Melilotus vera Bauhinus calleth it Lotus hortensis odora and is the Melilotus singularis Alpini by Pona in the description of Mons Baldus Most now a dayes call it Trifolium 〈◊〉 and the Germanes of old time called it Siben gezâ—it as Tragus and others set it downe that is seaven times sweete supposing it lost his sent and gained it againe so many times in a day which is but a fancy as I said before but being gathered and kept dry in the house it doth keepe his sent a little but will smell stronger against 〈◊〉 weather whereby many desire to lay it in their chambers to be as it were their Almanacke to shew them faire and foule weather It is called or many women now a dayes Balsame for the singular healing properties it hath The other is called by all Authors Trifolium Asphaltaeum or Aspaltites or Bituminosum Gesner in horâ— Germaniae calleth it Oxytriphyllum as Dioscorides saith some used to call it in his time and Menianthes The third is mentioned by Iacobus Cornutus in his booke of Canada plants The last hath his name in his title as much as in convenient to know it by yet Bauhinus taketh it to be the Loti sylvestris genus latifolium ex Armenia that Caesalpinus mentioneth The Vertues The juice of the sweete Trefoile as Dioscorides saith is used with hony to be dropped into the eyes to helpe the Vlcers that happen therein and taketh away all manner of spots as pin or haw as also all skinnes that grow over them to hinder the sight Galen saith it is of a temperate quality and that it is of a meane vigour in digesting so it is of a meane propertie betweene heate and drynesse The oyle made of the leaves and flowers hereof in the same manner as I sayd of the flowers of white Melilot is so soveraigne a salve many women calling it a Baulme for to dissolve all hard swellings bunches or wennes in any part of the body as also to represse moderately all inflammations and helpeth to digest all corrupt and rotten sores full of corruption bringing them to maturitie and healing them perfectly that it is to be admired as also to heare what properties they say it hath and how wonderfully they extoll it for all sorts of greene wounds as well as old Vlcers as also to ease the paines of the Goute It is said to be good for bruises and burstings of young children for stiffenesse and lamenesse of joynts and sinewes crampes stitches Aches and generally all other the like outward diseases whether they proceede of heate or cold The distilled water is good to wash childrens heads that are broken out with scurfe or scabbes They use to lay it in Chests and Presses to keepe Mothes from garments The strong smelling Claver is of a stronger and hotter temperature the decoction thereof made in wine and drunke easeth the paines of the sides comming by obstruction and provoketh Vrine as Hippocrates saith it helpeth women who after their delivery are not well purged or cleared of the afterbirth it provoketh their courses also and helpeth to expell the birth Dioscorides saith it is very effectuall against all venemous creatures as Serpents or other and as it is reported saith hee the decoction of the whole plant taketh away all the paines thereof if the place be washed therewith but if any that hath a sore shall wash it with that decoction which hath helped them that have bin bitten or stung it causeth the same paines in that party which he had that was stung or bitten and was cured thereby Galen reporteth this matter a little otherwise for hee saith that the decoction of the herbe Trefoile that is like unto an Hyacinth taken in the Spring time when it is fresh and boiled in water careth those that are bitten and stung by Serpents and other venemous creatures if the places be washed therewith but if any that are sound and not bitten shall bee washed with any of that decoction and doth not say as Dioscorides those that have a sore or that are washed with the same part of the decoction that the other that was bitten was washed with they shall feele the same paines that he that was bitten felt and further saith the effect hereof is worthy of admiration that the same herbe should cure them that are bitten or stung and cause a sound body or place to be alike evill affected as if it were stung or bitten Pliny also in his 21. booke and 21. Chapter saith that he is led to beleeve that it is venemous to a sound party to be washed therewith because Sophocles the Poet saith so and that Simus an excellent Phisition affirmeth that the juice or decoction thereof applyed to one not bitten or stung procureth the same paines that he that is bitten or stung doth feele and therefore perswadeth it not to bee used but to those are bitten or stung by Serpents c. the flowers leaves or seede eyther all together or each severally by it selfe being boiled in venegar and a little hony added thereto being drunke is a speciall remedy for them that are stung or bitten by any vinemous creature the seede is of most force with Galen who appointeth it to be put into Treakles that he caused to be made for divers persons the seede also boiled in honied water and drunke is singular good for the Plurisie provoketh Vrine and allayeth the heate thereof and is good for the Strangury it helpeth those that have the falling sicknesse and is singular good for women that have the rising and strangling of the mother whereby they often seeme to be dead the same decoction is also good for those that have the Dropsie and taken before the fit of either tertian or quartaine Ague it lessoneth the fits both of heate and cold and by often using it doth quite take them away three drammes of the seede or foure of the leaves powthered and given in drinke provoketh womens monethly courses effectually The second Claver of America by reason both of the forme of the leaves and smell so neare thereunto may seeme to be of the same property but I have not knowne any that have made triall of the effects CHAP. CXIII Melilotus Melilot or Kings Claver THe Lotus Vrbana mentioned in the last Chapter causeth mee to joyne the Mellilots next thereunto both for the forme name and nature being no lesse effectuall in healing then the other and unto the more common and knowne sorts to adde some more unknowne to close up this Classis 1. Melilotus vulgaris Common Melilot This Mellilot which is most knowne and growing wilde in many places of this kingdome hath many greene stalkes two or three foote high rising from a tough long white roote which dyeth not every yeare set round about at the joynts with small and somewhat long strong well smelling leaves three alwayes set together unevenly dented about the edges the flowers are yellow and well smelling also made
more sharpenesse and was of more efficacie then Seseli although as Gesner saith it is like none of the Seselies Caesalpirus calleth it Ser montanum and Peloponense Pliny sheweth that Siler tooke the name from Sila whereby 1. Siler montanum vulgo Siselios The true Libisticke or Ser mountaine of Liguria 2. Siler montanum angustifolium Narrow leafed Ser mountaine they used the seede for Seseli and antiently they used to call Seseli by the name of Sili and Seli Pliny saith that Cratevas used to call it Cunila bubula and some Panaces the last is remembed onely by Bauhinus in his Pinax and set downe in his Prodromus I have called it in English Libisticke or Ser mountaine as the fittest to expresse it The Vertues This Libisticke or Ser mountaine is of a warming and digesting qualitie both roote and seede and helpeth inward gripings and paines swellings and winde especially in the stomack it provoketh urine also and womens courses being drunke or the roote outwardly applyed and is used against the bitings of venemous beasts and Serpents and therefore is put both into Mithridate and Treakle and for the propertie to breake winde is used among other things tending to the same purpose the Ligurians among whom it groweth use the seede familiarly in their meats to season and rellish them as others doe with pepper CHAP. XVII Carum Caraway ALthough with most writers there hath beene but one kind of Caraway formerly remembred yet be because there are two other herbes that nearely resemble it I will put them together 1. Carum vulgare Ordinary Carawayes The ordinary Caraway is well knowne to beare divers stalkes of fine cut leaves lying on the ground somewhat like to the leaves of Carrots but not bushing so thicke of a little quicke taste in them from among which riseth up a square stalke not so high as the Carrot at whose joynts are set the like leaves but smaller and siner and at the toppe small open tufts or umbells of white 1. Carum vulgare Ordinary Carawayes flowers which turne into small blackish seed lesser that the Anneseede and of a quicker and hotter taste the roote is whitish small and long somewhat like unto a Parsnep but with a more wrinkled barke and much lesse of a little hot taste and quicke and stronger then a Parsnep and abideth after seedetime 2. Carum Alpinum Mountaine Caraway This mountaine Caraway is a small plant and smooth shooting forth from a long blackish aromaticall roote sundry long stalkes with leaves on them like unto the former Caraway but the devided leaves are somewhat broader and of a pale greene colour from among which riseth one or two slender stalkes halfe a foote high from the middle upwards bare or without leaves and thence spreading five or six small sprigges to forme an umbell each of them bearing at the toppe a few small flowers in a tuft as it were together of a reddish yellow colour 3. Carum pratense Medow Caraway The Medow Caraway groweth greater and higher then the ordinary kinde with leaves somewhat like also unto it but larger the spokie umbells of white flowers are likewise larger and the seede like unto Cumin seede but much larger the roote is small and slender of a sent somewhat strange or like unto Dauke of an hot and sharpe taste yet not so much as the seede The Place and Time The first groweth as Tragus saith in Germany in many places in the fields and by the way sides it is usually sowen with us in Gardens the second was found on the Pyrenian hills and the last in the fields and medowes of Germany as Tragus saith also they flower in Iune or Iuly and seede quickly after The Names 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greeke is Caros and Carum in Latine or Carui as it is in the Apothecaries shoppes Simeon Sethi calleth it Carnabadion and tooke the name as Dioscorides saith from the Countrey of Caria from whence it was first brought All Authors doe generally call the first Caros or Carum and some Careum and some Carvum as it is in shoppes Bauhinus calleth it according to his owne country name Carum pratense the second Bauhinus hath onely expressed in his Pinax and described in his Prodromus the last Tragus calleth Cyminum equinum after the high Dutch name as they call it there Rosskimmel Bauhinus referreth it to the Foeniculum erraticum alterum Loniceri and Hippomarathrum of others as if it were a Fennell when he himselfe calleth it onely Caruifolia The Arabians call it Karvia Karavia or Carvi the Italians Carre the Spaniards Cara vea and Alcaravea the French Carni the Germanes Wisenkummell that is pratense Cuminum and of some Motthkummell the Dutch Carve oft Swicker peen and we in English Caraway The Vertues Caraway seedes are hot and dry as Galen saith almost in the third degree and have withall a moderate sharpe qualitie whereby it breaketh winde and provoketh urine and that not the seede onely but the herbe also and the roote thereof is better foode then of the Parsnep and is pleasant and comfortable to the stomacke helping digestion the seede is conducing to all the cold greefes both of the head and stomacke the bowels or mother as also the winde in them and helpeth to sharpen the eye sight the powder of the seede put into a poultis taketh away blacke and blew spots of blowes or bruises the seede is much used in Bread Cakes c. to give a rellish and warning qualitie to them as of a spice and in Comfits to eate with fruit to breake the windinesse of them the herbe itselfe or with some of the seede bruised and fryed layd hot in a bagge or double cloth to the lower part of the â—elly doth ease the paines of the winde Chollicke CHAP. XVIII Anisum Anise ANise is a small low herbe seldome a yard high having the lower leaves broader then those above few upon the stalkes seldome divided but dented on the fore part of a whitish greene colour and of a good sweet taste and smell the stalk is rounder and not spread into branches saving at the toppe where the white umbells of flowers doe stand which afterwards give small round whitish seede very sweete yea more then any unbelliferous seede and pleasant taste and smell yet somewhat quicke withall the roote is small and perisheth every yeare and is to be new sowen in the Spring The Place and Time It is every where sowen even in the East Countries as Anisum Anise Syria c. or else where and not knowne where it is naturall but is very fruitfull and plentifull in hot countries being sowen and gathered within three or foure moneths at the most The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vocavere quia cibi appetentiam praestaret forsan sic dictum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod tensiones flatulentas internas externas remittat et laxet it is generally called Anisum of all authors
without falling away are to be seene full of holes as if they had beene eaten with wormes all the ribbes and veines abiding as they grew untill the frosts doe cause their stalkes to fall away the flowers are of a purplish colour greater than any of the Horehounds and more gaping after which come the seed in hard prickly huskes like unto Horehound the roote is thicke spreading with many blackish strings whereby it taketh strong hold in the ground and dyeth not but shooteth a fresh every yeare this hath no scent either good or ill to be found in it The Place The first is found in many places of our Land in dry grounds and waste greene places the second came from Spaine and being sowne of the seed abideth The third in like manner was sowne of seed that came from Candy as the fourth was also The fift was found growing about Paris in France The sixth in Germany The seaventh in Spaine and the last about Mompelier in fat grounds and sometimes in the wheate fields The Time They doe all flower in Iuly or thereabouts and their seed is ripe in August The Names Horehound is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine â—rasium Marrubium videtur autem inquit Pena Prasinus viror aut certe vinosus odor appellationem dedisse Marrubio tam nigro faetido quod Ballote dicitur quam albo odoro Pliny hath committed many faults in translating the Greeke word Prasium setting downe Prasum id est porrum for it The first is generally called Marrubium by most of our moderne Writers but Prasium by Anguillara the second is called by Lobel Marrubium candidum alterum Hispanicum Of Clusius Marrubium alterum Pannonicum and of Camerarius Marrubium Creticum Of Dodonaeus Marrubium Candidum and of Bauhinus Marrubium album latifolium peregrinum The third is called by Lobel Marrubium Creticum angustiore folio Of Camerarius Marrubium Creticum aliud Marrubium Creticum of Dodonaeus Lugdunensis and others Of Bauhinus Marrubium album angustifolium peregrinum The fourth is called in the great Booke of the Bishop of Eystot his garden Marrubium Creticum angustifolijs inodorum and by Bauhinus Marrubium album peregrinum brevibus obtusis folijs The fifth is called of Bauhinus Marrubium album villosum and maketh a doubt if it should not be Prasium of Dioscorides in English French Horehound or white hairy Horehound The sixth is also called by Bauhinus Marrubium crispum in English Crispe or Curld Horehound The seventh is called by Clusius Ocimastrum Valentinum because as he saith the learned at Valentia in Spaine did so call it by Lobel Marrubium Hispanicum odore Staechadis Of Tabermontanus and Gerard Marrubium Hispanicum and of Bauhinus Marrubium nigrum latifolium The last is called by the Apothecaries of Mompelier Herba Venti Rondeletij others call it Sideritis Monspeliensium Parietaria Monspeliensium as Lugdunensis saith and so saith Cordus also Lobel maketh a question or quaere if it be not the Othonna of Dioscorides rather than the flos Africanus which usually carrieth that title Bauhinus calleth it Marrubium nigrum longifolium in English Black French Horehound untill a fitter may be given it The Vertues The second and third sorts of Horehound because they are nearest unto the first or wilde kinde are found to bee as effectuall for the purposes whereunto the wild is assigned having the same properties and as Dioscorides saith a decoction of the dryed hearb with the seed or the juyce of the greene hearbe taken with honey is a remedy for those that are pursie and short winded for those that have a cough and for such as by long sicknesse or thinne distillations of rheume upon the lungs are wasted and fallen into a consumption it helpeth to expectorate tough flegme from the chest being taken with the dryed roote of Iris or Orris it is given to women to bring downe their courses and to expell the afterbirth as also to them that have sore and long travels it is also given to them that have taken poison or are bitten or stung by any venemous Serpents or beasts but it hurteth the bladder and the reynes the leaves being used with honey doe purge foule ulcers stay running or creeping sores and the growing of the flesh over the nailes it helpeth also the paines of the sides the juyce thereof with wine and honey helpeth to cleare the eye-sight and snuffed up into the nostrils helpeth to purge away the yellow jaundise and either of it selfe or with a little oyle of Roses being dropped into the eares easeth the paines of them Galen saith that by reason of the bitternesse it openeth the obstructions both of the liver and spleene purgeth the breast and lungs of flegme and procureth womens courses and used outwardly it both clenseth and digesteth A decoction of Horehound saith Matthiolus is availeable for those that have bad livers and for such as have itches and running tetters the powder thereof taken or the decoction killeth the wormes the greene leaves bruised and boyled with old Hogs lard into an oyntment healeth the bytings of Dogges abateth the swellings of womens breasts and taketh away the swelling and paines that come by any pricking of thornes or any such like thing Vsed with vineger it clenseth and healeth tetters If saith Matthiolus you boyle two ounces of fresh Horehound in three pints of good white wine with the roots of Buglosse Elecampane and Agrimony of each one dram and a halfe of Rubarbe and lignum aloes of each one dram untill halfe be consumed and strained hereby is made a most excellent medicine to helpe the yellow jaundise that commeth by the obstruction of the vessels and overflowing of the gall if two ounces thereof having a little Sugar put to it to sweeten it be taken fasting for nine dayes together but he counselleth that if they that shall take this medicine have an ague the decoction must bee made with water and not with wine the decoction thereof is a singular helpe for women that are troubled with the whites if they sit over it while it is warme the same also healeth any scabs whether they be dry or moist if the places be bathed therewith being stamped and put into new milke and set in any place overpestered with flies it will soone destroy them all There is a sirope made of Horehound to be had at the Apothecaries much used and that to very good purpose for old coughes to rid the tough flegme as also for old men and others whose lungs are oppressed with thinne and cold rheme to helpe to avoid it and for those that are asthmatick or short-winded The other sorts are not used or their properties are not expressed by any CHAP. XVIII Stachys Base Horehound I Must needs adjoyne these Base Horehounds unto the former for the neare affinity that some of them especially have both in face smell and vertues referring the Sideritides to another place which some have joyned with these 1. Stachys Dioscoridis The
is of a manifest heating quality and a little binding and Aetius saith the same also but he further saith that some report that the fumes thereof being taken when it is burnt doth stay the immoderate fluxe of womens courses and all other fluxes of theirs Agrippa saith that if childing women whose wombes be too moist and slippery not able to conceive by reason of that default shall take a quantity of the juyce of Sage with a little salt for foure dayes before they company with their Husbands it will helpe them to conceive and also for those that after they have conceived are subject often to miscarry upon any small occasion for it causeth the birth to be the better retained and to become the more lively therefore in Cyprus and Aegypt after a great plague women were forced to drinke the juyce of Sage to cause them to be the more fruitfull Orpheus saith that three spoonefuls of the juyce of Sage taken fasting with a little honey doth presently stay the spitting or casting up of blood For them that are in a consumption these Pills are much commended Take of Spiknard and Ginger of each two drammes of the seed of Sage a little tosted at the fire eight drammes of long pepper twelve drammes all these being brought into fine powder let there bee so much juyce of Sage put thereto as may make it into a masse formable for pills taking a dramme of them every morning fasting and so likewise at night drinking a little pure water after them Matthiolus saith that it is very profitable for all manner of paines of the head comming of cold and rheumaticke humours as also for all paines of the joynts whether used inwardly or outwardly and therefore It helpeth such as have the falling sicknesse the lethargie or drowsie evill such as are dull and heavie of spirit and those that have the palsie and is of much use in all defluxions or distillations of thin rheume from the head and for the diseases of the chest or brest The leaves of Sage and Nettles bruised together and laid upon the impostume that riseth behind the eares doth asswage and helpe it much also the juyce of Sage taken in warme water helpeth an hoarsnesse and the cough the leaves sodden in wine and laid upon any place affected with the Palsie helpeth much if the decoction be drunke also Sage taken with Wormewood is used for the bloody fluxe Pliny saith it procureth womens courses and stayeth them comming downe too fast helpeth the stinging and bytings of Serpents and killeth the wormes that breed in the eares and also in sores Sage is of excellent good use to helpe the memory by warming and quickning the sences and the conserve made of the flowers is used to the same purpose as also for all the former recited diseases they are perswaded in Italy that if they eate Sage fasting with a little salt they shall be safe that day from the danger of the byting of any venemous beast they use there also never to plant Sage but with Rue among it or neare it for feare of Toades and other Serpents breeding under it and infecting it with their venemous spittle c. the danger whereof is recorded in Boccace of two Friends or Lovers that by eating the leaves of that Sage under which a Toade was found to abide were both killed thereby and therefore the Poet joyneth them both together to have wholesome drinke saying Salvia cum ruta faciunt tibi pocula tuta Sage hath beene of good use in the time of the plague at all times and the small Sage more especially which therefore I thinke our people called Sage of Vertue the juyce thereof drunke with vineger The use of Sage in the Moneth of May with butter Parsley and some salt is very frequent in our Country to continue health to the body as also Sage Ale made with it Rosemary and other good hearbes for the same purpose and for teeming women or such as are subject to miscary as it is before declared Gargles likewise are made with Sage Rosemary Honisuckles and Plantaine boyled in water or wine with some Honey and Allome put thereto to wash cankers sore mouthes and throats or the secret parts of man or woman as need requireth And with other hot and comfortable hearbes to be boyled to serve for bathings of the body or legges in the Summer time especially to warme the cold joynts or sinewes of young or old troubled with the Palsie or crampe and to comfort and strengthen the parts It is much commended against the stitch or paines in the side comming of winde if the grieved place be fomented warme with the decoction thereof in wine and the hearbe after the boyling be laid warme also thereto CHAP. XX. Horminum Clary THere are divers sorts of Clary some manured onely called Garden Clary others growing wilde whereof I shall here shew you many collected from sundry parts 1. Horminum sativum vulgare sive Sclarea Garden Clary Our ordinary Garden Clary hath foure-square stalkes with 1. Horminum sativum vulgare sive Sclarea Garden Clary broad rough wrinckled whitish or hoary greene leaves somewhat evenly cut in on the edges and of a strong sweet scent growing some neare the ground and some by couples upon the stalkes The flowers grow at certaine distances with two small leaves at the joynts under them somewhat like unto the flowers of Sage but smaller and of a very whitish or bleack blue colour the seed is brownish and somewhat flatt or not so round as the wild the rootes are blackish and spread not farre and perish after the seed time it is most usuall to sow it for the seed seldome riseth of it owne shedding 2. Horminum genuinum sativum Dioscoridis The true garden Clary of Dioscorides This small Clary riseth up but with one square hairy stalke about halfe a yard high as farre as ever I could yet observe divided into severall square branches whereon are set at every joynt two leaves one against another which are somewhat broad and round a little rugged like unto Horehound but more greene than white and of a reasonable good and small scent at the toppes of the stalkes stand divers leaves one row under another of a very fine deepe purple violet colour yet the lowest are paler than the uppermost and seeme a farre of to be flowers but nearer observed are discerned to bee but the toppe leaves the flowers comming forth under them at spaces about the stalkes of a whitish purple colour smaller than any of the sorts of Clary standing in brownish purple huskes which after the flowers are past while the seed ripeneth turne themselves downeward whereby the seed is lost if it be not gathered in fit time the roote is small and perisheth every yeare requiring to bee new sowne in the Spring for it seldome commeth of the seed that it shed the Frosts and Winter most likely killing it 3. Horminum Syriacum Assirian Clary Assirian Clary is somewhat like
