire red or crimson colour and being a little rubbed in the hand of a reasonable good sauour ¶ The Place The first groweth euery where in drie pastures and medowes red Milfoile groweth in a field by Sutton in Kent called Holly-Deane from whence I brought those plants that do grow in my Garden but it is not common euery where as the other is ¶ The Time They floure from May to the end of October ¶ The Names Yarrow is called of the Latine Herbarists Millefolium it is Dioscorides his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine 〈◊〉 and Achillea siderit is which thing he may very plainely see that will compare with that 〈◊〉 which Dioscorides hath set downe 〈◊〉 was found out saith Pliny in his 25. booke chap. 〈◊〉 by Achilles Chirons disciple which for that cause is named 〈◊〉 of others 〈◊〉 among vs 〈◊〉 yet be there other Sideritides and also another Panaces 〈◊〉 whereof we will 〈◊〉 in another place Apuleius setteth downe diuers names hereof some of which are also 〈◊〉 among the bastard names in Dioscorides in Latine it is called 〈◊〉 Supercilium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Acorum syluaticum of the French-men Millefucille in high Dutch Garben 〈◊〉 in low Dutch Geruwe in Italian Millefoglio in Spanish Milhoyas yerua in English Yarrow Nose-bleed common Yarrow red Yarrow and Milfoile ¶ The Temperature Yarrow as Galen saith is not vnlike in temperature to the Sideritides or Iron worts that is to say clensing and meanely cold but it most of all bindeth ¶ The Vertues The leaues of Yarrow doe close vp wounds and keepe them from inflammation or fiery swelling it stancheth bloud in any part of the body and it is likewise put into bathes for women to sit in it stoppeth the laske and being drunke it helpeth the bloudy flixe Most men say that the leaues chewed and especially greene are a remedy for the tooth-ache The leaues being put into the nose do cause it to bleed and ease the paine of the megrim It cureth the inward excorations of the yard of a man comming by reason of pollutions or extreme flowing of the seed although the issue do cause inflammation and swelling of those secret parts and though the spermaticke matter do come downe in great quantity 〈◊〉 the juice be injected with a syringe or the decoction This hath been prooued by a certain friend of mine sometimes a Fellow of Kings Colledge in Cambridge who lightly brused the leaues of common Yarrow with Hogs-grease and applied it warme vnto the priuie parts and thereby did diuers times helpe himselfe and others of his fellowes when he was a student and a single man liuing in Cambridge One dram in powder of the herbe giuen in wine presently taketh away the paines of the colicke CHAP. 439. Of yellow Yarrow or Milfoile 1 Millefolium luteum Yellow Yarrow 2 Achillea siue Milsefo lium nobile Achilles Yarrow ¶ The Description 1 YEllow Yarrow is a small plant seldome aboue a span high the stalkes whereof are couered with long leaues very finely cut in the edges like feathers in the wings of little birds the tufts or spokie 〈◊〉 bring forth yellow floures of the same shape and forme of the common Yarrow the root consisteth of threddy strings 2 Achilles Yarrow or noble Milfoile hath a thicke and tough root with strings fastened thereto
deepe green colour like those of Peruincle but yet longer greater also than the leaues of the Oliue tree the floures be white sweet of smell very little growing in clusters which being vaded there succeed clusters of berries at the first greene and when they be ripe blacke like a little cluster of grapes which yeeld a purple iuice the root groweth euery way aslope ¶ The Place The common Priuet groweth naturally in enery wood and in the hedge rowes of our London gardens it is not found in the countrey of Polonia and other parts adiacent ¶ The Time It sloureth in the end of May or in Iune the berries are ripe in Autumne or about Winter which now and then continue all the Winter long but in the meane time the leaues fall away and in the Spring new come vp in their places ¶ The Names It is called in Latine Ligustrum in Italian at this day Guistrico by a corrupt word drawne from Ligustrum it is the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in no wise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Cyprus is a shrub that groweth naturally in the East and Priuet in the West They be very like one vnto another as the descriptions doe declare but yet in this 〈◊〉 differ as witnesseth Bellonius because the leaues of Priuet do fall away in winter and the leaues of Cyprus are alwaies greene moreouer the leaues of Cyprus do make the haire red as 〈◊〉 saith and as Bellonius reporteth do giue a yellow colour but the leaues of Priuet haue no vse at all in dying And therefore Pliny lib. 24. cap. 10. was deceiued in that he iudged Priuet to be the selfe same tree which Cyprus is in the East which thing notwithstanding he did not write as hee himselfe thought but as other men suppose for lib. 12. cap. 14. he