it is the common Gallitricum in Italy Tabermontanus calleth it Sclarea sylvestris And some would make it to be Pliny his Alectorolophus and others to be a kinde of Verbenaca recta upright Vervaine and of Bauhinus Horminum pratense folijs serratis The sixth is called by Clusius Horminum sylvestre 4. niveo flore and is the other sort of his fourth wild kinde in his History of plants Gerard his figure of Horminum sylvestre is the true figure of this plant Tabermontanus calleth it Sclarea sylvestris flore albo and the great Booke of Eysterensis Salvia agrestis flore albo in English hoary wild Clary with a white flower The seventh is the fourth sort of the fourth kinde of wild Clary by Clusius of Bauhinus Horminum majus folijs profundius incisis in English Italian Clary with a red flower The eight is Clusius his first sort of the fourth kind of wild Clary which hee had from Spaine by the name of Baccharis and groweth at Greenewich also Tabermontanus calleth it Sclarea Hispanica and Gerard Gallitricum alterum of Bauhinus Horminum sylvestre lavendulae flore and Clusius saith it is the Sideritis quernofolio of Lugdunensis in English wild Clary with spike flowers The ninth is the Horminum sylvestre of Matthiolus Caesalpinus Castor Durantes and Lugdunensis Tragus calleth it Salvia sylvestris adulterina of Lobel it is called Verbascum nigrum salvifolium purpureo flore and so also of Lugdunensis it is Dodonaeus his Orvula altera and Clusius his fift kinde of wilde Clary whereof there are two sorts the one greater than the other as is set downe in the descriptions Bauhinus calleth them Horminum sylvestre salvifolium majus minus The tenth is Clusius his sixth kinde of wilde Clary which he called Horminum minus supinum Creticum and in English Candy Clary The eleventh is called by Bauhinus Horminum angustifolium laciniatum folijs Scolopendriae at Mompelier it was as hee said sent him likewise by the name of Horminum Creticum album The twefth is called by Lobel Clusius Camerarius Lugdunensis Eystetensis and Gerard Colus Iovis Dodonaeus calleth it Orvala tertia Caesalpinus Melinum Dalechampius and Lugdunensis Galeopsis lutea and is Clusius his second wild Clary Some call it Camphorata some Sphacelus and others thinke it to be Stachys Plinij Bauhinus calleth it Horminum luteum glutinosum Some others also call it Horminum luteum and Horminum Tridentinum The thirteenth is of two sorts the one called Aethiopis and the other Aethiopis altera and by Bauhinus who onely hath written thereof Aethiopis laciniato folio which I have called in Latine Sclarea Aethiopica laciniata as I doe the other Aethiopis sive Sclarea Aethiopica non laciniata for the reasons before alleaged in English Plaine and jagged Ethiopian Clary The Italians call Garden Clary Sclarea Sclareggia Schiaria and herba di S. Giovanni and thereon in Latine herba S. Ioannis and the white Clary Horminis the French call the garden kinde Orvale toute bonne and the wilde sort Orvale Sauvage the Germanes call the one Scarlack and the other wilder Scarlack the Dutch Scarley and wild Scarley in English Clary and wild Clary and Oculus Christi The Vertues Our garden Clary as I said before that Dodonaeus thinketh to be the right wilde Clary of Dioscorides because it is of greater scent and vertue than any of the other sorts which are called wild Clary for Dioscorides saith that the wild kind is more effectuall than the tame or garden kinde is of most use in all Christian Countries I thinke for any inward cause for the true kinde of Dioscorides and the rest of the wild kindes here set downe are lesse are used as I thinke and to lesse effect but the seed thereof chiefly as well as of our garden Clary is used to be put into the eyes to cleare them from any moates or other such like things are gotten within the liddes to offend them as also to cleare them from white or red spots in them The Muccilage of the seed of either sort made with water and applyed to tumors or swellings disperseth and taketh them away and also draweth forth splinters thornes or other things gotten into the flesh the leaves used with vineger either by it selfe or with a little honey doth helpe hot inflammations as also Biles Felons and the hot inflammations that are gathered by their paines if it be applyed before they be growne too great The powder of the dryed leaves put into the nose provoketh neesing and thereby purgeth the head and braines of much rheume and corruption It provoketh to venery either the seed or the leaves taken in wine It is in much use with men or women that have weake backes to helpe to strengthen the reines either used by it selfe or with other hearbes that conduce to the same effect and in tansies often or the fresh leaves fried in butter being first dipped in a batter of flower egges and a little milke served as a dish to the Table is not unpleasant to any but specially profitable for those for whom as I said it is convenient Lobel and Pena saith that some Brewers of Ale and Beere in these Northerne regions I thinke they meane the Netherlands for so Dodonaeus meaneth doe put it into their drinke to make it the more heady fit to please drunkards who thereby according to their severall dispositions become either dead drunke or foolish drunke or madde drunke It bringeth downe womens desired sicknesse and expelleth the secondine or after birth It is used in Italy to bee given to women that are barren through a cold and moist disposition to heate and dry up that moisture and to helpe them to be fruitfull and stayeth the whites it helpeth also a cold stomacke oppresse with cold flegme purgeth the head of rheume and much corruption the overmuch use hereof offendeth the head and is hurtfull for the braine and memory Yellow Clary or Iupiters distaffe is hot and drying and the juyce is of especiall good use to clense and heale foule ulcers The Ethiopion Clary is commended for the roughnesse of the throat and to helpe to expectorate the rotten and purulentous matter in the Pluresie or in other coughes either the decoction of the roote drunke or made into an Electuary with honey Dioscorides saith also it is good for those that are troubled with the Sciatica CHAP. XXI Verbascum Mullein MAny of the Verbasca Mulleins that are properly so called doe grow wild in divers and severall places in our owne Country and therefore are not usually brought into gardens yet because some of them are more rare and seldome met withall I thinke it not amisse to shew you all of them here with those also that have beene sent us from beyond Sea 1. Verbascum album vulgare sive Tapsus barbatus communis Common Mullein 1. Verbascum album vulgare sive Tapsus barbatus communis Common Mullein The common white Mullein hath many faire large woolly white leaves
is observed by Matthiolus that halfe a dramme of the pouder of the dryed leaves of Lavender Cotton taken in a little of the distilled water of Fetherfew every morning fasting for ten dayes together at the least and afterwards every other day is a very profitable medicine for women troubled with the whites to stay them Pliny saith that his Chamaecyparissus which as I said before is taken by some to be this Lavender cotton is good against the poison of all venemous Serpents and Scorpions being taken in wine The seed is generally in all our Country given to kill the wormes either in children or elder persons and accounted to be of as great force as Wormeseed the leaves also are good when seed cannot be had but are not of so great vertue Clusius saith that in Spaine they use the decoction of the Spanish kindes to take away the itch and scabbes in whomsoever have them but he adviseth there should be caution used in giving it CHAP. XXXVI Absinthium Wormewood ALthough Dioscorides and Galen also make mention but of three sorts of Wormewood the one a common sort well knowne as he saith the best growing in Pontus and Cappadocia The other Sea Wormewood or Seriphium and the third Santonicum of the Country beyond the Alpes in France yet there hath since beene found out many hearbes accounted to be kindes or sorts of them for some likenesse of face or vertues or both as shall be declared hereafter 1. Absinthium vulgare Common Wormewood Common Wormewood is well knowne to have many large whitish greene leaves somewhat more hoary underneath much divided or cut into many parts from among which rise up divers hard and wooddy hoary stalkes 1. Absinthium vulgare Common Wormewood 3. Absinthium Ponticum sive Romanum vulgare Common Roman Wormewood two or three foote high beset with the like leaves as grow below but smaller divided at the toppes into smaller branches whereon grow many small buttons with pale yellow flowers in them wherein afterward is conteined small seed the roote is hard and wooddie with many strings thereat the stalkes hereof dye downe every yeare but the roote holdeth a tuft of greene leaves all the winter shooting forth new againe which are of a strong scent but not unpleasant Arborescens and of a very bitter taste There is a Tree Wormewood like hereunto but growing greater and higher in the warme Countries 2 Absinthium Ponticum verum True Roman Wormewood This Wormewood hath more slender and shorter stalkes by a foote at the least than the former and reasonable large leaves yet smaller and more finely cut in and divided then it but as white and hoary both leaves and stalkes the flowers also are of a pale yellow colour standing upon the small branches in the same manner so that but that it is smaller in each part it is altogether like it the rootes likewise are smaller lesse woody and fuller of fibres the smell thereof is somewhat aromaticall sweete and the bitternesse is not so loathsome to taste Vnto this answereth the Absinthium Ponticum Creticum of Bauhinus but that it is in his owne Country more sweet in scent and little or nothing bitter in taste but somewhat altereth in another soyle 3. Absinthium Ponticum sive Romanum vulgare Common Romane Wormewood This is a small low hearbe if I may call it a Wormewood with much more slender short stalkes than the last whereon grow very smal and fine short hoary white leaves smaller and finer than those of the fine Sothernwood which grow at severall joynts many comming forth together at the tops of the stalkes grow small yellowish flowers neither so many nor so great as the last the roote from a short head shooteth forth many long fibres whereby it is nourished in the ground sending forth divers sprouts round about it whereby it is much encreased the smell hereof is faint and farre weaker than the other the taste thereof much lesse bitter 4. Absinthium tenuifolium Austriacum Five leafed Wormewood of Austria This small Wormewood hath many small hard and stiffe hoary stalkes whereon are set without order small and somewhat long hoary leaves very like unto the leaves of Sea Wormewood which stalkes are divided towards the toppes into many other small and slender branches rising from the joynts where the leaves doe grow with many small heads which shew forth many small whitish flowers 5. Absinthium inodorum Vnsavory Wormewood The Vnsavory Wormewood is in leafe so like the first common Wormewood both for the whitenesse largenesse and divisions thereof that it cannot be knowne from it at all unlesse you make your nose the judge of the scent which in this is so small that it is generally said to be without any at all yet it hath in the heate of Summer a small weake smel such as is found in some of the Sothernwoods the flowers and all things else are alike but this is somewhat more tender to be preserved in the Winter than the former 6. Absinthium album sive Vmbelliferum White tufted Wormewood This white Wormewood hath his roote composed of many small blacke fibres which shooteth forth many heads of long somewhat thick and broad hoary white leaves cut in about the edges in some places more than in others narrower at the bottome and broader at the point made somewhat like unto the leaves of the great field Daisie but smaller from some of these heads doe shoot forth slender hoary stalkes about a foote and a halfe high set here and there with such like leaves as grow below but smaller at the tops whereof stand many scaly silver white and greene heads in a tuft together out of which breake forth silver white small 4. Absinthium tenuifolium Austriacum Fine leafed Wormewood of Austria 6. Absinthium album sive Vmbelliferum White tufted Wormewood 7. Absinthium umbelliferum tenuifolium White tufted Wormewood with fine leaves flowers made of many leaves standing in a double row in the middle tipt with a little yellow the whole tuft of flowers doth somewhat resemble the flowers of Yarrow but much more pleasant to behold which stand a great while in flower and afterwards turne into small chaffy seed this holdeth some heads on the leaves all the Winter but are very small untill the Spring begin to come on which then shoote forth and become as large as is expressed before having little or no smell at all but exceeding bitter 7. Absinthium umbelliferum tenuifolium White tufted Wormewood with fine leaves This other white Wormewood hath much smaller and finer cut leaves than the former but as hoary white as the other the stalkes are shorter not rising so high the umbell or tuft of flowers is somewhat smaller also but as white so that it differeth in nothing from the former but in the smalnesse of the plant and in the small and fine divisions of the leaves neither hath it any more smell or lesse bitter taste Bauhinus maketh two sorts more of this
nations calling it Lupulus salictarius The Arabians have not onely remembred it but commended the use of it highly for many diseases as you shall heare by and by Mesues maketh it his third kind of Volubilis with rough leaves among his purging plants the Greekes at this day call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bryon and Bryonia it is likely for the forme of the leaves and running of the branches It is called Lupulus Lupus salictarius reptitius quia salit reptat per arbores vel quia scandit salices of all our moderne writers onely Lobel calleth it Vitis septentrionalium the Vine of the Northerne regions and Tragus as I sayd before thinking it to be Smilax aspera the Italians call it Lupolo the Spaniards Hombrazillos the French Honblon the Germaines Hopffen the Dutch Hoppe and we in English Hoppes The Vertues The first buds of the Hoppes being layd a while in sand maketh them the tenderer and being boyled are used to be eaten after the same manner that the buds of Asparagus are and with as great delight for the taste yet they have little nourishment in them their Physicall operation therefore is to open the obstructions of the Liver and spleene to clense the blood to loosen the belly and to clense the Raines from gravell and to cause them to make water in whom it is stayed the decoction of the toppes of the Hoppes of the tame as well as of the wilde and so also the rootes doe worke the same effects but that they are somewhat hotter than the young buds which have more moysture in them in clensing the blood they helpe to cure the French disease and all manner of scabbes itch and other breakings out in the body as also all tetters ringwormes and spreading sores the morphew likewise and all discolourings of the skin and are used in Agues the decoction of the flowers and tops are used to be drunk to helpe and expell poyson that any one hath drunk half a dram of the seede in powder taken in drink killeth the worms in the body it likewise bringeth down womens courses expelleth Vrine The flowers and heads being put into bathes for women to sit in take away the swellings and hardnesse of the Mother and is good for the strangurie or those that very hardly make their water the juyce of the leaves dropped into the eares clenseth the corrupt sores and stench arising from the corruption in them Mesues saith they purge choler but worke more effectually being steeped in whey of goates milke A Syrupe made of the juyce and sugar cureth those that have the yellow jaundise easeth the headach that cometh of heate and tempereth the heate both of the liver and stomack and is very profitably given in long hot agues that rise of choler and blood Those bakers that will use the decoction of Hoppes to mould up their bread shal make thereby their bread to rise better and be baked the sooner Clusius recitetn the manner of a medecine used in Spaine by women leeches to cure the falling of the haire caused by the french disease in this sort A pound of the roots of Hopps wel washed boyled in 8 pints of faire water to the consumption of the third part or a halfe if they see cause whereof they give half a pint to drink in a morning causing them to sweate well after into the decoction they put sometimes two or three roots of parsly and as many of couch grasse with a few Raysins of the sunne The Ale which our forefathers were accustomed onely to drinke being a kinde of thicker drinke than beere caused a stranger to say of it Nil spissius dum bibitur nil clarius dum mingitur unde constat multas faeces in ventre relinquit that is there is no drinke thicker that is drunke there is no Vrine cleerer that is made from it it must needes be therefore that if leaveth much behinde it in the belly is now almost quite left off to be made the use of Hoppes to be put therein altering the quality thereof to be much more healthfull or rather physicall to preserve the body from the repletion of grosse humors which the Ale engendred The Wilde Hoppes are generally used Physically more than the manured either because the Wilde is thought to be the more opening and effectuall or more easily to come by or that the owners of the manured will not spare or lose so much profit as that which would be taken away might yeeld yet assuredly they are both of one property take which you will or can get CHAP. XIII Bryonia sive Vitis sylvestris Bryonie or Wilde Vine VNder this title of Bryonye I must comprehend diverse and sundry plants some whereof are of our Land and found plentifully therein others are strangers comming from other parts Among which I must remember the Mechoacan of America a plant neerest resembling the white Bryonie as you shall heare when we come to it and some others also that are strangers of those parts 1. Bryonia vulgaris sive Vitis alba The common white Bryonie or wild Vine The white Bryonie or wild Vine that groweth commonly abroad ramping up on the hedges sendeth forth many long rough very tender branches at the beginning growing with many very rough broad leaves thereon cut into five partitions for the most part in forme very like a Vine leafe but smaller rougher and of a whitish or hoarie greene colour spreading very farre upon trees or bushes or whatsoever standeth next it and twining with his small claspers that come forth at the joynts with the leaves at the severall joynts also with the leaves and claspers come forth especially towards the toppes of the branches a long stalke bearing thereon many whitish flowers together in a long tufte consisting of five small leaves a peece layd open like a starre after which come the berries standing more seperate one from another then a cluster of grapes greene at the first and very red when they are through ripe of the bignesse of Nightshade berries of no good sent but of a most loathsome taste provoking vomit the roote groweth to be exceeding greate with many long twines or branches growing from it of a pale whitish colour on the outside and more white within and of a sharpe bitter loathsome taste 2. Bryonia alba vulgaris fructu nigro Common white Bryonie with blacke berries This Bryonie differeth from the former white kinde neither in the running rough branches or in the leaves or in any other thing from it but in these two particulars the berries hereof are blacke and not red when they are through ripe and the roote is of a pale yellow colour on the inside and somewhat brownish on the outside 3. Bryonia Cretica dicoccos Candie white Bryonie with double berries The white Bryonie of Candy shooteth forth many long rough trayling branches in the same manner like the former in all respects with clasping tendrells winding it selfe upon
quality is well perceived by colouring the urine red even as Rubarb will dye it yellow the poperty in them both being a like to open and then to binde and strengthen it is an assured remedye for the yellow Iaundise by opening the obstructions of the Liver and gall and clensing those parts it openeth likewise the obstructions of the spleene and diminisheth the melancholike humour it is availeable also for those that have the palsie and feele the paines of the hippes called Sciatica it is usually given with good effect to those that have had bruises by falls or blowes and inwardly felt as much as outwardly and therefore it is much used in vulnerasie drinkes the roote for all these purposes aforesayd it to be boyled in wine or in water as the cause doth require and some honey or sugar put thereto afterwards the seede hereof taken with vinegar and honey helpeth the swellings and hardnesse of the spleene the decoction of the leaves and branches is a good fomentation for women to sit over that have not their courses the leaves and rootes beaten and applyed to any part that is discoloured with freckles morphew the white scurfe or any other such deformitie of the skinne clenseth them throughly and taketh them away CHAP. LVI Rubia minor Small or little Madder THe smaller madders are many that have beene lately found out by the diligence of painefull Herbarists or lovers of herbes some in one Country some in another all which I meane to comprehend in this Chapter that so you may have them all recorded together but although there be diverse other herbes as Asperula Aparino Gallium Mollugo and Cruciata that may be reckoned as kinds of Madder and might and should be joyned together if I follow the course of other Herballs that doe or should joyne the congenere yet because I have tyed my selfe to another course let me referre them to another fit place but not expell them from your sight and knowledge 1. Rubia spicata Cretica latiore folio Candy Madder with a spiked head and larger leaves This small Madder shooteth forth diverse square rough slender stalkes full of joynts from whence grow many branches and where also stand 4 or 5 small leaves compassing them and somewhat rough the top branches end in small long spiked heads foure square composed of many short rough huskes set close together one above another 1.2 Rubia spicata Cretica latifolia angusti folia Candye Madder with spiked heads and with larger and smaller leaves 5. Rubia pratensis minor curules Small Madder with purplish blew flowers from whence come forth small whitish greene flowers scarce to be seene after which come forth small greenish seede the roote is composed of many small fibres set unto a reddish bigger sprigge somewhat wooddy and perishing every yeare 2. Rubia spicata angustifolia Spiked Madder with smaller leaves This spiked Madder is a kinde of the former differing in this onely that it is lesse both in stalkes branches and leaves not growing above an hand breadth high and with as small leaves as Knawell perishing every yeare 3. Rubia pratensis laevis acuto folio Small smooth Madder with sharpe pointed leaves This smooth Madder shooteth forth one smooth square joynted stalke for the most part halfe a yarde in length from the joynts whereof grow other smaller branches whereat are set foure small long leaves usually and no more ending in a small point the flowers that come forth at the toppes are small and yellow at the first and of a pale white colour afterwards made of foure leaves 4. Rubia quadrifolia rotunda levis Small smooth Madder with round pointed leaves This other small smooth Madder hath many square stalkes halfe a foote long sending forth other smaller branches and at every joynt foure small round pointed leaves that are not altogether so smooth as the last but rather a little rough at the toppes whereof stand small white flowers upon small threddie foote stalkes made of foure leaves a peece the roote is small threddie and reddish 5. Rubia minor pratensis coerulea Small creeping Madder with purplish blew flowers This small Madder creepeth upon the ground with many small square smooth branches much divided or separated into other small ones full of joynts and at every of them five or sixe small round and very fresh greene leaves smooth also or but very little rough from these joynts and roundels of leaves as well as from the toppes of the branches come severall small flowers made of five blewish purple round pointed leaves with some small threds in the middle the seede is small and long pointed two for the most part standing together the roote is small and of a reddish yellow colour abiding all the winter with greene leaves thereon and will encrease plentifully from the seede it sheddeth every yeare 6. Rubia minima saxatilis The small rocke Madder This smallest Madder groweth not much above an hand breadth high with a square stalke spreading small branches from the joynts at which grow 7 or 8 small long pointed leaves even the smallest and narrowest of 〈◊〉 before mentioned being somewhat rough also the flowers are very small and of a pale red or blush colour standing in tuftes or umbels at the toppes of the branches the roote is small and reddish as all the other sorts are 7. Rubia Echinata saxatilis Small Rocke Madder with prickely heads This small Madder shooteth forth from a small whitish threddie roote many tender square branches small and slender below next unto the roote and thicker up higher distinguished by many thicke and hayrie joynts whereat grow foure small leaves lesser than those of Rue betweene the leaves and the branches come forth small greenish flowers for the most part standing together 6. Rubia minima saxatilis The small rockâ—e Madder upon a foote stalke each of them consisting of foure leaves with certaine small threds in the middle after which rise small heads somewhat rough which when they are thorough ripe and dry are more sharpe and prickly divided into foure parts as armes or wings on each side of the head the middle part also being prickely wherein is conteined small yellow seede it flowreth by degrees the lowest joynts first and the higher afterwards 8. Rubia argentea Cretica Candy silver-leafed Madder This small Madder is like the former small Madder but that the leaves are longer and whiter and the flowers yellow The Place The first groweth in Candye and abideth well with us the second groweth upon the hils not farre from Mompelier the third in Germany in the fields neere the bathes of Luke and by Lipswick also the fourth on the hils in Switzerland about Strasbourg likewise the fift groweth plentifully in many places of our owne land the sixt groweth also in diverse places with us and upon the chalkie hils neere Drayton over against the Isle of Wight the seaventh was found by Fabius Columnus on the ruinous moyst walls of Dioclesians bathes in Rome the last in Candye as
not to answer Dioscorides his notes thereof because it is in forme so like 〈◊〉 a great Selinum and for this opinion Lobel yerkes him too critically shewing that Levisticum is too hot and sharpe and in no place used to be eaten as a wort or sallet herbe and that he did unworthily taxe Brasovolus for taking the 〈◊〉 of the Italians to be this Hypposelinum by the false translation of Marcellus Virgilius in giving 〈…〉 of Hypposelinum to be blacke without and white whithin when as Dioscorides maketh no mention of any blacknesse in the roote Lobel also saith that it is the true Hypposelinum as they affirmed by the judgement of the 〈◊〉 learned in these dayes and yet by all their leaves the roote of Dioscorides is different from it who such it is white when as this is blacke that it is small but this is not so which maketh Columna in the scanning of Smyrnium to say that he would further search what Dioscorides his Hypposelinum should be as not holding this that we account of to be so Now concerning the other doubt whether this Hipposelinum or the other plant called Smyrnium Creticum should be the true Smyrnium of Dioscorides or no the currant opinion of most Writers in these 〈…〉 that this Smyrnium Creticum is the same and yet as Columna hath in the said place very worthily and throughly examined the matter it is nothing so for Dioscorides describeth his Smyrnium first that it was called Petroselinum in Cilicia and that it hath leaves of a good smell sharpe or quicke on the tongue with some pleasantnesse 〈…〉 also that the seed is round like to Colewort seed wherein Columna thinketh some mistaking of the 〈…〉 to be that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is set down in stead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for as he saith the seed is as like to the seed Canchrys as 〈…〉 the black colour black of a sharpe taste like Myrrhes sweete Chervill so that one may be used 〈…〉 other and that the roote is blacke without and of a whitish greene colour on the inside of a sweete 〈…〉 sharpe taste heating the mouth both roote seed leaves being of an heating propertie not any one of 〈…〉 or notes except in the seed to be blacke and round is to be found in this Smyrnium Creticum and 〈…〉 be the right whether then the Hypposelinum of Dioscorides can be Smyrnium Dioscorides himselfe 〈…〉 and saith that although some called it Smyrnium yet the true Smyrnium was another herbe even the 〈…〉 have one of Dioscorides his description set downe a few lines here before unto you Theophrastus hath set forth in Hipposelinum lib. 9. c. 5. and spoken of it in other places which is plainely differing from the Hipposelinum of Dioscorides and neerest unto if not the same within his Smyrnium for Therphrastus saith that his Hipposelinum rendred by Gaza Equapium doth yeeld a juyce from the roote like unto Myrrha or Myrrhi as Dioscorides saith of his Smyrnium so that by this that hath beene said although it be somewhat tedious yet I could not more briefely declare them we finde that Smyrnium Creticum is not the true Smyrnium of Dioscorides as 〈◊〉 Camerarius Dodonaeus Lobel Lugdunensis Tabermontanus and Gerard hath set it downe nor that the Hipposelinum of Dioscorides which is called also Olus atrum with us is sufficiently knowne although some authors call it Hypposelinum nor is that which it is taken to be by the defect of some of the notes or markes that Dioscorides giveth it and lastly that the Hipposelinum of Theophrastus doth agree with the Smyrnium of Dioscorides but not with his Hipposelinum being different plants and so Matthiolus Cordus on Dioscorides Gesner in hortis Camerarius and Columna set it downe Columna his Iudgement is that the seede of this Hipposelinum or Smyrnium may more 〈◊〉 be used for Petroselinum Macedonicum if his other fine leafed herbe that hath the smell of Garden Parsley be refused or not to be had than either the common Parsley seede or that of Venice called Petroselinum Macedonicum by many and by him Daucus secundus Dioscoridis The Italians call the first Macerone the Spaniards 〈◊〉 Macedonico the French Alexandre the Germans Gross Epffich the Dutch Peterselie van Macedonieu and 〈…〉 and Petersolio van Allexandrien and we in English Allisanders The Vertues Our Allisanders are much used to make broth with the upper part of the roote which is the tenderest part and the 〈◊〉 being boiled together and some eate them either raw with some vinegar or stew them and so eate 〈◊〉 and this chiefely in the time of Lent to helpe to digest the crudities and viscous humours are gathered in 〈…〉 by the much use of fish at that time it doth also warme any other cold stomacke and by the bitternesse 〈◊〉 to open obstructions of the liver and spleene to move womens course to expell the after birth to 〈…〉 to provoke urine and helpe the strangury and these things the seede will doe likewise if either of 〈◊〉 boyled in wine or taken in wine and is effectuall against the bitings of Serpents Wee know of no good 〈…〉 the other hath being in a manner incipide CHAP. XXXI Selinum Segetale Corne Parsley _ 〈◊〉 finish these Apia Parsleyes let me joyne this unto them which Iohn Goodier first gave me the knowledge of with some seede which springeth in my garden I thus describe unto you it is a small low herbe having sundry winged long leaves lying on the ground many being set one against another finely dented about the edges with one at the end which are each of them longer than Burnet 〈◊〉 and pointed at the ends among which rise sundry round stalkes halfe a yard high with the 〈…〉 on them branching forth likewise from the joynts and all of them bearing small umbells 〈…〉 which turne into small blackish seede lesse than Parsley but as hot and sharpe in taste as it the 〈…〉 long and white and perishing every yeare after it hath feeded and riseth againe of its owne 〈…〉 The Place and Time 〈…〉 in the fields among the corne or where corne hath beene sowne in divers places of the land it 〈…〉 me untill August and the seede ripened a month after at the least The Names 〈…〉 gave it me by the name of Sium terrestre and after that I found it an umbelliferous plant 〈…〉 be referred to the Selina or Apia and called it then Apium Sijfolijs from the compostiâ—â— Selinum Segetale Corne Parsley of the leaves like unto Sium odoratum Tragi but since that I heard it I suited it with Selinum Segetale which is Corne Parsley but it is called in some places of the land Homewort The Vertues Because the seede is both in forme like Parsley and as hot in taste there is no doubt but that it is very neere of the same propertie with Parsley but because I have not made any triall thereof my selfe I can say no more but what Mr. Goodyer related
Ethiopia and Africa and from thence hath beene brought into Syria Egypt Italy c. wheresoever it is seene to bee sowen and loveth onely to grow in moist grounds or such as may be overflowen in the Summer time and the waters let out againe being but a Summer Corne and is yearely sowen and gathered in the middle or end of Autumne with us but twise a yeare in divers places of the East Indies whose goodnesse chiefely consisteth in the largenesse and whitenesse which the hotter countries onely produce The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so in Latine Oryza by all authors yet some doe call it Italica for a difference to the Oryza Germanica which Cordus on Dioscorides saith is called Schwaden with them or being a kinde thereof at the least although lesser having the same taste and use and the same proportion in stalkes leaves and spikes with a juba like Milium growing also in marish and plashy places as Rice doth yet Hermolaus Ruellius and some other have thought it to bee the Hordeum Galaticum of Columella but I have shewed you what that is in the Chapter of Barly why Galen should account Rice inter legumina potius quam inter cerealia as he did before of Oates and of Panick afterwards many doe wonder seeing their formes are so different but himselfe I thinke rendereth the reason because it was not made into bread as the rest of the other Cornes are The Arabians call it Arz and Arzi the Italians Rizo the Spaniards Arroz the French Rys the Germanes Reiss the Dutch Rijs and we Rice The Vertues Rice is chiefely used medecinally to stay the Laskes or fluxes of the stomacke as well as of the belly especially if it be a little parched before it be used and Steele quenched in the milke wherein it shall be boyled being somewhat binding and drying it is thought also to encrease seed being boyled in milke and some Sugar and Cinamon put thereunto the flower of Rice is of the same propertie and is sometimes also put into cataplasmes that are applied to repell humors from flowing or falling to the place and is also conveniently applyed to womens breasts to stay inflammations when they begin CHAP. XXIII Milium Millet OF Millet there are divers sorts some familiarly growing in Europe others brought out of the more remote countries as shall be declared 1. Milium vulgare album Common white Millet This Millet groweth with many hard joynted tall stalkes full of a white Pith yet soft and a little hairy or downy on the outside with long and large Reede-like leaves at them compassing one another the toppes of the stalkes are furnished with a number of whitish yellow long sprigges like feathers bowing downe their heads set all along with small seede inclosed in a whitish huske which being taken forth are of a shining pale yellowish or whitish colour somewhat hard little bigger then the seede of Fleawort the roote busheth much in the ground but perisheth yearely 2. Milium nigrum Blacke Millet This other Millet differeth little from the former being somewhat lesse with us saying that as the juba or tuft is brownish so is the seede also blackish and shining very like else to the other 3. Melica sive Sorghum Indian Millet This Millet is in all the parts thereof larger greater and higher then the former rising to be five or six foot high or more the stalkes are full of joynts and large long leaves at them the juba or tuft standeth upright and boweth not downe the head as the other whereon stand the seede as big but not flat as Lentills somewhat round and eyther whitish yellow red or blackish hard and shining the roote busheth more then the other yet perisheth also The Place and Time Millet of all the sorts came first into Europe out of the Easterne countries the two first sorts long before the last kinde and the sortes of it and require a strong ground well watered for they soone empoverish a ground if it be not still enriched nor will it prosper in leane drie soile it is to be sowne in Aprill and the graine in the hotter climates will be ripe in August or September 1. 2. Milium vulgare album vel nigrum Common Millet with white seede or blacke 3. Melica sive Sorghum Indian Millet The Names 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greeke is called Milium in Latine a miliaria summa derivatum ait Festus Galen calleth it Paspales and others Paspale Varro thinketh it is Meline but Dioscorides and Galen make Meline to be Panicum All Authors call the two first sorts Milium with their distinctions of blacke and white the last is called Milium Iudicum by Matthiolus and others and Sarasenicum by Fuchsius and Melica by Dodonaeus Sorghum also and Sugho Italorum by Lobel Gesner calleth it Panicum Indicum and Tragus Panicum Dioscoridis and Plinij Bellonius also saith that in Cilicia they call it Hareomen as the Arabians doe whereof they make their Bread or Pultage and of the stalkes their fire in want of other fewell it is called Mazzo di Congo by the Portugalls finding it in that Kingdome the Arabians call it Gegners and Giavers the Italians Miglio and Sorgho the Spaniards Milho and Migo the French Mill and Millet the Germanes Hirsz the Dutch Hirs and wee is English Millet and the last Turkie or Indian Millet and of some Italian Millet The Vertues Galen saith it cooleth in the first degree and dryeth in the third almost and hath withall a little tenuitie of parts the graine saith Theophrastus if it be kept from winde and weather will ever last and abide it is sometimes made into bread but it is very brittle not having any tenacitie in it whereby it nourisheth little but dryeth up moist humors yet is it much used in Germany boyled in milke with some Sugar put unto it Matthiolus saith that at Veroâ—a the bread thereof is eaten with great delight while it is hot by reason of the sweetenesse but being old it is hard and utterly unpleasant the gruell or pultage saith Dioscorides bindeth the belly and provoketh urine the Apozeme made thereof called Syrupus Ambrosianus or as Wecker hath it Syrupus Ambrosij taken warme with a little white Wine procureth sweating mightily being covered in bed and is effectuall to coole hot Fevers and to quench thirst being put into a bag and fryed hot caseth the griping paines of the Collicke and of the sides if it be applyed the paines also in the joynts and sinewes in Italy and other places they give the graine to their Pullen and Pigeons to fatten them The Indian Millet stalkes saith Matthiolus are good to helpe those that are troubled with Kernells under the eares or else where in this manner Take the pith out of ten of the joynts of the stalkes of this Millet which being burned with a new red sponge take the powder of them with twelve graines of Pepper and an ounce of
it warmeth the coldnesse of any part whereunto it is applied and digesteth raw or corrupt matter being boyled drunk it provoketh womens monthly courses expelleth the dead child and after-birth and stayeth the disposition to vomit taken in posset that is water and vineger mingled it allayeth the gnawing of the stomack being mingled with Honey and Aloes and drunke it causeth flegme to be avoyded forth of the lungs and helpeth crampes which place is observed by Cornarius in his third Booke and 31. Embleme to be erroneous for who ever used Aloes in any medicine that was to expectorate flegme but in stead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it should be written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so Pliny expresseth it in lib. 20. cap. 14 Hepaticis cum melle sale bibendum datur pulmonum vitia excreabilia facit with honey and salt it is a safe and good medicine for the lunges it avoydeth melancholy by the stoole drunke with wine it helpeth such as are bitten or stung with venemous beasts applyed to the nostrils with vineger it reviveth those that are fainting or sounding being dryed and burnt it strengthneth the gums it is helpfull to those that are troubled with the gowt applyed of it selfe to the place untill it wax red applyed in a cerot or a plaister it taketh away spots or markes in the face it much profiteth those that are spleenetick or livergrowne being applyed with salt the decoction helpeth those that have itches if the places affected bee washed therewith being put into bathes for women to sit therein it helpeth the swelling and hardnesse of the mother and when it is out of its place Some copies doe adde that if the greene hearbe be bruised and put into vineger it clenseth foule ulcers and causeth the matter to digest it taketh away the markes or bruises of blowes about the eyes which we call blacke and blue eyes and all discolourings of the face by the fire yea and the leprosie being drunke and applyed outwardly being boyled in wine with honey and salt it helpeth the toothach it helpeth the cold griefes of the joynts taking away the paines and warming the cold parts being fast bound to the place after a bathing or having beene in a hot house Pliny addeth hereunto that Mints and Penny-royall agree very well together in helping faintings or swonings being put into vineger and put to the nostrils to be smelled unto or a little thereof put into the mouth It easeth the head-ach and the paines of the breast and belly stayeth the gnawing of the stomack and the inward paines of the bowels being drunke in wine provoketh vrine and womens courses and expelleth the after-birth and dead child it helpeth the falling-sicknesse being given in wine put also into unwholsome and stinking waters that men must drinke as at Sea in long voyages it maketh them the lesse hurtfull it lesneth the fatnesse of the body being given with wine but here Pliny is supposed to have mis-interpreted the Greeke word translating it Salsitudines corporis for the thought to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is anxietates which Hippocrates in Aphorism 56. lib. 7. saith is taken away by drinking it in an equall proportion of wine and water it helpeth crampes or the convulsions of the sinewes being applyed with honey salt and Vineger It is very effectuall for the cough boyled in milke and drunke and for the ulcers or sores of the mouth Thus saith Pliny Galen saith that being sharpe and somewhat bitter it heateth much and extenuateth also And in that it heateth much may be knowne by this that it maketh the place red where it is applyed and raiseth blisters if it be suffered to lie long upon it And that it doth extenuate is sufficiently seene by this that it doth cause thick and tough flegme to be avoyded forth of the lungs and chest and that with ease as also that it procureth the feminine courses Matthiolus saith and so doth Castor Durantes also that the decoction thereof drunke helpeth the jaundise and dropsie and all paines of the head and sinewes that come a cold cause and that it helpeth to cleare and quicken the eye-sight It was used as Durantes saith in stead of Dictamus Cretensis for it should seeme in his time also the true Dictamus was not knowne which was in A◠1585. who saith that bruised and with vineger applyed to the nostrils of those that have the falling-sicknesse or the lethargie or put into the mouth helpeth them much and applyed with barly meale it helpeth burnings by fire it bringeth the loosned matrix to its place and dissolveth the windinesse and hardnesse thereof easeth all paines and inflamations of the eyes and comforteth and quickneth the eye-sight being put therein as also put into the eares easeth the paines of them CHAP. XIII Mentha Mintes THere are many sorts of Mints some chiefly nourished up in Gardens others growing wilde either on the mountaines which for their rarity and diversitie are brought also into Gardens or the wet and overflowne marishes or the Water it selfe 1. Mentha Romana angustifolio sive Cardiaca Hart Mint or Speare Mint This Mint hath divers round stalkes and longer and narrower 1. Mentha Romana angustifolio sive Cardiaca Hart Mint or Speare Mint leaves set thereon than the next Mint and groweth somewhat lower and smaller and of a darker greene colour than it the flowers stand in spiked heads at the tops of the branches being of a pale blush colour the smell or scent hereof is somewhat neere unto Basill It encreaseth by the root underground as all the others doe 2. Mentha Cruciata Crosse Mint The Crosse Mint hath his square stalkes somewhat hoary and the leaves thereon hairy also rougher broader and rounder than the former which stand on all sides thereof one against another two at a joynt so that they represent a crosse thereby giving it the name the flowers stand in spiky heads of a purplish colour somewhat deeper than it 3. Mentha fusca sive vulgaris Red or Browne Mints This Mint hath square brownish stalkes with somewhat long and round pointed leaves nicked about the edges of a darke greene and sometimes reddish colour set by couples at the joynts and of a reasonable good scent the flowers are reddish standing by spaces about the tops of the stalkes the roots runne creeping in the ground as the rest doe and will as hardly be extirped as the rest 4. Mentha Crispa Crispe or Curld Mint The greatest difference in this kinde of Mint from the last consisteth first in the leaves which are almost as round as the last but more rough or crumpled or as it were curld then in the flowers which are purplish standing in rundles about the toppes of stalkes and in the smell hereof which commeth neerest unto Balme 5. Mentha Crispa Danica aut Germanica speciosa The great Curld Mint of Germany This brave Mint creepeth with his rootes as the others doe having divers high stalkes
aquatica exigua Pulegium sylvestre and by Bauhinus Calamintha arvensis verticillata The Vertues Calamint is very hot and sharpe the hearbe onely is used the root is unprofitable The decoction thereof drunke bringeth down womens courses and provoketh urine It is profitable for those that are bursten and those that are troubled with convulsions or crampes with shortnesse of breath and with cholerick torments and paines in their bellyes and stomacks it helpeth the yellow-jaundise also and stayeth vomiting being taken in wine taken with salt and honey it killeth all manner of wormes in the body It helpeth such as have the lepry either taken inwardly drinking Whey after it or the greene hearbe applyed outwardly if it bee applyed in wooll as a pessary to the privie parts of a woman it draweth downe the courses and easeth paines of the mother but killeth the birth and therefore to bee refused of women with child It driveth away venemous Serpents being either burned or strewed in the chamber It taketh away black and blue spots and markes in the face and maketh black scarres to become well coloured if the greene hearb and not the dry be boyled in wine and laid to the place or the place washed therewith being laid to the huckle-bone or haunch where the paine of the Sciatica resteth by continuance of time it so healeth the place that it draweth forth and spendeth the humours that were the cause of the paine This was a course held in Dioscorides time but our Physicians and Chirurgians doe not so use it now adayes It killeth the wormes of the eares if the juyce be dropped into them the leaves boyled in wine and drunke provoketh sweat and openeth the obstructions both of the liver and spleene it helpeth also them that have a tertian ague the body being first purged by taking away the cold fits that goe before it the decoction hereof with some Sugar put therto afterwards is very profitable for those that be troubled with the overflowing of the gaule and that have an old cough that are scarce able to breath by the shortnesse of their winde that have any cold distemperature in their bowels and are troubled with the hardnesse of the spleene for all which purposes both the powder called Diacalamenthes and the compound Syrupe of Calamint which are to be had at the Apothecaries are most effectuall CHAP. XV. Nepeta Neppe or Calamint THere are divers sorts of Neppe some vulgar and others more rare which I intend to bring to your knowledge which are these 1. Nepeta major vulgaris Common Garden Nep. The Common garden Neppe shooteth forth hard foure-square stalkes with an hoarinesse on them a yard high or more full of branches bearing at every joynt two broad leaves for forme and largenesse somewhat like unto Balme but longer pointed softer whiter and more hoary â—nicked also about the edges and are of a strong sweet scent not offensive to any but very pleasing to Cats who will rub themselves thereon all over the flowers grow in large tufts at the toppes of the branches and underneath them likewise on the stalkes many together of a whitish purple colour the rootes are composed of many long strings and fibres fastning themselves strongly in the ground and abide with greene leaves thereon all the Winter 2. Nepeta media Middle sized Neppe This other Nep hath likewise square hard stalkes not so great as the former but rather more in number and sometimes as high the leaves are smaller by almost the halfe harder greener and nothing so strong in scent set by couples upon the stalkes which branch not in that manner the flowers are fewer smaller and growing onely by spaces along them up to the toppes of a faint purplish colour gaping like the other and after them such like small round seed in the huskes the rootes are greater longer and more wooddy abiding many yeares in the ground but holding no greene leaves thereon in the winter 3. Nepeta minor Small Neppe 3. Nepeta minor Small Neppe This small Neppe hath divers foure-square hard and hoary stalkes rising from the root which dye not after seed-bearing but shoote fresh branches not above a foote high with two small long and narrow leaves snipt or dented about the edges and hoary also of a stronger scent than the common and of a hotter taste the stalkes shoote forth into many branches at the toppes whereof stand many small gaping white flowers spike fashion like the ordinary after whicn come small blacke seed like the other Casper Bauhinus in his Prodromus Theatri Botanici setteth downe a small Neppe which he saith doth differ from this of Clusius but the description thereof doth so neerely resemble it that I am more than halfe perswaded it is the very same 4 Mentha Cataria minor Alpina Small Mountaine Neppe or Catmint In the same place he setteth downe another Neppe smaller than his former with square brownish stalkes of a foot height branching forth whereon are smaller leaves set then the former being somewhat broad almost three square and hoary the flowers are small and whitish set or placed spike fashion at the tops like unto the common kinde 5. Nepeta peregrina latifolia Strange Neppe with broad leaves This strange Neppe hath a square hoary stalke spreading into branches on all sides from the bottome to the toppe set with two leaves at every space which are broader than the next that followeth but yet are not much broader but longer than the ordinary Neppe dented about the edges and of an hoary greene colour the flowers stand in spaces about the toppes of the stalkes almost of a pure white colour like in forme unto the common Neppe but larger after which commeth the seed which is blacke like it also the smell of the whole plant is stronger and sharper but more pleasing than it 5. Nepeta peregrina latifolia Strange Neppe with broad leaves 6. Nepeta peregrina angustifolia Strange Neppe with narrow leaves This other Neppe is of the same kind with the former and differeth from it onely in that the leaves are smaller and narrower but neither in colour or smell or any other thing differing The Place The first and second growe wild in other Countries but are nursed up onely in Gardens in ours as all the rest are the third the fift and the sixt doe grow in Spaine for from thence the seed came that brought foorth these goodly plants The fourth Bauhinus saith groweth upon some hilly grounds about Naples from whence hee received seed The Time They doe all flower in Iuly or thereabouts with the ordinary sort The Names The ordinary garden sort is called of some Cataria and Cattaria and of others Mentha Cataria and Mentha felina because as I said before Cats delight both to smell and eate thereof and gladly rub themselves against it but of most with us Nepeta Gerard saith that our Nepeta is called Pulegium sylvestre but hee is therein much mistaken for Dioscorides saith that the
kind lesse sharpe or thorny than the other and calleth it Cardiaca Melica sive Molucca minus aspera Molucca Syriaca Bauhinus calleth it Melissa Moluccana odorata as he doth the fifth Melissa Moluccana foetida making the one to be sweet and the other stinking Lobel calleth it Molucca asperior Syriaca and saith moreover that it is called Maseluc of the Turkes Caesalpinus would referre both these kindes unto the Alissum of Dioscorides and Pliny and Bauhinus saith they are like to the Alissum of Galen They have their English names over their heads The last is called Cardiaca of most of our later Writers for it is likely it was not knowne to them of ancienter ages yet Dodonaeus formerly tooke it to be a Sideritis Tragus to be a wilde Baulme Brunfelsius to bee Marrubium mas Anguillara to bee Licopsis or Branca lupina Bauhinus calleth it Marrubium forte primum Theophrasti Caesalpinus thinketh that it is the Alissum of Galen and Aetius We doe call it Motherwort in English as truely from the effects to helpe the Mother as they call it Cardiaca from the effects to helpe the heart as you shall heare by and by the Arabians call Baulme Bederengie Bedarungi Cederenzegum Turungen or Trungian and Marmacor the Italians Melissa Codronella and Aranciata the Spaniards Torengil yerva cidrera the French Melisse Poncirade the Germanes Melissen Binenkrant and the Dutch Melisse Honichbaum Consille degreyn and we in English Bawme from the singular effects therein in imitation of the true naturall Baulme The Vertues The Arabian Physicians have extolled the vertues of Baulme for the passions of the heart in a wonderfull maner which the Greekes have not remembred for Serapio saith it is the property of Baulme to cause the minde and heart to become merry to revive the fainting heart falling into swounings to strengthen the weaknesse of the spirits and heart and to comfort them especially such who are overtaken in their sleepe therewith taking away all motion of the pulse to drive away all troublesome cares and thoughts out of the minde whether those passions rise from melancholly or black choller or burnt flegme which Avicen confirmeth in his booke of medicines proper for the heart where he saith that it is hot and dry in the second degree that it maketh the heart merry and strengthneth the vitall spirits both by the sweetnesse of smell austerity of taste and tenuity of parts with which qualities it is helpfull also to the rest of the inward parts and bowels It is to good purpose used for a cold stomack to helpe digestion and to open the obstruction of the braine It hath a purging quality therein also saith Avicen and that not so weake but that it is of force to expell those melancholly vapours from the spirits and from the blood which are in the heart and arteries although it cannot doe so in the other parts of the body Dioscorides saith that the leaves drunke in wine and laid to is a remedy against the sting of Scorpions and the poison of the Phalangium or venemous Spider as also against the bytings of Dogges and commendeth the decoction thereof for women to bathe or sit in to procure their courses and that it is good to wash the teeth therewith when they are full of paine and that it is profitable for those that have the bloody flixe The leaves also with a little Niter are taken in drinke against a surfet of Mushroms it helpeth the griping paines of the belly and is good for them that cannot take their breath unlesse they hold their necks upright being taken in a Lohoc or licking Electuary used with salt it taketh away wennes kernels or hard swellings in the flesh or throate it clenseth foule sores and is an helpe to ease the paines of the gowt Galen saith in his seventh Booke of Simples that Baulme is like unto Horehound in qualities but weaker by much and therefore few will use Baulme when Horehound is so plentifull and neere at hand to be had every where Pliny saith in lib. 20. cap. 11. that in Sardinia it is poyson wherein it is very probable that he was much mistaken and for Sardonia herba which is called of some Apium risus and of Apuleius Apiastellum he tooke this Apiastrum or Baulme the juyce thereof used with a little honey is a singular remedy for the dimnesse of the sight and to take away the mistinesse of the eyes It is of especiall use among other things for the plague or pestilence and the water thereof is used for the same purposes It is also good for the liver and spleene A Tansie or Caudle made with egges and the juyce thereof while it is young putting some Sugar and Rosewater unto it is often given to women in child-bed when the afterbirth is not throughly avoided and for their faintings upon or after their sore travels It is used in bathings among other warme and comfortable hearbes for mens bodies or legges in the Summer time to comfort the joynts and sinews which our former age had in much more use than now-adayes The hearbe bruised and boyled in a little wine and oyle and laid warme on a Bile will ripen and breake it There is an ordinary Aqua-vita or strong water stilled and called Baulme water used generally in all the Land which because it hath nothing but the simple hearbe in it which is too simple I will commend a better receit unto you Take two pound of Baulme while it is young and tender of Mints and Sage of each one pound bruise them well in a stone-morter and put them into a pot or Limbeck and put thereto of Aniseeds foure ounces of Cloves of Nutmegs of Cinamon of Ginger of Cubebes and of Galanga of each one ounce being all a little bruised and put into two gallons of good Sacke if you will have it excellent good or else into foure gallons of Ale and so still it as Aqua-vitae is distilled and let it distill as long as you shall finde any strength in the water yet so that the latter water bee not so weake to make all the rest white whereunto put a pound of Sugar shaking it well before you set it away and after it hath rested so one moneth you may use of it as occasion shall require for it is of especiall use in all passions of the heart swounings and faintings of the spirits and for many other purposes whereunto the hearbe is here declared to be availeable The hearbe is often put into oyles or salves to heale greene wounds and it is very probable the name of Baulme was given to this hearbe from the knowledge of the healing properties of the true and naturall Baulme It is also an hearbe wherein Bees doe much delight both to have their Hives rubbed therewith to keepe them together and draw others and for them to suck and feed upon and is a remedy against the stinging of them The Turkey Baulme is of as good