writeth thus Some saith he affirme this viz. Cyprus to be that tree which is called in Italy Ligustrum and that 〈◊〉 or Priuet is that plant which the Grecians call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the description doth declare Phillyria saith Dioscorides is a tree like in bignesse to Cyprus with leaues blacker and broader than those of the Oliue tree it hath fruit like to that of the Mastick tree blacke something sweet standing in clusters and such a tree for all the world is Priuet as we haue before declared Serapio the Arabian cap. 44. doth call Priuet Mahaleb There is also another Mahaleh which is a graine or seed of which Auicen maketh mention cap. 478. that it doth by his warme and comfortable heate dissolue and asswage paine Serapio seemeth to intreat of them both and to containe diuers of the 〈◊〉 vnder the title of one chapter it is named in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in French Troesne in English Priuet Primprint and Print Some there be that would haue the berries to be called Vaccinia and Vaccinium to be that of which Vitruvius hath made mention in his seuenth booke of Architecture or the art of building chap. 14. of purple colours after the same manner saith he they temper Vaccinium and 〈◊〉 milke vnto it do make a gallant purple in such breuitie of the old writers what can be certainely determined ¶ The Temperature The leaues and fruit of Priuet are cold dry and astringent ¶ The Vertues The leaues of Priuet do cure the swellings apostumations and vlcers of the mouth or throat being gargarised with the iuyce or decoction thereof and therefore they be excellent good to be put into lotions to wash the secret parts and the scaldings with women cankers and sores in childrens mouthes CHAP. 58. Of Mocke-Priuet 1 Phillyrea angustifolia Narrow leaued Mock-Priuet 2 Phillyrea latiore folio The broader leaued Mock-Priuet ¶ The Description 1 CYprus is a kinde of Priuet and is called Phillyrea which name all the sorts or kindes thereof do retaine though for distinctions sake they passe vnder sundry titles This plant groweth like an hedge tree sometimes as big as a Pomegranat tree beset with slender twiggy boughes which are garnished with leaues growing by couples very like the leaues of the Oliue tree but broader softer and of a greene colour from the bosomes of these leaues come forth great bunches of small white floures of a pleasant sweet smell which being vaded there succeed clusters of blacke berries very like the berries of the Alder tree 3 Phillyrea serrata 2. Clusij The second toothed Priuet of Clusius 3 This kinde of Priuet riseth vp like an hedge bush of the height of fiue or six cubits the branches are long fragile or brittle couered with a whitish barke whereon are set leaues somwhat broad iagged on the edges like the teeth of a saw and of a deep green colour among which come forth the floures which neither my Author nor my selfe haue seene the berries grow vpon small foot-stalks for the most part three together being round and of the bignesse of pepper graines or Myrtle berries of a blacke colour when they be ripe ¶ The Place These plants do grow in Syria neere the city Ascalon and were found by our industrious Pena in the mountaines neere Narbone and Montpelier in France the which I planted in the garden at Barn-Elmes neere London belonging to the right Honourable the Earle of Essex I haue them growing in my garden likewise ¶ The Time The leaues shoot forth in the first of the Spring the floures shew themselues in May and Iune the fruit is ripe in September ¶ The Names This Priuet is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine also Cyprus and may be named in English Easterlin Priuet and Mocke-Priuet for the reason following they are deceiued who taking Pliny for their Author do thinke that it is Ligustrum or our Westerne Priuet as wee haue shewed in the former chap. it is the Arabians Alcanna or Henne and it is also called of the Turks Henne euen at this present time ¶ The Temperature The leaues of these kindes of Priuet haue a binding qualitie as Dioscorides writeth ¶ The Vertues Being chewed in the mouth they heale the vlcers thereof and are a remedie against inflammations or hot swellings The decoction thereof is good against burnings and scaldings The same being stamped and steeped in the iuice of Mullen and laid on do make the haire red as Dioscorides noteth Bellonius writeth that not only the haire but also the nether parts of mans body and nailes likewise are coloured and died herewith which is counted an ornament among the Turks The floures being moistned in vineger and applied to the temples asswageth head-ache There is also made of these an oile called Olcum Cyprinum sweet of smell and good to heate and supple the sinewes CHAP. 59. Of bastard Priuet ¶ The Description 1 THis shrubby tree called Macaleb or Mahaleb is also one of the Priuets it riseth vp like vnto a small hedge tree not vnlike vnto the Damson or Bullesse tree