Ilva in the Levant Seas as Camerarius saith but it hath beene found wild in our owne Country as it hath beene affirmed unto mee as well as the other naked kinde The fift groweth in Egypt as Prosper Alpinus saith and is onely naturall to that Country The sixth was found in Spaine by Myconus a learned Physitian of Barcinona and sent to Molinaus who composed the great Herball called Lugdunensis The seventh Clusius found upon the Mountaines of Stiria which are part of the Alpes The last Pena saith grew plentifully neare the Fishermens Cottages at the foote of Mons Caetius in Narbone in France The Time They all flower in Iune and Iuly but the Sea plant is the latest The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parthenium quasi virginalis quia mulierum morbis uterinis medetur inde vulgo Matricaria It is called also febrifuga from whence I thinke our English name Featherfew or Feaverfew is derived it being good to expell feavers or agues It is held by most of the later Writers to be the true Parthenium of Dioscorides yet Lobel and Pena even as Brasavolus and Fuchsius before them whom Matthiolus doth confute by many reasons alleadged doe shew that both the face or forme of the leaves compared by Dioscorides to Coriander but lesser as also the properties given to Parthenium can by no meanes be found in this Matricaria but may all most truely and plainely be found in Cotulafaetida or stinking Mayweed the discourse is too long here to recite I therefore referre you to the place where you may read it at large in the description of Parthenium in their Adversaria as also in Lugdunensis in the Chapter of Matricaria Parthenium as Galen saith was called in his time Anthemis Helxine Linozostis and Amaracus and Pliny affirmeth that Helxine was called Perdicium and Parthenium and in another place he saith that it was called Leucanthemum and Tamnacum and that Celsus called it Perdicium and Muralium so that hereby it may be seene that Parthenium was a word applyed to many hearbes Fuchsius would make Matricaria to be the second kinde of Dioscorides his Arthemisia called Leptophyllos that is tennifolia and Parthenium to be Cotuba faetida which as I said before Matthiolus disproveth the second is so called by divers Authors as it is in the title and by Tabermontanus Arthemisia tenuifolia flore pleno the third is a species not spoken of by any Author before as I take it The fourth sort Camerarius calleth Matricaria altera ex Ilva of Tabermontanus Arthemisia tenuifolia odorata and Bauhinus Matricaria odorata and we Matricaria grati odoris because it is of so good a scent The fifth Prosper Alpinus saith is called in Egypt Achaovan and he thereupon called it Parthenium inodorum in English Vnsavory Featherfew The sixth was judged by Myconus that sent it out of Spaine as is before said to be another Parthenium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and it may be that of Hippocrates which many judge to bee Cetula faetida Bauhinu calleth it Matricaria folijs Abrotani The seventh Clusius calleth Parthenium Alpinum Camerarius Matricaria sive Parthenium Alpinum and Bauhinus Matricaria Alpina Chamaemeli folijs The last Lobel and Pena call Cotula sive Parthenium marinum minimum and Lugdunensis Parthenium maritimum minimum and is likewise the Chamaemelum maritimum of Dalechampius set out in the same place of Lugdunensis for they are both one as may be gathered both by the figure and description although the flowers in Lobels figure be more obscured in English small Sea Featherfew The Italians call it Maetricaria and Amarella the French Espargoutte the Germanes Mutterkraut and Meltram the Dutch Modecruit and we in English as I said before Featherfew or rather Feaverfew The Vertues It is chiefly used for the diseases of the mother whether it be the strangling or rising of the mother or the hardnesse or inflammations of the same applyed outwardly thereunto or a decoction of the flowers in wine with a little Nutmegge or Mace put therein and drunke often in a day is an approved remedy to bring downe womens courses speedily and to warme those parts oppressed by obstructions or cold as also helpeth to expell the dead birth and the afterbirth For a woman to sit over the hot fumes of the decoction of the hearbe made in water or wine is effectuall also for the same purposes and in some cases to apply the boyled hearb warme to the privie parts The decoction thereof made with some Sugar or honey put thereto is used by many with good successe as well to helpe the cough and stuffing of the chest by cold as also to cleanse the reines and bladder and helpe to expell the stone in them The powder of the hearbe as Dioscorides saith taken in wine with some Oxymel purgeth like to Epithymum both choler and flegme and is availeable for those that are short winded and are troubled with melancholy and heavinesse or sadnesse of the spirits It is very effectuall for all paines in the head comming of a cold cause as Camerarius saith the hearbe being bruised and applied to the crowne of the head It is also profitable for those that have the Vertigo that is a turning and swimming in their head It is also drunke warme I meane the decoction before the accesse or comming of an ague as also the hearbe bruised with a few cornes of Bay-salt and some put beaten glasse thereto but I see no reason wherefore and applyed to the wrestes of the hand to take away the fits of agues Some doe use the distilled water of the hearbe and flowers to take away freckles and other spots and deformities in the face And some with good successe doe helpe the winde and collicke in the lower part of the belly and some say it is good also for the winde in the stomack by bruising the hearbe and heating it on a tyle with some wine to moisten it or fryed with a little wine and oyle in a Frying-panne and applyed warme outwardly to the places and renewed as there is need It is an especiall remedy against Opium that is taken too liberally It is an hearbe among others as Camerarius saith much used in Italy fryed with egges as wee doe Tansies and eaten with great delight the bitternesse which else would make it unpleasant being taken away by the manner of dressing CHAP. XXX Chamaemelum Camomill I Have divers sorts of Camomill to shew you in this Chapter some common and well knowne to most others more rare and heard of but by a few and unto them I thinke it not amisse to joyne the Mayweeds because they are as well the like stinking as lesse or not sweet 1. Chamaemelum vulgare Ordinary Camomill Our ordinary Camomill is well knowne to all to have many 1. Chamaemelum vulgare Ordinary Camomill flore pleno Double Camomill small trayling branches set with very fine leaves bushing and spreading thick over the ground taking
like the former the roote is long and blacke spreading in the ground 4. Artemisia Polyspermos Fruitfull Mugwort This kinde of Mugwort riseth up usuall but with one stalke dividing it selfe from the bottome thereof into many branches whereon are set somewhat sparsedly somewhat longer and larger leaves than the small Mugwort but more finely cut in on the edges unto the middle ribbe and ending in a longer point the toppes of the branches are more plentifully stored with flowers than the other sorts which turne into small seed bearing abundantly 5. Artemisia Virginiana Virginian Mugwort This Virginian being so lately come to our knowledge that we can scarce give a perfect description thereof unto you riseth up somewhat higher and larger spread with much divided leaves like the first but greater the flowers hath not beene yet thorowly observed The Place The first groweth plentifully in many places of this Land as well as in others by the way sides as also by small water courses and in divers other places The second likewise is found in some of those places but farre lesse frequent The other three are strangers and nursed up with us onely in gardens The Time They all flower and seed in the end of Summer The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Artemisia in Latine also and recorded by Pliny that it tooke the name of Artemisia from Artemisia the wise of Mausolus King of Caria when as formerly it was called Parthenis quasi Virginalis Maidenwort and as Apuleius saith was also called Parthenium but others thinke it tooke the name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who is called Diana because it is chiefly applyed to womens diseases The first is generally called of all Writers Artemisia vulgaris because it is the most common in all Countries Some call it also Mater herbarum 2. Artemisia minor Small Mugwort 3. Artemisia tenuifolia montana Fine Mountaine Mugwort 4. Artemisia Polystermos Fruitfull Mugwort 4. Artemisia Monoclonos Fruitfull Mugwort The second is called by Matthiolus and others Artemisia minor and so doe we The third is called by Lugdunensis Artemisia leptophyllos incana and in English Fine Mountaine Mugwort The last is called by Bauhinus Artemisia Polyspermos and the other by Lugdunensis Artemisia Monoclonos quorundam alijs Ambrosia in English Fruitfull Mugwort The Vertues Dioscorides saith it heateth and extenuateth It is with good successe put among other hearbes that are boyled for women to sit over the hot decoction to draw downe their courses to helpe the delivery of the birth and to expell the secondine or afterbirth as also for the obstructions and inflammations of the mother it breaketh the stone and causeth one to make water where it is stopped the juyce thereof made up with Myrrhe and put under as a pessary worketh the same effect and so doth the roote also being made up with Axungia into an oyntment it doth take away Wens and hard knots and kernels that grow about the necke and throat as also to ease the paines about the necke but especially and with more effect if some field Daisies be put with it The hearbe it selfe being fresh or the juyce thereof taken is a speciall remedy upon the overmuch taking of Opium three drammes of the powder of the dryed leaves taken in wine is a speedy and the best certaine helpe for the Sciatica A decoction thereof made with Camomill and Agrimony and the place bathed therewith while it is warme taketh away the paines of the sinewes and the crampe It is said of Pliny that if a Traveller binde some of the hearbe about him he shall feele no wearinesse at all in his journey as also that no evill medicine or evill beast shall hurt him that hath this hearbe about him Many such idle superstitious and irreligious relations are set downe both by the ancient and later Writers concerning this and other plants which to relate were both unseemely for me and unprofitable for you I will onely declare unto you the idle conceit of some of our later dayes concerning this plant and that is even of Bauhinus who glorieth to be an eye witnesse of this foppery that upon Saint Iohns eve there are coales to be found at mid-day under the rootes of Mugwort which after or before that time are very small or none at all and are used as an Amulet to hang about the necke of those that have the falling sicknesse to cure them thereof But Oh the weake and fraile nature of man which I cannot but lament that is more prone to beleeve and relye upon such impostures than upon the ordinances of God in his creatures and trust in his providence CHAP. XXXIIII Abrotanum Sothernwood OF Sothernwood which is the Abrotanum mas as the late and best experienced Authors doe hold the faemina to be the Lavender Cotton which shall be set downe in the next Chapter there are many sorts as they shall be declared in their order of which number I have taken some from those hearbes going before as also from Wormewood that shall follow because I suppose they rather belong to this Tribe than to any of the other from whence I have taken them 1. Abrotanum mas vulgare Common Sothernwood 1. Abrotanum mas vulgare Common Sothernwood Our ordinary Sothernwood which is the most common in gardens with us and generally called Sothernwood for the other sorts are called by other names for the most part and not acknowledge to be of this kinde riseth up with many weake and wooddy branches bending downewards if they be not held up specially while they are small for the elder stems are more strong and great rysing in time to bee higher than any man from which doe grow out many small and long branches whereon are set many small fine and short leaves as fine as Fennell but not so long of a grayish or russet greene colour somewhat strong but not unpleasant in smell and of a strong and somewhat bitter taste from the middle almost to the toppes of the upper sprigges stand smal round yellow flowers hanging like little buttons which never open much but passe away and after them come the seed which is smaller than that of Wormewood the root groweth not very deepe but is wooddy with divers strings annexed unto it this loseth all the leaves on the stalkes and branches every yeare and shoot forth anew in the Spring 3. Abrotanum majus Great Sothernwood This great Sothernwood is altogether like the former growing as high or rather higher and with leaves like thereunto but somewhat larger and greener of a strong resinous scent not so pleasant but drawing somewhat neare unto the smell of Câ—fire or â—umsence the flowers and seed differ not from the other nor the roote which is wooddy and runneth under ground in the same manner 3. Abrotanum arborescâ— Tree Sothernwood This rare kinde of Sothernwood groweth upright with one stem or stalke to the height of a man if the lower small sprigges bee 〈◊〉 from
it in the growing and shooteth forth many branches on all sides on which doe grow many leaves very much cut in and divided but are nothing so fine 3. Abrotanum arborescens Tree Sothernwood 4. Abrotanum inodorum Vnsavory Sothernwood and small as the former but yet a little quicker and nearer resembling Wormewood as it is also in the taste and more aromaticall than Sothernwood the flowers stand at the toppes of the branches being more plentifull and larger than the former but yellow like them after which come the seed which likewise is somewhat larger the roote is wooddy spreading many strings and fibres the plant is more tender than the others and will require some care to preserve it in the Winter more than they 4. Abrotanum inodorum Vnsavory Sothernwood Vnsavory Sothernwood springeth up with many slender but wooddy whitish stalkes for the most part leaning or lying upon the ground yet sometimes standing somewhat upright upon which at severall places come forth many small whitish leaves not so small or finely cut or divided as the common Sothernwood but greater of little or no smell at all but of a hot taste drawing rheume into the mouth to bee spit forth from among which spring forth small greenish purple branches set with the like leaves but smaller and many small pendulous greenish purple heads along the sprigges to the toppes which when they open shew out small pale purplish flowers the roote is somewhat wooddy and brancheth forth divers wayes with many small strings or fibres 5. Abrotanum humile odoratum Small sweet Sothernwood This small Sothernwood shooteth forth many small wooddy branches rising seldome above halfe a yard high but very thickly spreading into other smaller sprigs set full of small leaves somewhat longer greater and greener than the last the toppes of the stalkes are stored with many small round heads which shew forth small yellow greenish flowers the roote spreadeth like the other the whole plant as well leaves as flowers and the sprigges yeeld a very good scent and pleasant favour more than the other somewhat inclining to Wormewood 6. Abrotanum campestre Field Sothernwood The Field Sothernwood hath many small fine leaves rising from the roote very like unto the leaves of common Sothernwood but of a darke greene colour and likewise many wooddy stalkes about a foote high or more yet sometimes but one divided diversly having such like leaves growing thereon as are below the slender sprigges are stored with plenty of small round greene heads or buttons which containe small yellowish flowers like Sothernwood and plenty of small seed following them the roote is long thick blacke and wooddy with divers fibres annexed thereunto the smell hereof is more neare unto Mugwort than Sothernwood 7. Abrotanum campestre incanum Hoary Field Sothernwood This other Field Sothernwood is in all things like the last described wild Sothernwood but that the leaves are of a whitish or hoary colour and of a sweet aromaticall scent and taste and that the roote is of a darke reddish colour on the outside with divers small fibres growing from it The Place The first is usually found in gardens but his originall is not set downe The second groweth in Germany and brought into their gardens The third came out of the Levant into Italy from whence it hath beene sent to divers other places as well here as to Germany the Low-countries c. The fourth Clusius saith he found in Austria 5. Abrotanum humile odoratum Small sweet Sothernwood 6. Abrotanum campestre Field Sothernwood 7. Abrotanum campestre incanum Hoary field Sothernwood Hungaria and other parts thereabouts The fifth is onely found in the gardens of Herbarists that are curious The sixth groweth in Harcynia sylva Sazonothurungica as Iohannes Thalius setteth it downe And the last about Lintz in Austria from whence Bauhinus in his Prodromus saith it was brought to him The Time Most of them doe flower in Iuly and August yet some later so that we seldome see them beare seed especially the greatest The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hoc est quod conspectu tenerum melle delicatum appareat aut quod gravem acremve difficilem halitum spirat in Latine after the Greeke Abrotonum but more usually Abrotanum Pliny calleth this mas Campestre and the faemina montanum The first is called generally by all Authors Abrotanum mas and by Cordus nigrum except Dodonaeus in French and Anguillara who call it faemina in English common Sothernwood The second is called by Camerarius Ambrotanum magnum camphoratum quibusdam Jncensaria and by Bauhinus Abrotanum mas angustifolium maximum in English great Sothernwood The third is called by Anguillara Absinthium del Comasco and Absinthium arborescons of Lobel Lugdunensis Tabermontanus and Gerard but Dodonaeus calleth it Abrotanum faemina arborescens and Bauhinus in his Pinax Abrotanum latifolium arborescens in English Tree Sothernwood The fourth is called by Dodonaeus Absinthium inodorum inspidum by Lobel Lugdunensis and Gerard Abrotanum inodorum but Clusius calleth it his second Arthemisia tenuifolia all these Authors doe give one and the same figure for this plant Dodonaeus for Absinthium Lobel and others for Abrotanum and Clusius for Arthemisia Bauhinus calleth it Abrotanum latifolium inodorum in English Ynsavory Sothernwood for we have a Wormewood that is unsavory differing from this as shall be shewed you among the Wormewoods The fift is called by Dodonaeus and Lobel Abrotanum odoratum humile dense fruticosum by Tragus Abrotanum tertium and by Bauhinus Abrotanum mas angustifolium minus in English Small sweet Sothernwood The sixth is called by Matthiolus in his later Edition Ambrosia altera whom Lacuna Lonicerus Castor Durantes Lugdunensis and Camerarius doe follow and Lobel Ambrosia tenuifolia Gesner calleth it Ambrosia Leptophyllos and Clusius Arthemisia tertia tenuifolia it is Tragus his Abrotanum sylvestre quartum and Tabermontanus Gerard and Bauhinus Abrotanum campestre in English Field Sothernwood The last is called by Bauhinus Abrotanum campestre incanum Carlinae odore in English Hoary field Sothernwood The Arabians call it Cathsum Kesum or Gaissum the Italians and Spaniards Abrotano the French Auronne bois de S. Iean the Germanes Stabwurtz the Dutch Averonne and wee Sothernwood The Vertues Dioscorides saith that the seed bruised heated in warme water and drunke helpeth those that are bursten or are troubled with crampes or convulsions of sinewes with the Sciatica and with the difficulty in making water and to bring downe womens courses the same taken in wine is an antidote or counterpoison against all deadly poison and driveth away Serpents and other venemous creatures especially against Scorpions and poisonfull Spiders as also by the smell of the hearbe being burnt or laid in places where they come the oyle thereof being annoynted on places convenient especially the backe bone before the fits of agues taketh them away it is profitably laid to the eyes to
take away the inflammation of them if it be put with some part of a roasted Quince and boyled with a few crummes of bread boyled with barly meale it taketh away pimples pushes or wheales that rise in the face or other parts of the body The seed as well as the dryed hearbe is often given to kill the wormes in children the hearbe bruised and laid to helpeth to draw forth splinters and thornes out of the flesh The ashes thereof dryeth up and healeth old ulcers that are without inflammation although by the sharpnesse thereof it biteth sore and putteth them to some paines as also the sores that happen in the privie parts of men or women The ashes likewise mingled with old Sallet-oyle for we have neither the oyle of the seed of the Mastick tree which is much commended nor the oyle of Cherua or the great Spurge called Palma Christi nor some other that are used in other Countries helpeth those that have their haire fallen or their heads bald to cause the haires to grow againe either upon the head or beard Some say the juyce thereof with oyle doth the same Durantes saith that the oyle made of Sothernwood and put among other oyntments that are used against the French disease is very effectuall and likewise killeth vermine in the head The distilled water of the hearbe is said to helpe them much that are troubled with the stone as also for the diseases of the spleene and mother It is generally held by all both old and new Writers that it is more offensive to the stomacke than Wormewood because it hath not that astriction in it The Germanes commend it for a singular wound hearbe as their name of Stabwurt given unto it doth testifie CHAP. XXXV Abrotanum faemina Lavender Cotton THere are divers sorts of Lavender Cotton to be here remembred 1. Abrotanum faemina vulgare Ordinary Lavender Cotton The ordinary Lavender Cotton hath sundry wooddy brittle 1. Abrotanum faemina vulgare Ordinary Lavender Cotton hoary branches whereon are set many long foure-square hoary or whitish leaves dented about the edges at the tops of the branches stand naked stalkes bearing every one a large yellow head or flower like unto Tansie or Maudeline but greater of a gold yellow colour abiding so a long time upon the stalkes and being kept dry likewise after which commeth small darke coloured seed the roote is wooddy and spreadeth sundry hard fibres it is of a strong sweet scent but not unpleasant 2 Abrotanum faemina magnum Great Lavender Cotton This Lavender Cotton is very like the ordinary Garden kinde but not bushing so thicke with stalkes growing to have a great high and thicke stemme or stalke not set with so many branches thereon but somewhat bigger than the other whereon grow foure-square dented leaves like thereunto but somewhat larger thicker and greener the flowers stand in the same manner every one upon his long stalke being as yellow and large as they which give the like seed the roote spreadeth in the ground with hard wooddy branches like the other and endureth the extremities of Winter as well as the other the smell of the whole plant and every part thereof is strong but not so pleasant to a great many as the other this will be propagated by slipping as well as the other 3. Abrotanum faemina Narbonense magno flore French Lavender Cotton The French Lavender Cotton groweth not to bee so high as the ordinary garden kinde but hath many wooddy short little branches not above halfe a yard high diversly spread into many other small ones whereon are leaves like the other 3. Abrotanum faemina Narbonense magno flore French Lavender Cotton but somewhat smaller and more thinly or sparsedly set on the branches of a greenish white colour neither so green as the last nor fully so white as the ordinary of a strong scent somewhat like the ordinary kind the flowers stand upon the toppes of the smaller sprigges every one by it selfe upon a bare or naked stalke without leaves for a good space which are of a paler yellow colour than they and much larger which give seed somewhat of a darker colour than it the roote is as great and wooddy and spreadeth much in the ground 4. Abrotanum faemina Ericae folijs Fine Lavender Cotton This Lavender Cotton groweth not so great or high as the French kind but hath many short wooddy branches whereon doe sparsedly grow smaller shorter and finer whitish greene leaves very like to the leaves of common Heath the flowers are yellow standing in the like manner as the others doe this hath a fine small scent to commend it somewhat resinous not very faintish or weake 5. Abrotanum faemina folijs Rorismarini majus Rosmary leafed Lavender Cotton This kinde of Lavender cotton shooteth forth from his wooddy roote many slender hoary stalkes little above a foote long whereabout grow many very narrow small and flat leaves like unto the leaves of Rosmary which while they are young are more hoary white and have but a small shew of denting about the edges but when they are grown old they are more greene and the denting about the edges is more apparant of a sweet scent and bitter taste from these stalkes come forth divers short sprigges with very few leaves on them on the toppes whereof stand severall yellow flowers like unto Lavender cotton but much larger which die downe to the stalkes every yeare after it hath borne seed as the other kindes doe 6. Abrotanum faemina folijs Rorismarini minus Small Rosmary leafed Lavender cotton There is no difference betweene this and the last in the leaves and flowers but in the smalnesse thereof being more slender low and small in every part which is not by reason of the place as being more dry and barren where it groweth but growing in the same place with the former is smaller and the seed being sowne retaineth still the same forme it had in the naturall place 7. Abrotanum faemina viridis minor Small greene Lavender cotton This small kinde of Lavender cotton is very like unto the last small kinde but that it groweth somewhat greater and higher having greene and not hoary stalkes at all as the leaves also are and a little longer being as bitter in taste as it but not of so sweet a scent the flowers stand in the same manner upon slender stalkes and of the same fashion but of a paler yellow colour the roote is wooddy like it and full of small fibres 8. Abrotanum faemina repens Creeping Lavender cotton This creeping Lavender cotton also is a small low hearbe whose branches stand not upright but lie downe or as it were creepe upon the ground and are as white and hoary or rather more than the ordinary and so are the small dented leaves also but they are somewhat thicker and fuller the flowers likewise are yellow like thereunto but somewhat smaller and the smell is not much unlike unto it also 9. Abrotanum
our common Germander thereby transferring the Chamaedrys to be the taller shrub and Teucrium the lesser and lower yet as he saith seeing Dioscorides himselfe saith that in his time they were transferred for the likenesse of their leaves one unto another it is not absurd to call them as they are usually entituled but as I shall shew you in the next Chapter the Teucrium of Dioscorides is better to bee explaned than Dodonaeus doth It seemeth also that Dodonaeus having beene in an errour in his former workes concerning Hierabotane mas faemina giving the figures of the Chamaedrys sylvestris thereunto reclaimed himselfe in his later History or Pemptades and left them both out as not allowing of his former opinion The Arabians call it Damedrios Chamedrius and Kemadriut the Italians Chamedrio and Quercivola and some Calamandrina the Spaniards Chamedrios the French Germandree the Germanes Gamanderle and Bathengel the Dutch Gamandree and we in English Germander The Vertues Germander is hot and dry in the third degree and is more sharpe and bitter than Teucrium and as Dioscorides saith is a remedy for coughes taken with honey for those whose spleene is become hard for those that can hardly make their water and helpeth those that are falling into a dropsie in the beginning of the disease especially if a decoction be made thereof when it is greene and drunke It doth likewise bring downe the termes helpe to expell the dead child and taken with vineger doth waste or consume the spleene it is most effectuall against the poison of all Serpents both drunke in wine and laid to the place used with honey it cleanseth old and foule ulcers and taketh away the dimnesse and moistnes of the eyes being made into an oyle and annoynted It is likewise good for the paines in the sides and for crampes The decoction thereof taken for some dayes together driveth away and cureth both quartane and tertian agues The Tuscans as Matthiolus saith doe highly esteeme thereof and by their experience have found it as effectuall against the plague or pestilence as Scordium or water Germander It is also as he saith good against all the diseases of the braine as the continuall paines of the head the falling sicknesse melancholicke fullennesse the drowsie evill those that are sottish through the dulnesse of the spirits and for crampes convulsions and palsies a dramme of the seed taken in powder doth purge choller by urine and is thereby good for the yellow jaundise the juyce of the leaves dropped into the eares killeth the wormes in them It is also given to kill the wormes in the belly which a few toppes of them when they are in flower laid to steepe a day and a night in a draught of white wine and drunke in the morning will doe also Theophrastus in setting downe the properties of Germander saith that the one part of the roote purgeth upwards and the other part downewards whereof there is more wonder than for Thapsia and Ischias that is blistering Fennell and tuberous or knobbed Spurge to doe so Andreas Vesalius pag. 49. speaking of the China roote saith that if a decoction hereof bee made in wine and taken for 60. dayes continually foure houres before meate it is a certaine remedy for the gowt Durantes giveth the receipt of a Syrupe very effectuall for the spleene in this manner Take saith he Germander Chamaepitys or Ground Pine Ceterach or Milt waste and Madder of each one handfull the barke of the roote of Capers the rootes of Smallage Elecampane Orris or Flagge Flower-de-luce and Liquorice of each halfe an ounce Of the leaves and barke of Tamariske and of Cyperus of each three drammes of the seed of Anise Fennell and Smallage of each one dramme of Raisins stoned one ounce Let all these be boyled according to art in a sufficient quantity of Posset that is of vineger and water equall parts Vnto each pound of this decoction being strained put sixe ounces of Sugar and three ounces of Cinamon water which being made into a cleare Syrupe take foure ounces every morning fasting The decoction thereof is good to stay the whites in women if they sit therein while it is warme and likewise easeth the passions of the mother being boyled in vineger and applyed to the stomacke with a little leaven stayeth vomitings that rise not from chollericke or hot causes the leaves hereof and the seed of Nigella quilted in a Cap stayeth the catarrhe or distillation of raw cold and thinne rheumes being boyled in lye with some Lupines or flat beanes and the head washed therewith taketh away the dandraffe or scurfe thereof The mountaine Germander is used by those of the Alpes where it groweth to stay all manner or fluxes whether of the belly or of the blood the feminine courses and the bloody flixe as also to stay vomitings CHAP. XXXIX Teucrium Tree Germander IT remaineth that I shew you in this Chapter the rest of the Germanders called Teucria Tree Germanders to distinguish them from the former sorts whether they be true or false 1. Teucrium majus vulgare The more common Tree Germander Tree Germander groweth like a little shrubbe with hard 1. Teucrium majus vulgare The more common Tree Germander wooddy but brittle stalkes a foote or two and sometimes a yard high if it be well preserved and defended from the injuries of the Winters branching forth on all sides from the very bottome bearing alwayes leaves by couples smaller smoother and thicker that those of Germander of a darke shining greene colour on the upperside and grayish underneath and dented also about the edges like them the gaping flowers stand about the toppes of the branches spike fashion one above another of a pale whitish colour saith Clusius of a purplish saith Lobel of both which I have had plants somewhat larger than those of Germander and without any hood above having a few threads standing forth the seed is small blackish and round contained in small round but pointed huskes the roote is somewhat wooddy with many blackish fibres the whole plant is of a fine weake scent but somewhat stronger if it be a little bruised holding the stalkes and greene leaves continually if it be not exposed to the sharpnesse of the Winter season 2. Teucrium Creticum Tree Germander of Candy This shrubby Germander of Candy riseth up with such like wooddy brittle stalkes as the former but somewhat smaller and whiter whereon doe grow such like leaves and in the same manner but somewhat lesser lesse greene and shining above and more hoary underneath two alwayes set at a joynt but on the contrary side with the leaves towards the toppes come forth five or sixe flowers standing in a huske like unto the former but a little lesse and of a purple colour after which come small round seed like the other the whole plant is somewhat sweeter than the former 3. Teucrium Boeticum Tree Germander of Spaine This Spanish shrubby Germander groweth in some places of Spaine
Scordium majus Plinij by Gesner who calleth it also Salvia montania and Ambrosia quibusdam Tragni Lonicerus and Tabermontanus call it Salvia sylvestris and Salvia Bosci and Bosci Salvia and Lugdunensis Salvia agrestis as Dodonaeus also doth who taketh it likewise to bee Sphacelus Theophrasti as I have formerly shewed Cordus Thalius and Gerard call it Scordonia and Scorodonia although his figure thereunto is not right Caesalpinus calleth it Melinum alterum Aetius and Bauhinus Scordium alterum Salvia sylvestris The third is called Scordotis legitimum Plinij both of Bellus and Pona in his description of Mons Baldus and it is very probable that Camerarius doth meane this sort which he calleth Scordium Creticum lanuginosum for as I said before Bellus saith the people of Candy make no difference betweene them but in gathering put them together It is probable also that Anguillara called this Scordium alterum which hee saith was found about the banke of the River Piscara with leaves as large as Baulme and that such is found in Candy also in Greece and other places nothing differing either in scent or quality from the first The fourth is called by Pona in his Italian Baldus Scordotis secundum Plinij The last is called by most Authors Alliaria yet Gesner in hortis calleth it Alliastrum and Ericius Cordus Rima marina but Anguillara Rima maria Dalechampius upon Pliny taketh it to be his Alectorolophus and so doth Lobel also some also take it to be Thlaspidium Cratevae and Tragus calleth it Thlaspdium cornutum The last Columna calleth it Elephas Campoclarensium and Bauhinus Scordio affinis Elephas The Italians call Scordium Calamandrino palustre the Spaniards Camedreos de arroyes the French Scordion and Chamaraz the Germanes Wasser Rothengel and Lachen Knoblauch the Dutch Water Gamandree and we in English Water or Marsh Germander The Italians call Sawce alone or Iacke by the hedge Alliaria the French Alliaire and Herbeaux aubâ— the Germanes Knoblauchs kraut and Saltxkraut the Dutch Look sonder look The Vertues Dioscorides and Galen doe both agree that water Germander is of an heating and drying or binding quality bitter also and a little sowre and sharpe whereby it is effectuall to provoke urine and womens monethly courses the decoction thereof in wine being either greene or dry is good against the bytings of all venemous beasts or Serpents and all other deadly poisons and also against the gnawing paines of the Stomake and paines of the side that come either of cold or obstructions and for the bloody flixe also made into an Electuary with Cresses Rossin and Honey it is availeable against an old cough and to helpe to expectorate rotten flegme out of the chest and lungs as also to helpe those that are bursten and troubled with crampes Galen in lib. 1. Antidot which Matthiolus and others also set downe recordeth that it was found written by sundry faithfull and discreet men that in the warre of the bondmen where the bodies of the slaine had lien upon Scordium any long time before they were buried they were found to be lesse putrified than others that had not fallen thereupon especially those parts that were next the hearbe which observation bred a perswasion of the vertue thereof to bee effectuall as well against the poison of venemous creatures as the venome of poisonfull hearbes or medicines It is a speciall ingredient both in Mithridate and Treakle as a counterpoison against all poisons and infections either of the plague or pestilentiall or other Epidemicall diseases as the small pockes measels faint spots or purples and the Electuary made thereof named Diascordium is effectuall for all the said purposes and besides is often given and with good successe before the fits of agues to divert or hinder the accesse and thereby to drive them away It is often taken also as a Cordiall to comfort and strengthen the heart It is a most certaine and knowne common remedy to kill the wormes either in the stomacke or belly to take a little of the juyce thereof or the powder in drinke fasting The decoction of the dryed hearbe with two or three rootes of Tormentill sliced and given to those that are troubled with the bloody flixe is a safe and sure remedy for them The juyce of the hearbe alone taken or a Syrupe made thereof is profitable for many of the forenamed griefes The dryed hearbe being used with a little honey cleanseth foule ulcers and bringeth them to cicatrizing as also closeth fresh wounds the dryed hearbe made into a cerate or pultis and applyed to excrescences in the flesh as Wens and such like helpeth both to constraine the matter from further breeding of them as also to discusse and disperse them being growne It being used also with vineger or water and applyed to the gowt easeth the paines thereof The greene hearbe bruised and laid or bound to any wound healeth it be it never so great Wood Sage is hot and dry in the second degree the decoction thereof is good to bee given to those whose urine is stayed for it provoketh it and womens courses also It is thought to be good against the French poxe because the decoction thereof drunke doth provoke sweat digesteth humours and dissolveth swellings and nodes in the flesh the decoction of the hearbe rather greene than dry made with wine and taken is accounted a safe and sure remedy for those who by falls bruises or beatings doubt some veine to be inwardly broken to disperse and avoid the congealed blood and to consolidate the veine and is also good for such as are inwardly or outwardly bursten the drinke used inwardly and the hearbe applyed outwardly the same also and in the same manner used is found to be a sure remedy for the palsie the juyce of the hearbe or the powder thereof dryed is good for moist ulcers and sores in the legges or other parts to dry them and thereby to cause them to heale the more speedily it is no lesse effectuall also in greene wounds to be used upon any occasion Iacke of the hedge is eaten of many Country people as sawce to their salt fish and helpeth well to digest the crudities and other corrupt humours are engendred by the eating thereof it warmeth also the stomacke and causeth digestion the juyce thereof boyled with honey is held to be as good as Erysimum hedge Mustard for the cough to helpe to cut and expectorate the flegme that is tough and hard to rise the seed bruised and boyled in wine is a good remedy for the wind collicke or for the stone being drunke warme the same also given to women troubled with the mother both to drinke and the seed put into a cloth and applyed while it is warme is of singular good use the leaves also or seed boyled is good to be used in glisters to ease the paines of the stone the greene leaves are held to be good to heale the ulcers in the legges the roote tasteth sharpe somewhat like unto
Raddish and therefore may be used in the same manner and to the same purposes that it is CHAP. XLI Baccharis Bacchar ALthough sundry Writers have set forth divers hearbes for the true Baccharis of Dioscorides and other learned men have refused them yet these hearbes come nearest thereunto the one the learned of Mompelier account the truest and with them many others doe agree the other Rauwolfius setteth forth which are therefore here proposed unto you 1. Baccharis Monspeliensium French Bacchar 1. Baccharis Monspeliensium French Bacchar This hearbe hath divers somewhat long and large leaves lying upon the ground full of veines which make it seeme as if it were crumpled soft and gentle in handling and of an overworne greene colour seeming to be woolly from among which in the Summer time riseth up a strong stiffe stalke three or foure foote high set with divers such like leaves but smaller up to the toppe where it is divided into many branches at the ends whereof come forch divers flowers three or foure for the most part at the end of every severall branch and every one on a small foote-stalke which flowers consist wholly of small threads or thrums standing close and round and never laid open like other flowers that consist of leaves of a dead or purplish yellow colour out of greenish scaly heads which thrums turne into a whitish downe at the bottome whereof is the seed small and chaffy which together with the downe a carried away with the winde and riseth up in sundry places of a garden where it is once planted and beareth seed the roote consists of many strings and fibres bushing somewhat thick not running deepe into the ground but so taking hold of the upper face of the earth that it may easily be pulled up with ones hand the smell whereof is somewhat like unto Avens but lesse in gardens than growing wild even as Avens doth in gardens and divers other sweet hearbes that are of thin parts and subtile 2. Baccharis Dioscoridis Rauwolfio Syrian Bacchar The Syrian Bacchar brancheth forth from an hoary stalke about a foote high into many smaller sprigges bearing somewhat long and narrow leaves thereon as white hoary and woolly as Mullein leaves without any foot-stalke at the bottome but compassing the stalke about these being larger below yet lesse than Mullein and those above smaller and smaller to the tops whereon stand the flowers very thicke set together somewhat like unto golden Tufts or Mountaine Cotton weed called also Cats foote of a paâ—e purplish colour the roote was not fully observed but seemed by some parts thereof to be fibrous like blacke Hellebor and sweet also The Place The first groweth plentifully neare Mompelier and nany other places also The other in Syria The Time The first flowreth with us about the end of Iuly or beginning of August The other time is not expressed The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Baccharis or as some would 2. Baccharis Dioscoridis Rauwolsius Syrian Bacchar have it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Paccharis as though it should bee named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pancharis from the excellent smell it hath Pliny saith that some in his time called it Nardus rustica but saith hee they were in an errour that did so call it for Asarum is most truely and properly called of the Greekes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nardus rustica and therefore Gerard in following the old error reprehended so long agoe giveth it the English name of Plowmans Spikenard whereunto it hath no resemblance neither for forme nor vertues and his figure also is rather the figure of Matthiolus Baccharis then of this and although in former times divers did thinke that Asarum and Baccharis in Dioscorides were all one hearbe and thereupon came the name of Asarabaccara some taking Asarum to be Baccharis and so contrarily some taking Baccharis to be Asarum for Cratevas his Asarum is not Dioscorides his Asarum but his Baccharis as any may plainely see that shall read his description yet now time and diligence have expelled those errours The first of these is called Baccharis Monspeliensium whereunto it doth more fitly agree than any other hearbe that others have set forth as Pena and Lobel Clusius and others doe agree although Dodonaeus calleth it Conyza major altera and saith it hath little or no likenesse unto Dioscorides his Baccharis Matthiolus his Conyza major is said by the Author of Lugdunensis to be this Baccharis Monspeliensium and Lobel and Pena say that the plant which Matthiolus set forth for Baccharis cannot agree unto that of Dioscorides but is a kind of sweet Mullein or a kinde of Moth Mullein yet Bauhinus in his Pinax calling this Conyza major vulgaris shewing thereby that many did call it so referring it as well to Matthiolus his Conyza major as to his Baccharis which Lugdunensis saith are so contrary one unto the other as that they cannot be accounted both one plant as in the Chapter of Baccharis he sheweth They of Salmanca in Spaine as Clusius saith called it Helenium and divers both women and Monkes used both the roote and the hearbe for scabs and itches which is one of the properties whereunto the true Helenium serveth The other Rauwolfius onely finding in Syria seemeth to referre unto Dioscorides his Baccharis which Clusius thinketh rather to bee a kinde of that Mountaine Cotton weed which Fuchsius calleth Pilosella minor and therefore Bauhinus calleth it Gnaphalio montano affinis Aegyptiaca The Vertues Dioscorides saith that the rootes of Baccharis boyled in water and drunke helpeth those that are troubled with convulsions and crampes as also those that have ruptures and are bursten such as have bruses by falls or otherwise and those that can hardly draw their breath or are short-winded as also for old coughs and the difficulty in making water it also procureth the feminine courses and is very profitable against the bytings of venemous creatures being taken in wine the greene roote being bound or hanged to expelleth the birth and is good for women in travell to sit over the warme fumes of the decoction thereof For the sweet smell thereof it is put into Wardrobes to perfume and the smell thereof procureth sleepe But the greene leaves by reason of their astriction are good to ease the paines of the head the inflammations of the eyes and the watering of them in the beginning the hot swellings of womens breasts after childing and those hot inflammations called Saint Anthonies fire being applyed to the places affected Pliny saith further that it helpeth to breake the stone and to take away â—nes and prickings in the sides Paulus Aegineta saith moreover that the decoction of the roote openeth obstructions and that the leaves are helpefull by their astringent quality to stay fluxes Virgil in his seventh Eclogue saith that is was used in his time as a garland to secure one from witchery and charmes in these verses At si ultra placitum
in leatherne bagges which were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Niris as it is in Dioscorides copy but called Pyritis as it is in Galen because it was used as a perfume in their sacrifices Bauhinus Camerarius and others make two sorts thereof one that hath but one two or three round small rootes like unto Olives which thereupon he calleth Nardus montana radice olivari and the other hee calleth Nardus montana radice oblonga and Camerarius Nardus montana longius radicata when as it may be the place onely where they naturally grow that causeth the difference of forme in the rootes as it hapneth in Anthora Napellus and many other things too long here to recite for being transplanted and manured they grow much greater and somewhat alter that forme it formerly held in the naturall places yet I have given you the figures of both to see the difference The Vertues Dioscorides saith that the true Indian Spiknard is of an heating and drying faculty and that it provoketh urine It is profitable to stay the loosenesse of the belly and all fluxes both of men and women and thin watry humours being taken in drinke or applyed to the places affected being drunke with cold water it is profitable to those that have a loathing of their meate or having swellings or gnawings at their stomacks as also for them that are liver-growne that have the yellow jaundise or the stone in the reines or kidneys The decoction used as a bath for women to sit in or over it taketh away the inflammations of the mother It helpeth watering eyes by repressing and staying the humour and thickning it also Galen saith the same things and addeth withall that it dryeth up the fluxe of humours both in the head and breast It is an especiall ingredient into Antidotes against poison and venome as Mithridatum c. There had need be caution taken in the using of it for it often provoketh vomitings being either put with Rubarbe as sometimes it is appointed or in other cordiall medicines and therefore our London Physitians in their Pharmacopaea have appointed it to bee left out of many cordiall medicines It is also with great caution to be forbidden to women with child because it procureth them much disquiet and may force their courses beyond either their time or conveniency The oyle made thereof according to art doth both warme those places that are cold maketh the humours more subtill that were thicke or congealed before digesteth those that are crude and raw and also moderately dryeth and bindeth those that were too loose or fluxible and hereby worketh powerfully in all the cold griefes and windinesse of the head and braine of the stomacke liver spleene reynes and bladder and of the mother being snuffed up into the nostrils it purgeth the braines of much rheume gathered therein and causeth both a good colour and a good savour to the whole body Being steeped in wine for certaine dayes and after distilled in Balneo calido the water hereof is of singular effect for all cold indispositions of the members used either inwardly or outwardly for it comforteth the braine helpeth to stay thin distillations and the cold paines of the head as also all shaking and paralitick griefes it helpeth also in all sudden passions of the heart as faintings and swounings and for the collicke two or three spoonefuls thereof taken upon the occasion The first of these which is the bastard kinde being almost without smell or taste doth declare it to bee of small vertue and efficacy but the mountaine French Spiknard is reckoned to be effectuall for all the purposes that the true Spiknard serveth for but is weaker in operation and moreover by reason it is somewhat more heating and lesse drying than it it is more pleasing to the stomacke and provoketh urine more effectually the decoction thereof with Wormewood being drunke helpeth those that are troubled with the swellings and windinesse of the stomacke and being taken in wine is good for them that are stung or bitten by any venemous creature It helpeth also to dissolve all nodes and hard swellings and is profitable for the spleene reines and bladder It is also an ingredient of no small effect in Mithridatum and others and is used outwardly in oyles and oyntments to warme and comfort cold griefes wheresoever they be The Mountaine Spiknard is weaker than the Celticke or French Spiknard by the judgement of Dioscorides Galen and others CHAP. XLIII Valeriana Valerian THere are many sorts of Valerians to be remembred in this Chapter some naturall others strangers to our Country and yet have beene free denizons in our gardens along time others but of late 1. Phu majus sive Valeriana major The great Valerian The great Valerian hath a thicke short grayish roote lying for the most part above ground shooting forth on all sides other such like small peeces or rootes which have all of them many long and great strings or fibres under them in the ground whereby it draweth nourishment from the heads of these rootes spring up many greene leaves which at the first are somewhat broad and long without any division at all in them or denting on the edges but those that rise up after are more and more divided on each side some to the middle ribbe being winged as made of many leaves together on a stalke and those upon the stalke in like manner are more divided but smaller toward the toppe than below the stalke riseth to be a yard high or more sometimes branched at the toppe with many small whitish flowers sometimes dasht over at the edges with a pale purplish colour of a small scent which passing away there followeth small brownish white seed that is easily carried away with the winde the roote smelleth more strong than either leafe or flower and is likewise of more use in medicine There is a Mountaine kinde hereof as Camerarius saith found in Savoy which is more sweete than this Altera odoratior even of the smell of a Pomecitron but it is more soft or gentle than it 1. Phu majus sive Valeriana major The great Valerian 2. Valeriana Cretica tuberosa Knobbed Valerian of Candy 2. Valeriana Cretica tuberosa Knobbed Valerian of Candy This Valerian of Candy hath his first leaves that spring up and lie upon the ground round about the roote greene thick and round like unto the leaves of Asarabacca and sometimes greater the next that come after them are somewhat longer and somewhat divided or cut in on the edges and those that follow more and more divided so that those that grow upon the stalke are very like unto the divided leaves of the former Valerian the stalke is hollow and riseth to be two foote high at the least having here and there two smaller leaves set at a joynt at the toppe whereof which is divided into some smaller branches stand many white flowers in an umbell thick thruft somewhat larger than those of the former
is called Mithridates his counterpoison or Mithridate against the plague causeth all venemous things as well as of Serpents to become harmelesse being often taken either in meate or drinke it abateth venery and destroyeth the ability of getting children a decoction made thereof with some dryed Dill leaves and flowers easeth all paines and torments inwardly to be drunke and outwardly to bee applied warme to the place affected The same being drunke helpeth the paines both of the chest and sides as also coughes hardnesse or difficulty of breathing the inflammation of the lungs and the vexing or tormenting paines of the Sciatica and of the joynts being anoynted or laid to the places as also the shaking of agues to take a draught before the fit come being boyled or infused in oyle it is good to helpe the wind collick or the swelling hardnesse or windinesse of the mother and sâ—eeth women from the strangling and suffocation of the mother if the share and the parts thereabout bee anoynted therewith it killeth and driveth forth the wormes of the belly if it bee drunke after it is boyled in wine to the halfe with a little honey it helpeth the gowt or paines in the joynts of hands feete or knees applyed thereunto and the same with Figges helpeth the dropsie which is a running of sharpe water betweene the flesh and the skin being bathed therewith being bruised and put into the nostrils it stayeth the bleeding thereof It helpeth the swellings of the cods if it be boyled with Bay leaves and they bathed therewith It taketh away wheales and pimples if being bruised with a few Mirtle leaves it be made up with waxe and applyed thereon It cureth the Morphew and taketh away all sorts of warts on the hands face nose or any other parts if it be boyled in wine with some Pepper and Niter and the places rubbed therewith and with Allome and Hony helpeth the dry scab or any tetter or ringworme the juyce thereof warmed in a Pomgranat shell or rinde dropped into the eares that are full of paine helpeth them the juyce of it and fennell with a little honey and the gall of a Cocke put thereunto helpeth the dimnesse of the eye-sight an oyntment made of the juyce thereof with oyle of Roses Cerusse and a little vinegar and anoynted cureth Saint Antonies fire and all foule running sores in the head and those stinking ulcers of the nose and other parts The eating of the leaves of Rue taketh away the smell both of Garlike and Leekes The Antidote that Mithridates the King of Pontus used to take every morning fasting thereby to secure himselfe from any poyson or infection was this Take twenty leaves of Rue a little salt a couple of Walnuts and a couple of Figges beaten together into a Masse which is the quantity appointed for every day Another Electuary is to be made in this manner Take of Niter Pepper and Cominseed of each equall parts of the leaves of Rue cleane picked as much in weight as all the other three weighed beate them well together as is fitting and put thereto as much honey as will well make it up into an Electuary but you must first prepare your Cominseed laying it to steepe in vinegar for 24. houres and then dry it or rather toste it in an hot fire-shovell or as others would have it in an Oven is a remedy for the paines and griefes of the chest or stomacke of the spleene belly and sides by winde or stitches of the liver by obstructions hindering digestion of the meate of the reines and bladder by the stopping of the urine and helpeth also to extenuate fat or corpulent bodies The leaves of Rue first boyled and then laid in pickle are kept by many to eate as sawce to meate like as Sampire is for the dimnesse of sight and to warme a cold stomacke The distilled water thereof is effectuall for many purposes aforesaid Our garden kindes worke all these effects but the wild kindes are not used so often with us not onely because we have them not usually and that they will not abide our cold Country but their fiercenesse is scarce tolerable except for outward griefes and applications for the falling sicknesse palsies gowts joynt-aches and the like wherein they worke more forceably than the garden kindes for taken inwardly by women with child it destroyeth the birth and mightily expelleth the after-birth Antigonus in his Rhapsody or huddle of memorable things relateth a story of a Weasell that being to fight with a cruell Serpent eateth Rue and rubbeth her selfe therewith before hand to be the better defended from the poison whereby it was found to be powerfull against the sting or byting of venemous creatures The small Mountaine kind is so violent that it may soone kill one if it be not carefully looked untoo or to great a quantity given at a time CHAP. XLVII Caryophyllata Avens THere are divers sorts of Avens more than formerly hath beene knowne to bee set forth together in this Chapter 1. Caryophyllata vulgaris Ordinary Avens Our ordinary Avens hath many long rough darke greene winged leaves rising from the roote every one made of many leaves set on each side of the middle ribbe the largest three whereof grow at the ends and snipt or dented round about the edges the other being small pieces sometimes two and sometimes foure standing on each side of the middle ribbe underneath them from among which rise up divers rough or hairy stalkes about two foote high branching forth diversly with leaves at every joynt not so long as those below but almost as much cut in on the edges some of them into three parts and some of them into more on the toppes of the branches stand small pale yellow flowers consisting of five leaves very like unto the flowers of Cinque-foile but larger in the middle whereof standeth a small greene head which when the flower is fallen groweth to be rough and round being made of many long greenish purple seeds like graynes which will sticke to any bodies cloaths the roote is made of many brownish strings or fibres which smell somewhat like unto Cloves in many places especially in the higher hotter and dryer grounds and freer cleare ayre but nothing so much or not at all in many other places especially if they be moist and are of an harsh or drying taste Of this kind Camerarius saith there is another found in Mountaines that is larger than it not much differing else in any thing Major 2. Caryophyllata montana Mountaine Avens The Mountaine Avens from a long brownish round roote of the bignesse of ones finger creeping under the upper crust of the earth and not altogether so stringy as the former with some small fibres shooting downewards in severall places and smelling and tasting like the other sendeth forth divers winged leaves made of many small leaves towards the bottome standing on both sides of the ribbe the end leaves being largest and whole not divided 1.
or making water by drops as also for those that are bursten bellied it provoketh womens termes or courses other drunke or applyed to the place the sumes thereof taken thorow a Reed or Tobacco-pipe either by it selfe or with some dryed Turpentine cureth them that have a cough it is put into bathes for women to sit in as also into Glisters to ease paines It is used in mollifying oyles and plaisters that serve to ripen hard impostuâ—s as also for the sweet scent thereof Galen saith that because it is temperate betweene heate and cold somewhat astringent and having a very little acrimony it is profitably used among other things that helpe the liver and stomacke doth gently procure urine and is put with other things into â—omentations for the mother when it is troubled with inflammations and gently to procure the courses it is as he saith hot and dry in the second degree but is more drying than heating and hath therein a little tenuity of parts as is in all sweet smelling things The Acorus or sweet smelling Flagge as Dioscorides saith is good to provoke urine if the decoction thereof be drunke It helpeth to ease the paines of the sides liver and breast as also to ease the gâ—ping paines of the collâ—e and crumpe and good for those that are bursten It helpeth likewise to waste the spleene and to bring helpe to them that have the strangury and â—ceth those from danger that are bitten by any venemous Serpent It is very profitably used among other things in bathes for women to fit it as the Iris or Flower-deluce rootes are the juyce dropped into the eyes dryeth rheumes therein and cleereth the sight taking away all filmes or such like that may offend them The roote is of 〈◊〉 use in Antidotes against all venome or poison or infection thus saith Dioscorides furthermore it is a speciall remedy to helpe a stinking breath if the roote be taken fasting every morning for some time together The hot fumes of the decoction made in water and taken in at the mouth thorow a funnell are excellent good to helpe them that are troubled with the cough a dram of the powder of the rootes of Acorus with as much Cinamon taken in a draught of Wormewood wine is singular good to comfort and strengthen a cold weake stomacke The decoction thereof drunke is good against convulsions or crampes and for falls or inward bruises An oxymell or Syrupe made of Acorus in this manner is wonderfull effectuall for all cold spleenes and cold livers Take of the fresh rootes of Acorus one pound bruise them after they are cleane washed and pickt steepe them for three dayes in vinegar after which time let them be boyled together to the consumption of the one halfe of the vinegar which being strained forth set to the fire againe putting thereinto as much honey as is sufficient for the vinegar to bring it into a Syrupe an ounce of this Syrupe taken in the morning with a small draught of the decoction of the same rootes is sufficient for every dose The whole rootes preserved either in Sugar or Honey is effectuall also for the same purposes but the greene rootes preserved are more desired than the dryed rootes that are steeped and afterwards preserved The rootes bruised and boyled in wine and applyed warme to the testicles that are swollen dissolveth the tumour and easeth the paines it likewise mollifieth hard tumours in any other parts of the body It is verily beleeved of many that the leaves or rootes of Acorus tyed to a hive of Bees stayeth them from wandring or flying away and draweth a greater resort of others thereunto It is also affirmed that none shall be troubled with any fluxe of blood or paines of the crampe that weareth the hearbe and roote about them The rootes of Acorus or Calamus as it is usually called are used among other things to make sweet powders to lay among linnen and garments and to make sweet waters to wash hand gloves or other things to perfume them CHAP. XLIX Juncus odoratus sive Schaenanthos The sweet Rush or Camels Hay BEcause through all the sorts of Grasses and Rushes I finde none sweet fit for this Classis but this which I bring here to your consideration let me following the like method of Dioscorides insert this Rush and the other that shall follow in the next Chapter in the end of this part of sweet hearbes as a complement to the same Of this sort of sweet Rush I finde two sorts a finer and a courser or the true and a bastard kinde although the ancient Writers have made mention but of one sort which is the finest and truest 1. Juncus odoratus tenuior The finer sweet smelling Rush 1. Iuncus odoraâ—us tenuior The finer sweet smelling Rush This finer Rush hath many tufts or heads of long rushe-like leaves thick set together one compassing another at the bottome and shooting forth upwards the outermost whereof are bigger or grosser than those that grow within which are a foote long and better small round and stiffe or hard and much smaller from a little above the bottome of them than any Rush with us of a quicke and spicy taste somewhat pleasant and of a fine sweet gentle or soft scent thus it hath growne with us but bore neither flower nor shewed any appearance of stalke by reason the Winter deawes perished it quickly but in the naturall places it beareth divers strong round hard joynted stalkes having divers short brownish or purplish huskes on the toppes containing within them mossie whitish short threads or haires wherein lyeth a chaffie seed the roote is stringy or full of long fibres which are very hard as they are brought to us from their naturall habitations which have the smallest scent or taste of any other part thereof for so much as ever I could observe either by the greene or dryed leaves that have beene brought unto us yet Matthiolus saith he had some plants that rose with him of seed whose rootes were-sweet some losing their scent but the leaves and rushes of his were bigger than ours here described having as hee saith leaves like Sedge which is Carex or Sparganium or like Zea which is a large or great kinde of wheat whereby I guesse it was of the greater or grosser kinde next hereunto following 2. Iuncus odoratus crassior The grosser sweet smelling Rush This greater or grosser Rush groweth in the same manner that the former doth but is greater in every part thereof and lesse sweet also as well as lesse sharpe and hot in taste whereby it seemeth to be a kinde of it selfe that groweth so great in the naturally as well as forraigne parts or that it being the same kinde by growing in moister places acquireth thereby the larger habitude The Place They grow naturally in Arabia Syria Mesopotamia and all that Tract of the Easterne Countries as also in some places of Africa The Time As I declared in the description it commeth
being put into the nostrels with milke and mixed with honey and old oyle it cureth the Kings evill being annointed therewith It bringeth downe womens courses that are stayed and killeth the birth if it be applyed to the secret parts It purgeth clammie and watery humors from the joynts and that strongly the juyce of the roote doth the same likewise and therefore used in glisters or layd as a plaister or pultis upon the place payned with the Sciatica easeth the paines thereof the same juyce of the roote boyled with wormewood in water and oyle cureth an inveterate megrime if the temples be often bathed therewith and some of the leaves and rootes be beaten together and layd as a pultis thereunto afterwards the juyce of the roote with a little milke cast up into the nostrels doth the same for it wonderfully purgeth the braine from excrements and healeth the evill savour of the nostrills caused thereby It cureth also the old paines of the head and the Epilepsie and being mixed with Goates dung and layde as a plaister upon any great or hard swellings or kernells it resolveth them The juice of the roote as well as of the fruite and so doth the decoction of them also saith Mesues being drunke doth helpe the dropsie for they mightily draw forth watery humors and the yellow Iaundise and all obstructions both of the liver spleene Dioscorides also sheweth this medecine to cure the dropsie Take saith he halfe a pound of the rootes hereof and being bruised let it be put into three quarters of a pint of strong wine giving thereof three ounces for 3 or 4 dayes together untill the tumour be discerned to be aboundantly wasted and fallen which thing it worketh saith he without any troubling of the stomacke A few graines of Elaterium mixed with conserve of Roses and some thereof taken will doe the like and herewith Castor Durantes saith he cured many The powder of the roote mixed with honey and layd upon any fowle scarre in the skinne doth attenuate it and taketh away the markes or blew spots that come upon bruising or blowes the roote boyled or layde to steepe in strong Vinegar cureth the morphew and clenseth the skinne of all foule spots freckles and other discolorings thereof and the powder of the dryed roote saith Dioscorides clenseth the face and skinne from all scurfe and taketh away the blacke or ill colour from any scarre the juyce of the leaves dropped into the eares easeth them of the paines and noyse therein and helpeth the deafenesse the decoction of the roote gargled in the mouth taketh away the paines of the teeth the powder of the roote mixed with honey and put into old sores and ulcers clenseth them throughly and thereby furthereth their healing wonderfuly Our Apothecaries doe most usually take the roote of this wilde Cowcumber as a substitute for the roote of Coloquintida or the bitter Gourd that not being so frequent or easie to be had as this CHAP. V. Scammonia Scamonye HAving shewed you in the two last Chapters some purging plants that runne or spread upon the ground or clime up by those things that are set by them let me conjoyne some other the like part growing naturally in our owne and part in other Countries and first of Scamonye which is properly a Convolvulus or winding Bell flower which we call Bindeweede I will comprehend in this Chapter also those onely that in forme and force in working come neerest unto the true the rest that differ shall follow 1. Scammonia Syriaca legitima The true Scammonie 3. Convolvulus major albus The great white Binde weed 1. Scammonia Syriaca legitima The true Scammonye The true Scammony hath a long roote of a darke ash-colour on the outside and white within and of the bignesse of an arme for such hath beene brought us from Tripoli with a pith in the middle thereof and many fibres thereat which being dryed as Matthiolus saith the pith taken out seemed so like unto the rootes of Turbith which are brought us from the farre remote Easterne parts none knowing what plant it is nor whereunto it is like some thinking it to be the roote of Tripolium or Sea-Starre-worte which Matthiolus confuteth others a kind of Ferula or Ferulaceous plant altogether improbable but that they are not so tough but more brittle that otherwise it might be thought to be the right Turbith of the Apothecaryes shoppes from whence arise many long round greene branches winding themselves like a Bindeweede about stakes or trees or any other herbes or things that stand next unto it unto a good height without any clasping tendrells like the true or wilde Vine from the joynts of the branches come forth the leaves every one by it selfe yet I have seene dryed plants that have had two leaves one against another upon short foote stalkes somewhat broad at the bottome with two corners next thereunto and some also round that I have seene and then growing long and narrow to the end being smooth and of a faire greene colour somewhat shining towards the tops of the branches at the joynts with the leaves come forth large whitish Bell flowers with wide open brimes and narrow bottomes after which come round heads wherein are contained 3 or 4 cornered blacke seede for such I have had given me from whence hath sprung plants which perished quickely not abiding a winter with me if any part of this plant be broken it yeeldeth forth a milke not hot or burning nor bitter yet somewhat unpleasant provoking loathing and almost casting 2. Scammonia Macrorhyza Cretica Long rooted Scammonye of Candye Prosper Alpinus in lib. de exoticis saith that he in his former times received from Candie another sort of Scammonye differing nothing from the true Scammonye here before described but in the fashion of the roote which is long and slender of about a fingers thicknesse but purging as strongly as that of Syria and this in my judgement doth very neere resemble our common white greater Bindeweede that shall follow next the Countrey making the difference onely as I thinke 3. Convolvulus major albus The great white Bindeweede Our great Bindeweede commeth as I think so neere unto the former Scammonye that excepting the largenesse of the rootes and the greater force in purging which may both proceede from the climate you would say this were altera eadem whose many slender winding stalkes runne up and winde themselves upon hedges or whatsoever standeth neere unto it having diverse large leaves growing severally thereon somewhat long and pointed at the further end and parted into two points at the broad part next to the stalke making it seeme almost three square being smooth and of a pale greene colour yeelding a milke being broken but not so plentifully as the Scamonye at the joynts with the leaves towards the toppes of the branches come forth large white Bell flowers without any division in them after which rise round skinnie huskes or heads conteining within them diverse blackish
Alypum of Dioscorides or no for that some copies differ from others in the description of the forme of the plant some having the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is like fennell and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 somewhat red say others whereupon Lobel and Pena are bold to affirme in their Adversaria that our age knoweth no herb that may so wel or more truely both in the forme and purging vertues resemble Dioscorides his Alypum except the Ferulas then this herbe here set forth altering that word onely which as he saith may be a fault such as is common in many other places of his worke in the transcribers and hereupon as it is probable Mesues grounded his opinion that Turbith was the roote of a ferulous plant Clusius saith that diverse professors in the Vniversitie at Valentia did call an herbe which he therefound Hippoglossum supposing it to be the true Hippoglossum of Dioscorides whereunto it can as he saith be nothing like the properties being so differing except in a little appearance of likenesse in the leaves Clusius also doth not acknowledge it to be Alypum but misliketh of their judgement that doe referre it thereunto because the leaves are so dry that they seeme to be without any juyce in them whereupon the Spaniards call it siempre enxuta and from the round head of flowers which is paler in the middle than round about doe call it Coronilla de frayles Coronula fratrum the Friers Crowne and of some as he saith Segulhada but others of good judgement doe hold them to be both but one plant the diversity if any be to consist in the climate Dalechampius as Lugdunensis setteth it forth was of opinion that it might be Empetron of Dioscorides which others as he saith called Phacoides onely led thereunto by the purging quality and growing neere the Sea as Empetron doth and because that the Crithmum or Faeniculum marinum is disprooved by most not to be Empetron which many heretofore thought to be so and among the rest Pandulphus Collinutius in his defense of Plinye against Leonicerus for it is certainely seene that Plinye hath confounded that Empetrum which is a Saxifrage with the other which is a purger because it hath no purging quality in it at all but seeing we hold this Alypum to be the right or neerest it of Dioscorides I cannot see what reason can move any to thinke it to be Empetrum also seeing Dioscorides maketh them two distinct herbes in severall chapters and placed the one the very next unto the other some also as Lugdunensis saith take it for Ptarmica or for the third sort of Conyza Bauhinus in his Pinax calleth it Thymelaea foliis acutis capitulo Succisae sive Alypum Monspeliensium The other is called Tartou raire by Lugdunensis and Lobel and is so called as hee saith in the Isles of Corsica and Sardinia and all along the Sea coasts of Liguriae and Marseilles Dalechampius saith that many doe referre this to the Sesamoides magnum of Dioscorides which he hath mentioned in his fourth booke and 147 chapter with leaves of Groundsell or Rue and therefore Dalechampius in the description hereof saith the leaves are like Râ—e which in my judgement doth very hardly agree thereunto but much lesse unto Groundsell whereunto they are also compared Furthermore he saith also that peradventure this may be that Helleborus of Theophrastus whose seede is like Sesamum and wherewith in Anticyra as he saith they used to make purgations but the extreame purging quality herein shewing it as Pena saith to be a new plant of our ages finding and not well knowne to be mentioned by any of the ancient writers Greekes Arabians or Latines hath caused diverse to referre it as I say some to Sesamoides and others to Theophrastus his Helleborus with the fruite of Sesamum and yet whosoever will advisedly consider the seede of all the sorts of Hellebores both the white and the backe shall not finde them much unlike the seedes of Sesamum it selfe Alphonsus Pontius of Ferrara tooke it to be Cneorum of Theophrastus the roote hereof as Pena saith is like unto the Turbith of Alexandria and hath not so much heate or bitternesse therein nor other evill taste as others have Bauhinus calleth it Thymaelea foliis candicantibus sericiistar mollibus The Vertues The seede of Alypum saith Dioscorides or herbe terrible purgeth downeward blacke choller or melancholy if it be taken in the like quantity with Epithymum and a little salt and Vinegar put to it in the taking but he saith it doth a little exulcerate the bowells the common people in Narbone but especially the Quacksalvers and women leeches as Pena saith notwithstanding they find the effect to purge with such violence yet doe often gives making a decoction with the leaves flowers or seede or otherwise make them into powder and give it then with wine or broth the smallest quantity thereof to be taken in chicken broth saith Plinye is two drammes a meane quantitie is foure drammes and the greatest portion to be given at once is sixe drammes Clusius saith that the Landlopers in Spaine doe usually give the decoction hereof unto those that are troubled with the French disease and that with good successe as it is reported the other Gutworte or Trouble belly is as violent in working as the former or rather much more for the violence thereof is so unlimited that it oftentimes causeth immoderate fluxes even to blood and excoriations especially if the dryed leaves be given unadvisedly in powder and mixed with some potable liquor and driveth forth cholericke flegmaticke and watery humors in aboundance the roote likewise worketh powerfully for the same diseases which if it were Theophrastus his Helleborus or Dioscorides Sesamum were unprofitable or of no use the seede onely with them and not the roote having the propertie and power of purging Advice therefore before taken and preparation both of the physicke and body the quantity also the disease and strength of the patient considered it may be admitted to be given where better and safer things cannot on the suddaine be had CHAP. XXI Thymelaea Spurge Olive THere remaine yet some other violent workers which shall be declared in this and the next Chapters following and first of the Thymelaeas and then all the sorts of Chamaelaea and Sanamunda of Clusius because they are so like both in forme and nature and let me also adjoyne the small Sesamoides of Dalechampius for the neere affinitie with them 1. Thymelaea Spurge Olive This Spurge Olive hath diverse tough stalkes rising to the height of two or three foote sometimes in the naturall places and much lower in some other of the thicknesse also of ones thumbe covered with an ash coloured barke and spread into many branches whereon grow many small clammie flat pointed leaves somewhat like unto Mirtle leaves or rather unto the narrow leaves of the Olive tree for they are larger and broader than the leaves of Flaxe whereunto
bringeth downe womens courses the same juyce of the roote is a mighty purger of watery humours and held most effectuall for the dropsie of all others herbs whatsoever the dried berries or the seeds beaten to powder and taken in wine fasting worketh the like effect the powder of the seeds taken in the decoction of Chamaepitys or ground Pine and a little Cinamon to the quantitie of a dramme at a time is an approved remedy both for the gout joynt aches and sciatica as also for the French disease for it easeth the paines by withdrawing the humors from the places affected and by drawing forth those humors that are fluent peccant and offensive the pouder of the roote worketh in the like manner and to the same effect The roote hereof steeped in wine all night and a draught thereof given before the accesse and comming of the fit of an Ague prevaileth so effectually there against that it will either put off the fit or make it more easie and at the second taking seldome faileth to rid it quite away An ointment made of the greene leaves and May butter made in the moneth of May is accounted with many a soveraigne remedy for all outward paines aches and crampes in the jointes nerves or finewes for starcknesse and lamenesse by cold and other casualties and generally to warme comfort and strengthen all the outward parts ill affected as also to mollifie the hardnesse and to open the obstructions of the spleene the grieved parts anointed therewith The leaves laid to steepe in water and sprinkled in any chamber of the house as it is said killeth Fleas Waspes and Flies also if you will credit the report Tragus saith that the tender branches boyled in wine whereunto some honey is put and drunke for some dayes together is profitable for a cold and drie cough cureth the diseases of the breast by cutting and digesting the grosse and tough flegme therein Briefely whatsoever I have shewed you before in relating the properties of Elder doth Wallwort more strongly effect in opening and purging choller flegme and water in helping the gout the piles and womens diseases coloureth the haire blacke helpeth the inflammations of the eyes and paines in the eares the stinging and biting of Serpents or a mad Dogge the burnings or scaldings by fire and water the wind collicke the collicke and stone the difficultie of urine the cure of old sores and fistulous ulcers and other the griefes before specified which for brevitie I doe not set downe here avoiding tautologie as much as I can CHAP. XXV Helleborus niger Blacke Hellebor or Bearefoote OF the Hellebors there are two primary sorts white and blacke Of the white sort we will speake in the next Chapter and of the blacke in this whereof there are sundry sorts as you shall heare 1. Helleborus niger verus The true blacke Hellebor or Christmas flower The true blacke Hellebor or Bearefoote as some would call it but that name doth more fitly agree unto the other two bastard kinds hath sundry faire greene leaves rising from the roote each of them standing on a thicke round stiffe greene stalke about an handbreadth high from the ground divided into seven eight or nine parts or leaves and each of them nicked or dented from the middle of the leafe to the pointward on both 1. Helleborus niger verus Blacke Hellebor or Christmas flower 2. 3. Helleboraster minor trifoâ—iusspinosus Bastard blacke Hellebor or Beares foote and with trefoilae prickly leaves 3. Helleboraster maximus sive Consiligo The greatest bastard blacke Hellebor or Beares foote called Setterworte sides abiding greene all the Winter at which time the flowers rise on the like short stalkes as the leaves grow on without any leafe thereon for the most part yet sometimes having a small short pale greene leafe resembling rather a skin than a leafe a little under the flower and grow but little higher than the leaves each stalke also beareth usually but one flower yet sometimes two consisting of five large round white leaves a peece like unto a greate single white Rose changing sometimes to be either dasht with a purple about the edges or to be wholly purple without any white in them as the weather or time of continuance doth effect with many pale yellow thrums in the middle standing about a greene head which after groweth to be the seede vessell divided into severall cells or podes like unto a Colombine head or Aconitum hyemale but greater and thicker wherein is contained somewhat long and round blackish seede like the seedes of the bastard kindes the rootes are a number of brownish blacke strings which runne downe deepe into the ground and are fastened to a thicke head of the bignesse of ones finger Of this kinde there is an other whose flower is red from the first opening Florerubâ—o which Bellonius remembreth in his observations to have seene in the woods of Greece 2. Helleboraster minor flore viridante Bastard blacke Hellebor or Bearefoote The smaller bastard Hellebor or Bearefoote is in most things like unto the former true blacke Hellebor for it beareth also many leaves upon short stalkes divided into many parts but each of them are longer and narrower of a darker greene colour dented on both sides and feele somewhat hard perishing every yeare but rise againe the next Spring the flowers hereof stand on higher stalkes with some leaves on them also yet very few and are of a pale greene colour like the former but smaller by the halfe at least having likewise many greenish yellow threads or thrummes in the middle and such like heads or seede vessells and blackish seede in them the rootes are more stringie blacke and 5. Helleborus niger ferulaceus Fennell leafed bastard blacke Hellebor 6. Helleborus niger Saniculae folio major The greater purging Sanicle like Hellebor 8. Epipactis Matthioli Matthiolus his bastard blacke Hellebor hard than the former 3. Helleboraster alter trifolius spinosus Trefoile Prickly leafed Bearefoote This sort differeth little in the manner of growing from the last described having long stalkes with leaves thereon and flowers at the toppes of the same fashion and so is the seede also that followeth but the leaves are harder and only divided into three partes the dentes about the edges are hard sharpe and prickly the flowers being of a paler or whiter greene colour 4. Helleboraster maximus sive Consiligo The greatest bastard blacke Hellebor or Bearefoote called also Setterwort This great Bearefoote hath diverse sad greene leaves rising from the rootes each upon along stalke which are divided into 7 or 9 divisions or leaves each whereof is narrower than the lesser bastard blacke Hellebor or Bearefoote nicked or dented about the edges but not so deepely and abiding above ground greene all the winter whereas the other perisheth as I said every yeare and riseth againe in the spring this shooteth up a reasonable great and tall stalke higher by the halfe than the other with such
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is granum pedicularium in Latine Staphis agria in the Apothecaries shoppes beyond sea Staphusaria and Pedicularis and Peduncularis and Pituitaria sic dicta a viribus quas habet pediculos enecando fervore pituitam educendo and thereupon Cordus on Dioscorides calleth it Pthirococtonon Pliny seemeth to call it Vva Taminia in his 26. Booke and 13. Chapter but in his 23. Booke and first Chapter hee saith that Astaphis agria or Staphis is corruptedly called Vva Taminia The seede thereof is so called also being onely in use and to be had in shoppes The Arabians call it Alberas Habebras Muthuzagi Mibbezegi the Italians Staphusaria the Spaniards Fabaraz Paparraz yerva pionta is pioybeyra the French Estaphisagria Paenilleuse and herbe aux povileux or povileux the Germans Bissmints the Dutch Luyscruidt and we in English Stavesacre and Lousewort The Vertues Staphysagria Stavesacre or Lousewort A few of the seed bruised and strained into posset drinke and drunke worketh very strongly upon the stomacke bringing forth abundance of slimie grosse flegme but there had neede of great caution to be used of whosoever shall take it for in that it heateth extreamely and bringeth danger of strangling by the violence thereof it is not used but by ignorant or desperate Surgions or countrie leeches without such correction and things as may mittigate the force thereof that thereby it may do no harme which being so ordered it is then used to be given to those that are troubled with itch scabbes the leprie or foule scurfe as well inwardly as to wash the places outwardly with the docoction of the seede which helpeth much as also to kill lice and vermine growing in the heads or bodies of any or the seeds mixed with oyle and axungia and anointed on the places Some use to make an Electuary of them by boyling them in water with some few correctors unto which liquor being strained so much Sugar is put as may be sufficient to make it up with the powder of Aniseede and Cinamon into an Electuarie whereof a dragme is a sufficient proportion at a time and is profitable for the diseases aforesaid as also to procure womens monethly courses it is also good to wash foule ulcers in the mouth or throate but if the decoction be too strong you may alay it with some vinegar and a little honey mixed therewith and so use it the seeds bruised and boyled in vinegar is good to helpe the toothach if the teeth and gummes be washed therewith for it draweth downe abundance of rheume which peradventure was the cause thereof being bruised also with a little pelletory of Spaine or without it and put into a fine linnen cloth and chewed where the teeth paine you most doth the like and often easeth and sometimes taketh away the paine Some say that if the flowers be chewed in the mouth and some of them laid upon the hurt place of any stung or bitten by any serpent they will heale them the seede beaten and mingled with meale and of it selfe so laid or made up into a paste with some hony will kill Mise and Ratts and such like vermine that doe eate it CHAP. XXIX Euphorbium The burning thornie plant called Euforbium Anteuphorbium The remedy for the Euforbium or the burning thorny plant AS the most extreme of all violent purging plants I bring this to your consideration not having any to exceede it in the qualitie of heate or violence and thereunto as many other Authors before me have done I joyne that other cooling herbe which is accounted the onely helpe and remedy against the fierie heate thereof 1. Euphorbium The burning thornie plant called Euforbium This strange thornie plant from a leafe thrust into the ground will shoote forth rootes and grow to have divers thicke and long leaves round also and not flat halfe a yard in length set with divers great ribbes which are armed all the length of them with a double row of small sharpe thornes or prickes two for the most part set together like unto the middle bone of a fish c. what fruit or flower it beareth we have not learned of any that hath seene it growing in Barbery from whence it hath beene brought both into our countrie and into others the rootes are great thicke and long spreading very much but impatient to endure any cold as the leaves are also there issueth out of the leaves as some say or out of the rootes as others say a pale yellowish gumme in small droppes or peeces most violent fierce even to smell unto but being tasted doth burne the mouth and throate not to be endured the dust also and fuming vapours that arise from it when it is stirred but much more when it is beaten to powder doe so fiercely penetrate into the head and mouth but especially the nostrills that it procureth frequent and strong neesing often times even unto delacrymation and if any shall touch their face or any other part of the skinne that is tender with their hands after they have handled it it will burne and enflame it so terribly that oftentimes it will raise blisters and wheales the furie whereof will not be allaid scarse in halfe a day after although cold water or any other cold thing be applied to mitigate the strength thereof and therefore in the same naturall places groweth with it as the chiefe and onely remedy thereof the 2. Anteuphorbium The remedy for Euforbium The Anteuphorbium hath divers fat thicke greene stalkes with many thicke and long leaves thereon somewhat like unto the leaves of Purslane but much bigger both stalkes and leaves being full of a cold and slimie moisture most fit and apt to temper the heate of the former we have likewise no further understanding of either flower or seede that it beareth the rootes are great and thicke from whence shoote forth many long and great strings and small fibres but as quickly subject to the cold as the former and perisheth upon the first cold blast that commeth upon it 1. Euphorbium The burning thorny plant called Euphorbium Anteuphorbium The remedy for Euphorbium The Place Both these plants have beene brought out of Barbery as I said from many places there as also other Iles there abouts and here they have thrived well all the heate of the yeare but as I said will endure no manner of cold and therefore without extraordinary care and keeping not to be kept in our land The Time The time of the well thriving is formerly expressed for it never bore flower with us or with any that hath had it as farre as we can learne The Names The Greeke name is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines have no other name than Euphorbium for it although Pliny calleth the plant Euphorbia and the gumme Euphorbium Iuba that was father to Ptolomy and first ruled both the countries of Mauritania is said by Pliny to have first found this plant and gave it the name Euphorbium
ordinary small Centory 3. Centaurium minus spicatum album Small spiked Centory 4 Centaurium minus luteum vulgare Small yellow Centory 5.7 Centaurium minus luteum perfoliatum minimum luteâ— The small yellow thorough leafed and branched Centory and the least yellow greater the stalke sendeth forth sometimes diverse long branches from the joynts and sometimes but onely at the toppe at the joynts whereof stand two somewhat broad and long pointed leaves so compassing the stalke about the bottome and making it seeme as if it ranne thorough them that they will hold the dew or raine that falleth upon them the flowers that stand at the toppes of the small branches are somewhat larger than those of the ordinary sort composed of sixe or eight leaves of a fine pale yellow colour and sometimes deeper after which come bigger heads and somewhat greater seede than the other the roote is small and white like the former this is not so bitter as the former 6. Centaurium minus luteum non ramosum Small yellow unbranched Centory These is another of this kind of yellow Centory found that differeth not in leafe or flower from the former but the stalke bearing perfoliated leaves brancheth not forth but beareth onely one flower at the toppe which hath made it noted to be a different kinde from the other 7. Centaurium minimum luteum The least yellow Centory The least yellow Centory differeth not much from the last described saving that it is lesse in every part and beareth two or three or more small flowers at the toppe of each stalke The Place Most of those Centories are found in our owne country in many places the ordinary sort almost every where in fields pastures and woods yet that with the white flower more sparingly by much than the first the spiked kinde groweth about Mompelier and upon the Euganean hills neare Padoa The first yellow Centory groweth in many places of Kent as in a field next unto Sir Francis Carew his house at Bedington neare Croydon and in a field next beyond South-fleete Church towards Gravesend and in many other places where the other sorts are sometimes found The Time They doe all flower in July or there abouts and seede within a moneth after The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Centaurum parvum minus Pliny maketh three sorts his Centaureae Chironia is Dioscorides his Centaurium majus his Centaurium is this little Centory and his third he nameth Centauris triorchis mistaking Theophrastus his meaning lib. 9. cap. 9. where he speaketh of that kinde of Hawke called in Latine Buteo a Bussard and in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of whom they that did gather this Centory should take heed to be hurt Gesner and Dalechampius doe both note Pliny of this his errour herein of some Centaurea and for the excessive bitternesse fel terrae and for the qualitie febrifuga of some also Multi radix but for what cause I know not Dioscorides saith it was called Limnesion and Pliny Libadion because it loveth to grow in moist places It is thought to be that herbe that Theophrastus counted among the Panaces and called Leptophyllum Pliny saith it was called of the Gaules in his time Exacon because it did purge by the belly all other evill medicines out of the body It is called in Italian Biondella because women did with the lye thereof cleare and whiten their haire as Matthiolus saith but Lugdunensis saith it doth make the haire yellow Bauhinus calleth the third Centaurium minus spicatum album Lugdunensis calleth the sixt Centaurium luteum alterum and Fabius Columa the last Centaurium minus luteum non descriptum or Centaurium luteum novum The yellow Centory is called by Mesues Centaurium floribus luteis sive citreis pallidis and is thought by some to be the Achylleos vera that Pliny mentioneth in his 35. Booke and 5. Chapter and therefore Gesner in hortis calleth it Perfoliata Achyllea The Arabians call it Kantarion sages Canturion sege or Segir the Italians as is before said Biondella Cantaurea minore the Spaniards Cintoria felde tierra the French Petite Centoire the Germans Tausent guldenkrant and Fieberkraut the Dutch Kâ—in Santory unde Eerdegall and we in English small Centory The Vertues Dioscorides Pliny Galen Mesues and the other Arabian Physitions with diverse others doe all agree that the lesser Centory being boyled and drunke purgeth chollericke and grosse humors and helpeth the Sciatica and yet Dodonaeus seemeth to averre that it hath no purging qualitie in it that he could finde by much experience thereof which words and saying Gerard setteth downe as if himselfe had made the experience when as they are the very words of Dodonaeus it is much used with very good effect to be given in agues for it openeth the obstructions of the liver gall and spleene helping the jaundise and easing the paines in the sides and hardnesse of the spleene used also outwardly making thinne both the bloud and humors by the clensing and bitter qualities therein it helpeth also those that have the dropsie or the greene sicknesse as the Italians doe affirme who much use it for that purpose in pouder it is of much use to be boyled in water and drunke against agues as all know it killeth the wormes in the belly found true by daily experience it helpeth also to drie up rheumes as Galen saith being put with other things for that purpose the decoction thereof also the toppes of the stalkes with the leaves and flowers are most used is good against the chollicke and to brring downe womens courses helpeth to avoid the dead birth and easeth the paines of the mother and is very effectuall in all old paines of the joynts as the gout crampes or convulsions a dramme of the pouder thereof taken in wine is a wonderfull good helpe against the biting and poison of the Adder or Viper the juice of the herbe taken while it is greene as is used in other herbes and dried in the Sunne or by decoction and evaporation by the fire as was used in ancient times worketh the same effects but the distilled water of the herbe as it is more pleasant to be taken so it is lesse powerfull for any the purposes before spoken of because it wanteth that substance and bitternesse that is in the herbe the juice thereof with a little hony put to it is good to cleare the eyes from dimnesse mistes or cloudes that offend and hinder the sight it is singular good both for greene or fresh wounds and also for old ulcers and sores to close up the one and clense the other and perfectly to cure them both although they be hollow or fistulous the greene herbe especially being bruised or laid too the decoction thereof dropped into the eares clenseth them from wormes clenseth the foule ulcers and spreading scabbes of the head and taketh away all freckles spots and markes in the skinne being washed therewith The yellow
Iuly The Names French Mercurie is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Linosostis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mercurii herba 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parthenium in Latine Mercurialis because as Pliny saith it was found by Mercury Dogges Mercury is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cynea and Cynocrambe which is Canina Brassica but because it hath no agreement with any Cabbage unlesse you would say it were meate or a Cabbage for a dogge others have called it in Latine Mercurialis Canina propter ignobilitatem others Mercurialis sylvestris The childs or childing Mercury is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phyllum Elaeophyllum quasi Oleaefolium Theophrastus in his ninth booke and 19. chap. saith that they called one herbe Phyllum Arrhenogonon and another Thelygonon MariparuÌ„ Foeminiparum which diverse doe thinke is but the former French Mercury because he saith they have leaves like Bassill whereunto the French and not the Childs or childing Mercury is most like and the rather for that Dioscorides appropriateth to his Mercuries those effects of bearing male and female children that the Phyllum of Theophrastus and Dioscorides hath The French Mercury is generally of all writers almost called Mercurialis mas faemina Cordus upon Dioscorides thinketh them to be the Phyllum Arrhenogonon and Thelygonon of Theophrastus and Bauhinus calleth them Mercurialis testiculata spicata the Italians call it Mercorella the Spaniards Mercuriale the French Mercuriale Vignoble the Germanes Bengelkrant and the Dutch men Bingelcruyte Mercurial The second is called Mercurialis sylvestris by Tragus Lonicerus Cordus Thalius Cynocrambe by Matthiolus Fuchsius Dodonaeus Camerarius and Lobel who in one figure representeth both the male and female Columna calleth it Mercurialis Canina and Bauhinus Mercurialis montana testiculata spicata neither of them both thinking it worthy of the name of Cynocrambe for that they knew it was not answerable to Dioscorides his Cynocrambe who doth not make it a Mercury whereof there is male and female for if it had beene so hee would have remembred it but he putteth it indefinitely not naming either male or female The third is called by Bauhinus who first set forth the figure and description thereof in his Matthiolus Cyncrambe vera Dioscorides and Pona in his description of Mont Baldus Cynocrambe legitima Belli Caesalpinus tooke it to be an Alsine and Columna calleth it Alsines facie plantanova The fourth is generally taken of all to be the Phyllum of Dioscorides and Theophrastus Bauhinus calleth it Phyllum testiculatum and spicatum as he did the former Mercuries The last is called of Tragus Mercurialis sylvestris altera in his Chapter of Mercury but putteth the figure thereof in the chapter of Esula of Lonicerus Tithymalus sylvestris of Camerarius Tabermontanus Lobel and Gesner Noli me tangere who also calleth it Milium Caprearum It is also called Perficaria siliquosa of Camerarius Thalius Lugdunensis and Lobel of Dodonaeus Impatiens herba of Caesalpinus Catanance altera of Columna Balsamita altera and of Lugdunensis Chrysaea Bauhinus calleth it Balsamina lutea sive Noli me tangere I have called it Noli me tangere and placed it in the Chapter of Mercuries and given it an English name proper for it as I take it let others call it as they please The Vertues The decoction of the leaves of Mercurie or the juyce thereof taken in broth or drinke and with a little Segar put to it to make it the more pleasant purgeth chollericke and waterish humors Hippocrates commendeth it wonderfully for womens diseases which none of the Physitians of our dayes I thinke ever put in practise for he applyed it to the secret parts to ease the paines of the mother and used both the decoction of it to procure womens courses and to expell the after birth and the fomentation or bathing for the same causes he also gave the decoction thereof with Myrrhe or pepper or used to apply the leaves outwardly against the strangury and the diseases of the reines and bladder he used it also for sore and watering eyes and for the deafenesse and paines in the eares by dropping the juyce thereof into them and bathing them afterwards in white wine the decoction thereof made with water and a cocke chicken is a most safe medicine to be taken against the hot in of agues it also clenseth the breast and lungs of flegme troubling them but it doth a little offend the stomacke the juyce or distilled water thereof cast or snuffed up into the nostrils purgeth the head and eyes of catarrhes and rheumes that distill downe from the braines into the nose and eyes as also sometimes into the eares Some use to drinke two or three ounces of the distilled water with a little Sugar put to it in a morning fasting to open the body and to purge it of grosse viscous and melancholicke humours as also mixing it with May dew taken from Rose bushes and Manna dissolved therein for the same purpose which thereupon some call Rhâ—domanna which purgeth choller also It is wonderfull if it be not fabulous that the ancient writers Dioscorides Theophrastus and others doe relate that if women use these herbes either inwardly or outwardly for three dayes together after conception and that their courses be past they shall bring forth male or female children according to that kinde of herbe that they use Matthiolus saith that the seede of both the kindes of Mercury that is both male and female boyled with wormewood and drunke cureth the yellow Iaundise in a most speedie and merveilous manner the leaves themselves or the juyce of them rubbed upon wartes or bound unto them for a certaine time doth take them cleane away the juyce mingled with some Vinegar helpeth all running scabs tetters ringwormes and the itch Galen saith that who so will apply it outwardly in manner of a pultis to any swellings or inflammations shall finde it to have a digesting quality that is it will disgest and spend the humours that was the cause of the swelling and alay the inflammations proceeding thereupon it is frequently and to very good effect given in glisters to evacuate the belly from those humors that be offensive therein and worketh as well after that manner as if so much Sene had beene put into the decoction The common Dogges Mercury is seldome used but may serve in the same manner and to the same purpose that the other is put to for purging waterish and melancholicke humors The childe 's Mercury although no other hath written of any purging qualitie in it yet the forme thereof so like unto Mercury and the saltish acide taste should demonstrate in my opinion an irritating quality Theophrastus and Dioscorides have onely mentioned the childing quality for women to beare either males or females that use this herbe according as is before sayd of French Mercury The Noli me tangere or the Quicke in hand hath a
to be taken inwardly the juyce also clarified and mingled with a little vinegar is good to wash the mouth and throate that is inflamed but outwardly the juyce of the herbe or berries with oyle of Roses and a little vinegar and cerusse laboured together in a leaden Morter is very good to anoint all hot inflammations Saint Anthonies fire all other grieved places that are molested with heate as the head ache and frenzies anointing the temples and forehead therewith as also the heate and inflammation in the eyes it doth also much good for the shingles ringwormes and in all running fretting corroding ulcers and in weeping or moist Fistulaes if the juice be made up with some hens dung and applied thereunto a pessary dipped in the juyce and put up into the matrixe stayeth the immoderate fluxe of womens courses a cloth wet therein and applied to the testicles or cods upon any swelling therein giveth much ease as also to the goute that commeth of hot and sharpe humours the juyce dropped into the eares easeth those paines that arise of heat or inflammation Pliny saith moreover that it is good for hot swellings under the throate the sleepie Nightshade of both sorts are of one and the same qualitie being cold in the third degree and drie in the second comming neere unto the propertie of Opium to procure sleepe but somewhat weaker if a dramme of the barke of the roote be taken in wine but not to exceede that proportion for feare of danger the seede drunke doth powerfully expell urine and is also good for the dropsie but the often taking thereof in too great a quantite procureth frenzie the remedy whereof is to take good store of warme honied water the roote boyled in wine and a little thereof held in the mouth easeth the paines of the tooth ache Pliny saith it is good to fasten loose teeth the juyce of the roote mingled with hony is good for the eyes that are weake of sight It is more effectuall in all hot swellings and inflammations than the former in regard it is colder in qualitie the juyce of the herbe or rootes or the distilled water of the whole plant being applied the deadly Nightshade is held more dangerous than any of the other for it is thought to be cold in the fourth degree the juyce of the leaves and a little vinegar mixed together procureth rest and sleepe when upon great distemperature either in long sicknesse or in the tedious hot fits of agues rest and sleepe is much hindered if the temples and forehead be a little bathed therewith as also taketh away the violent paine of the head proceeding of a hot cause the leaves bruised or their juyce may be applied to such hot inflammations as Saint Anthonies fire the shingles and all other fiery or running cankers to coole and stay the spreading the danger is very great and more in the use of this inwardly than in any of the former and therefore there had neede of the more heed and care that children and others doe not eate of the berries hereof least you see the lamentable effects it worketh upon the takers thereof as it hath done both in our owne land upon sundry children killed by eating the broth wherein the leaves were boiled or the berries and beyond the sea in the same manner yet some doe hold that two ounces of the distilled water hereof is effectuall to be taken inwardly without any danger against the heart burning and other inflammations of the bowells and against all other hot inflammations of the skinne or eyes giving ease to the paines It hath beene often proved that one scruple of the dried roote hereof infused in a little wine sixe or seven hoares and then strained hard through a cloth that if this wine be put into a draught of other wine whosoever shall drinke that wine shall not be able to eate any meate for that meale nor untill they drinke some vinegar which will presently dispell that qualitie and cause them fall to their vlands with as good a stomacke as they had before this is a good jest for a bold unwelcome guest The Virginia Nightshade is a familiar purger with them in Virginia New England c. where they take a spoonefull or two of the juyce of the roote which worketh strongly but we having tried to give the dried roote in powder have not found that effect CHAP. VII 1. Solanum lignosum sive Dulcamara Wood Nightshade or Bitter sweete ALthough this plant hath no dangerous quality therein nor yet is properly any Nightshade more than the outward conformitie in some sort yet because many learned Authours have reckoned it as a sort thereof and called it by that name let me also place it with them and shew it you in this place thus it groweth up with many slender winding brittle wooddy stalkes five or sixe foote high without any claspers but foulding it selfe about hedges or any other thing that standeth next unto it covered with a whitish rough barke and having a pith in the middle shooting out many branches on all sides which are greene while they are young whereon grow many leaves without order somewhat like unto the leaves of Nightshade but that they are somewhat broad long and pointed at the ends with two small leaves or rather peeces of leaves at the bottome of most of them somewhat like the Sage with eares and many of them likewise but with one peece on the one side sometimes also those peeces are close unto the leaves making them seeme as it were jagged or cut in on the edges into so many parts and sometimes separate there from making the leaves seeme winged or made of many leaves and are of a pale greene colour at the toppes and sides of the branches come forth many flowers standing in fashion of along umbell upon short foote stalkes one above another which consist of five narrow and long violet purple coloured leaves not spread like a starre or very seldome but turning themselves backwards to the stalkes againe whereon they stand with a long gold yellow pointell in the middle sticking forth which afterwards turne into round and somewhat long berries greene at the first and very red soft and full of juyce when they are ripe of an unpleasant bitter taste although sweete at the first wherein are contained many flat white seedes the roote spreadeth it selfe into many strings under ground and not growing into any great body the barke also of the branches being chewed tasteth bitter at the first but sweeter afterwards 2. Dulcamara flore albo Wood Nightshade with white flowers Of this kinde there is another that differeth not from the former more than in the flowers whose outer leaves are white and the pointell yellow Dulcamara seâ— Solanum lignosum Wood Night shade The Place This groweth usually by ditches sides and hedges where they may climbe up upon them the first almost every where the second is very rare and seldome to be met
goe out of Dunstable way towards Gorkambury and not farre from the ruines of the old Cittie Verulam which is not farre from Saint Albones the fourth is not knowne from whence it came the fift upon divers of the Alpes and the last according to the title in Bavaria The Time These flower for the most part not untill August and that is later than the former and therefore deservedly have the name of Autumne Gentians The Names The first is set downe by Matthiolus Lobel Cordus Clusius and others some under the name of Gentiana minima as Matthiolus some Pneumonanthe as Cordus and Lobel some Calathiana viola as Gesner in hortis Germaniae some Campanula Autumnalis as Dodonaeus and of Lugdunensis Campanula pratensis the second Columnae onely mentioneth by the name of Gentianella caerulea fimbriata angustifolia autumnalis Bauhinus calleth it Gentianella caerulea oris pilosis the third is the tenth Gentian of Clusius and called by Eystotensis horti author Gentianella autumnalis folijs centaureae minoris flore caeruleo Lobel calleth it Gentiana minima Bauhinus Gentiana angustifolia autumnalis floribus ad latera pilosis the fourth is not mentioned by any before the fift is the eleventh small Gentian of Clusius the last is called by Camerarius Gentianella elegantissima Bavarica Bauhinus referreth it to the Gentiana verna Alpina I to the Calathiana verna Dalechampij of Lugdunensis but that Camerarius saith it flowreth in Autumne The Vertues The greater Gentians are more used in Physicke with us then the smaller although they be neare of one propertie and almost as effectuall both inwardly and outwardly and in the places where the smaller are in plentie to be had and the greater not so readily to be gotten they doe very well serve in their stead They are by their bitternesse so availeable against putrefaction venomne and poyson the plague also or pestilence being a most certaine and sure remedy that the Germans account it their Treakle holding nothing to be a more commodious counterpoison and for this purpose did formerly make a Treakle therewith and other things at Iena which was transported into our country and we thereupon called it Iene Treakle made of Gentian Aristolochia Bayberies and other things which were all good wholesome and effectuall for griefes and paines in the stomacke and an especiall medicine against the infection of the plague to expell the malignitie of that and all other infectious diseases and to preserve the heart to strengthen it also against faintings and swounings which Treakle was bitter and therefore the more likely to worke these and other good effects but that Ieane Treakle which hath since crept into the place of it among the vulgar because it is sweet and pleasant is for that cause greedily sought after and for the cheapenesse of most sorts of poore people desired but there is nothing in it that can doe them good nor hath beene found to helpe them of any disease being nothing but the drosse and worst part of Sugar taken from it in purifying the which they call refining and because the good is bitter therefore but few can away with it yet in London it hath beene upon occasion both censured and condemned by a Jury and many hundred weights thereof beene publikely burned in the open streetes before their doores that sold it as a just witnesse to all if they would understand their owne good and be perswaded by reason true judgement and experience that it is not a thing tollerable in a Common-wealth I have thus farre digressed from the matter in hand and yet I hope not without good and just cause to informe all of our countrie to submit their wills and affections unto those of learning and judgement in Phisicke and not be obstinate in their selfe willed opinions and ignorance for assuredly if that kind of Ieane Treakle were wholsome or effectuall to any good purpose it were as easie for the Phisitians to give way to the use thereof as for any other tollerated medicine but the saying is most true Nitimur invetitum semper cupimusque negatum the more a thing is forbidden the more it is desired for the wrong opinion of many is to thinke that it is for the private profit of some that the thing is forbidden and therefore stollen bread is sweetest But to the matter now in hand The powder of the dried rootes takes in wine either of themselves or with other things as Mirrhe Rue Pepper and the like is a certaine remedy against the stingins or bitings of Serpents Scorpions or any other venemous beasts and against the bitings of a madde dog being taken three or foure dayes together and care taken to keepe open the wound with Vinegar or salt water and to cleanse and dresse it in order as it should be the same rootes also taken in wine helpeth those that have obstructions in their livers or are liver growne as they call it or have paines in their stomackes those also that cannot keepe or rellish their meate or have dejected appetites to their meate for hereby they shall finde present ease and remedy being steeped in wine and drunke it refresheth those that are overwearied with travell and are by cold and ill lodging abroad growen starke or lame in their joynts these also that have any griping paines in their sides as prickings stitches or the like it helpeth those that are bruised by blowes or falls by dissolving the congealed bloud and easing the paines the same also is held very effectuall against all agues to take of the roote not in wine but some other drinke or the water distilled of the herbe the fresh roote or the dried made into a pessary and put into the matrice expelleth the dead child and the afterbirth for it throughly worketh upon those parts and therefore not to be given to women that are with child and being taken inwardly procureth their courses being stopped and the urine when it is staied the decoction of the roote it mervellous effectuall to helpe those that are pained with the stone the same also taken in wine doth mervellous much good to those that are troubled with crampes and convulsions in any parts it doth much good also to those that are bursten and have any ruptures Dioscorides saith that there is so great power and efficacie in the rootes hereof that it helpeth not men onely but beasts also that are troubled with coughes and the outgoings of their intrails and that it expelleth the wormes of the belly it breaketh much winde in the body and causeth it to avoid and generally it is availeable in all cold diseases either inward or outward and as Galen saith is most effectuall where there is any neede to extenuate or make thinne thicke flegme or grosse humors clensing of corrupt and filthy sores or ulcers purging of peccant and offensive humours and opening the obstructions of the liver and lungs gall and spleene and freeing the parts affected with any the diseases incident unto them
second and third which are both called minus yet the third is thought by Bauhinus in his Pinax both to be the Polygonum masculum fruticosum of Thalius in the description of Harcyniasylva which Camerarius hath set forth and joyned it to his Hortus Medicus and also the Sedum minimum arborescens vermiculatum of Lobel for he seemeth doubtfull unto which Thalius his Polygonum should be referred The fourth Bauhinus calleth Polygonum Saxatile and no other before him that I know hath made mention of it The fifth is called Polygonum marinum by Lobel in his Observations and Polygonum marinum maximum in his Adversaria and of Lugdunensis Polygonum marinum primum Dalechampij as he calleth the last Polygonum marinum alterum Dalechampij which Bauhinus calleth Polygonum maritimum angustifolium calling the former Latifolium The Vertues The common sorts of Knotgrasse are cooling drying and binding in so much that the juice of them is most effectuall to stay any bleeding at the mouth being drunke in steeled or red wine and the bleeding at the nose to be applyed to the forehead and temples or to be squirted up into the nostrils it is also no lesse effectuall to coole and temper the heat of blood or of the stomacke and to stay any flux of the blood or humours either of the belly as all laskes or bloody fluxes that come by chollericke and sharpe humours or the abundant flowing of womens courses or the running of the reines also the juice given before the fit of an ague be it tertian or quartane doth come is said to expell it and drive it away it is also singular good to provoke urine when it is stopped as also when it passeth away by droppes and with paine which is called the Strangury as also the heate and sharpnesse therein and to expell powerfully by the urine the gravell or the stone in the reines or bladder to take a dramme of the powder of the herbe in wine for many daies together which effects as Dioscorides doth affirme so Galen seemeth not to deny but onely saith that Dioscorides hath not sufficiently expressed himselfe in the manner of the disease and how it should be given being boyled in wine and drunke it is profitable to those that are stung or bitten by venemous creatures and the same is very effectuall to stay all defluxions of rheumaticke humours upon the stomacke and killeth likewise the wormes in the belly or stomacke and quieteth all the inward paines of the body either in the stomacke or belly or other parts that arise from the heate sharpenesse and corruption of bloud and choller the distilled water hereof taken by it selfe or with the powder of the herbe or seetle is very effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid the said water or the juyce of the herbe is accounted as one of the most soveraine remedies to coole all manner of inflammations even Saint Anthonies fire or any other breaking forth of beate all hot swellings and empostumations all gangrenous that is eating and fretting or burning sores and fistulous cancers or foule filthy ulcers being applied or put into them but especially for all sorts of ulcers and sores happening in the privy parts of men or women restraining the humours from falling to them and cooling and drying up the hot and moist inflammations that are apt to follow such sores in such places it no lesse helpeth all fresh and greene wounds by restraining the bloud and quickly consolidating the lippes of them the juyce dropped into the eares helpeth them wonderfully although they are foule and have running matter in them the sea kindes of Knotgrasse are not thought to be so cooling and operative for the griefes aforesaid in regard they have gotten more heate by their salt habitation yet effectuall in many of the other properties the salt qualitie causing somewhat the more penetration CHAP. XV. Polygona minora Divers sorts of small Knotgrasse OF these smaller kindes there are many more than of the former differing the one from the other as shall be declared hereafter and first I will shew you those that come nearest in outward face and forme unto the other next going before and the smallest afterward 1. Polygonum montanum niveum White Mountaine Knotgrasse This Mountaine Knotgrasse is so fine a white silverlike plant especially in the hotter countries and when it is growne old that it giveth much delight to the beholders of it for it spreadeth many weake trayling branches upon the ground in some places not past an hands breadth in others a footelong as full or fuller of joynts than any of the former and thicke set also with smaller branches whereon are placed very small long leaves lying almost like scales upon the whitish hard stalkes these leaves are greene at the first and tender but when they are growne old they will be of a shining silver colour and hard like skinnes or parchment the toppes of the stalkes and branches being thicke set with small white silver-like leaves and at the joints also come forth very small white flowers scarse to be discerned where also afterward there is the like seede but smaller the roote is small long and white not perishing neither 1. Polygonum montanum nivenm White Mountaine Knotgrasse the branches nor the leaves in the Winter in his naturall place but will not endure our cold blastes and nights and therefore perisheth unlesse it have more especiall care and provision to preserve it 2. Polygonum montanum Vermiculatae folijs Mountaine Knotgrasse with Stonecrop leaves This small herbe or Knotgrasse for unto this family Bauhinus doth referre it groweth not much more than an hand breadth high sending forth many slender whitish round stalkes full of joynts which doe a little bend themselves downe againe to the ground at the joynts are set small long round fat leaves like unto those of Stonecrop pointed but not pricking at the ends and with the leaves at the said joynts towards the toppes rise single flowers that is one at a joynt somewhat large that it doth seeme many of a greenish colour laid open like a Star with divers whitish small threds in the middle scarse to be discerned after which commeth a small round seed vessell and small seede therein the roote is small white and threddy this hath neither taste nor sent much to be perceived therein onely it is a little harsh and drying and somewhat bitter withall it seemeth to partake in face with the Stonecroppes and in taste with Knotgrasse and the title riseth from both 3. Polygonum Valentinum sive Anthyllis Valentina Clusij Spanish Knotgrasse This small plant which Clusius found in Spaine and thought might be referred to the Anthyllides is by divers the best Herbarists since accounted a kinde of Knotgrasse or more neerely resembling them for it shooteth forth many small weake reddish branches lying upon the ground and not able to stand upright about a foote long parted into many other smaller branches whereon grow at severall joynts
both the face and qualities of the one unto the other and Pliny also in his 25. Booke and 6. Chapter runneth into the same error with them who although be agreeth with Dioscorides in the description of it yet saith it hath a certaine bitternesse in it which is not found in this greater but the lesser kinde The second is called by Cornutus among his Canada plants Centauriâ— folijs Cynarae Pona saith in the description of the plants growing upon Mount Baldus that the third kind was called of divers there about Rheu Baldensis and Clusius saith the Portugals where he found it called it Rapontis Bauhinus saith that the last he received from out of the garden at Padoa by the name of Rhaponticum Lusitanicum The Vertues The roote of the great Centory saith Matthiolus being steeped in wine or the powder thereof given in wines is with great good successe and profit used for those that are fallen into a dropsie or have the jaundise or are troubled with the obstructions of the liver two drammes of the rootes beaten to powder and taken in wine or in water helpeth those that spit blood or that bleede much at the mouth if they have an ague to take it in water or else in wine it is likewise used for ruptures cramps and pleurisies and for those that have an old or long continued cough and for those that are short winded or can haâ—dly draw their breath it is good also to ease the griping paines in the belly and those of the mother being scraped and put up as a pâ—ssary into the mother it procureth womens courses and causeth the dead birth to be avoided the juice thereof used in the same manner worketh the same effect some copies of Dioscorides have this it is called Panacea because it helpeth all diseases and sores where there is inflammation or bruises causing it it helpeth the Strangury or pissing by droppes if it be injected as also the stone the decoction or juice of the roote or a dramme in powder thereof drunke and the wound washed therewith taketh away all the paine and danger of the bitings or stingings of venemous creatures it helpeth to sharpen the eyesight if it be steeped in water and dropped into them Galen in 7. simp sheweth that it hath contrary qualities in it and therefore worketh contrary effects the sharpe taste shewing an hot quality whereby it provoketh womens courses c. and the astringent a cold grosse earthly quality glueing or sodering the lippes of wounds and staying the spitting of blood and by all the qualities joyned together helpeth ruptures crampes and the diseases of the Lungs the sharpenesse procuring evacuation and the astriction the strengthning of the parts the whole plant as well herbe as roote is very availeable in all sorts of wounds or ulcers to dry soder clense and heale them and therefore is a principall ingredient or should be in all vulnerary drinkes and injections CHAP. II. Iacea Knapweede THere are a very great many of herbes that beare the name of Iacea which I must to avoide confusion distribute into severall orders that so the memory being not confounded with a promiscuous multitude each may be the better understood in their severall ranckes Iaceae non Laciniatae Knapweedes with whole leaves Ordo primus The first ranke or order 1. Iacea nigra vulgaris Our common Matfellon or Knapweede THe common Knapweede hath many long and somewhat broad darke greene leaves rising from the roote somewhat deepely dented about the edges and sometimes a little rent or torne on both sides in two or three places and somewhat hairy withall among which riseth up a strong round stalke foure or five foote high divided into many small branches at the toppes whereof stand great scaly greene heads and from the middle of them thrust forth a number of darke purplish red thrums or threds and sometimes white but very rarely which after they are withered and past there is found divers blacke seede lying in a great deale of downe somewhat like unto Thistle seed but smaller the roote is white hard and wooddy with divers fibres annexed thereunto which perisheth not but abideth with leaves thereon all the Winter and shooting out fresh every Spring 2. Iacea nigra angustifolia Narrow leafed Knapweede This Knapweede hath a round rough greene stalke about a foote and a halfe high whereon are set on each side narrow rough short and somewhat hoary greene leaves compassing it at the bottome and divided into some other branches above on each whereof standeth a scaly whitish greene head out of the middle whereof rise many small long threds like unto the former but smaller and of a pale reddish colour after which followeth small blacke seede like the other the roote is blackish and parted into many small fibres Of this sort also there is one whose stalke and leaves are longer smooth and all hoary soft and woolly 3. Iacea nigra humilis The smaller dwarfe Knapweede This low Knapweede hath small weake and round hoary stalkes about a foote high bending to the ground 1. Iacea nigra vulgaris The common wild Knapweede 6. Iacea Austriaca latifolia villoso capite The greater hairy headed Knapweede with leaves thereon of an inch in breadth and two in length not divided or dented about the edges at all but being a little rough and hoary as it were thereabouts compassing the stalkes at the bottome at the toppes whereof stand such like scaly heads as in the others with purplish threds or thrummes rising thereout as in the rest 4. Iacea montana Austriaca major The greater mountaine Hungarian Knapweede This greater mountaine Knapweede is very like unto the former common wilde kinde being somewhat broad and long dented about the edges and rough and hairy also and of a darke greene colour but those that grow upon the straked stalkes are still up higher smaller and more cut in on the edges the heads that stand at the toppes of the stalkes are not rough or hairy but smooth and scaly crackling if they be lightly touched brownish upward and whitish lower the flowers consist of many purple whitish leaves cut in the ends into five slits or divisions like as those of the Cyanus with many purplish long threds in the middle and a purple stile in the middle of them besprinkled at the head with a mealely whitenesse the seede that followeth is like unto the other but somewhat larger the roote also is blackish and stringy like the former and abideth as the rest doe 5. Iacea montana Austriaca minor The lesser mountaine Hungarian Knapweede The lesser Hungarian kinde is in most things like the last but that it groweth lower and the leaves and stalkes are nothing so hairy and rough but smooth and hoary the flowers also are of a paler purple colour and the seede is not blacke but of a whitish gray or ash colour 6 Iacea Austriaca latifolia villoso capite The greater hairy headed Knapweepe This greater hairy headed
other sorts of the Scabiouses are and that the greene leafe is not altogether of so darke a colour 3. Morsus Diaboli flore carneo Devils bit with blush coloured flowers This other sort likewise differeth neither in roote stalke or leafe from the former onely the flowers which are of an incarnate or blush colour maketh the difference from both the other 4. Morsus Diaboli alter flore caruleo Strange Devils bit This herbe which I place here for some likenesse hath divers leaves rising from the roote every one severally on a long footestalke somewhat like unto Betony or Sage dented about the edges the stalke riseth up amongst them a foote or more high bearing one large flower at the toppe hanging downe the head and made all of blewish threds The Place The first groweth as well in dry meddowes and fields as moist in many places of this land but the other two sorts are more rare and hard to meete with yet they are both found growing wild about Apple dore neere Rye in Kent The last groweth in the fields that are on the mountaines beyond the Seas The Time They flower somewhat later then the Scabiouses as not usually untill August 1. Morsus Diaboli vulgaris Common Devils bit Scabiosarubra Austriaca The red Hungarian Scabious The Names It is usually called Morsus Diaboli by most writers or Saccisa as Fuschius doth and others after him a prâ—morsa or succisa radice Some there have beene that have thought it to be the Geum of the ancients others take it to be Nigina of Pliny whereof he maketh mention in his 27. booke and 12. Chapter in these words The herbe that is called Nigina hath three long leaves like the Endives Fabius Columna referreth it to Picunocâ— of Dioscorides The Italians Spaniards and French and so likewise all other nations follow the Latine name each nation in their severall dialectâ— or else the Germanes first calling it Abbiss and Tewfells abbiss caused the Latine name and all other tongues following it to call it thereafter And we following the Germanes Devils bit The last is the second Aphyllantes of Dalechampius The Vertues The taste hereof being somewhat more bitter declareth it to be hot and dry in the second degree compleate and therefore is more powerfull and availeable for all the purposes whereunto Scabious is appropriate either inwardly or outwardly as they are declared before and especially against the plague and all pestilentiall diseases or feavers poisons also and the bitings of venemous beasts the herbe or roote being boyled in wine and drunke the same also helpeth those that are inwardly bruised by any fall or crushed by any casualty or bruises by outward beatings or otherwise dissolving the clotted or congealed blood and voyding it by exâ—cution or otherwise and the herbe or roote beaten and applyed outwardly taketh away the blacke and blew markes that remaine in the skinne after some accidents the decoction of the herbe wherein some Hony of Roses is put is very effectuall to helpe the inveterate tumours and swellings of the Almonds and throate which doe hardly come to ripenesse for it digesteth clenseth and consumeth the flegme sticking thereto and taketh away the tumours by often gargling the mouth therewith it helpeth also to procure womens courses and to ease all paines of the matrix or mother to breake and discusse windes therein and in the bowels the powder of the roote taken in drinke driveth forth the wormes in the body the juice or distilled water of the herbe is as effectuall for greene wounds or old sores as the Scabiouses be and clenseth the body inwardly and the head outwardly from scurffe and sores itches pimples freckles morphew or other deformities thereof but especially if a little Vitriol be dissolved therein CHAP. XI Plantago Plantaine VNder the name of Plantaine is not onely comprehended all the sorts of Plantaine properly so called whereof there are a great many sorts as I shall shew you in this Chapter but divers other sorts of herbes much differing from them which shall be set forth in the next Chapter following each kinde by it selfe as neare as I can and because the Plantaines are divided into greater and lesser or broader and narrower leafed ones I thinke it the best method to separate them and speake of each of them and their species apart and not confound them together to avoide mistaking One of these Plantaines are called Rose Plantaine which although I have set it forth in my former Booke yet I thinke it fit here to expresse it againe and the severall formes and varieties therein Plantagines latifoliae Broad leafed Plantaines 1. Plantago latifolia vulgaris Common Waybredde or Plantaine THis common Plantaine I here set in the front of all the rest because I would ranke it with the rest of the kinde which is well knowne to all to beare many faire broad almost round pointed leaves with seaven ribbes or veines in every of them for the most part running all the length of the leafe of a sad greene colour on the upper side and more yellowish greene underneath among which rise up divers small slender stemmes or stalkes a foote high more or lesse not easie to breake naked or bare of leaves unto the toppes where each stalke heareth a small long round blackish greene spike or scaly head whose bloomings or flowers are small whitish threds with aglets hanging at the ends of them almost like unto the blooming of Corne after which come browne small seede enclosed in the severall small scales or skins the roote is made of many white strings growing somewhat deepe and taking so fast hold in the ground that it is not easie to pull it up 2. Plantago latifolia maxima The greatest Plantane This great Plantane is in all things like the former but that it exceedeth it in greatnesse and height for the leaves that lie on the ground are sixe inches that is halfe a foote long many times and more and foure inches broad and the stalkes sustaining every leafe neare an handbreadth long the naked stalkes that beare spiked heads like the other are two cubits high and the head or spike a foote long the roote hereof is blackish and stringy Laciniata folijs Sometimes this kinde is found to have leaves a foote long and halfe a foote broad somewhat torne on the edges and having some leaves under the spiked heads 3. Plantago major incana Great hoary Plantaine The hoary Plantaine is likewise like the first but that the leaves are very hoary white especially in the hotter Countries of Spaine c. much more then in these colder climates and somewhat small it seldome beareth any spiked heads in Spaine as Clusius saith but when it doth they are smaller then the first Minoâ— and the rootes are blackish and stingy Iohannes Thalius in Harcynia sylva mentioneth a smaller kinde hereof both in leaves and flowers 4. Plantago exotica sinuosa The strange crumpled Plantaine This strange Plantaine upon
trinervia montana incana and Bauhinus Plantago trinervia montana the eight Bauhinus calleth Plantago trinervia folio angustissimo the last he also calleth Plantago angustifolia paniculis Lagopi The Vertues All these sorts of Plantane both the greater and the lesser both the broader and the narrower leafed are of one propertie that is cold and drie in the second degree I thought good to speake of their vertues in the end of all their descriptions to avoid prolixitie and tantologie in repeating the same properties divers times All the Plantanes but some hold the Ribbewort to be the stronger and more effectuall have these properties hereafter ensuing The juice of Plantane depurate or clarified and drunke for divers dayes together either of it selfe or in other drinke prevaileth wonderfully against all torments and excoriations in the guts or bowells helpeth the distillations of rheume from the head and stayeth all manner of fluxes in man or woman even the feminine courses also when they come downe too abundantly it is good to stay the spitting of bloud and all other bleedings at the mouth by having a veine broken in the stomacke and that maketh bloudy or foule water by any ulcer in the veines or bladder as also to stay the too free bleeding of wounds it is held also an especiall remedy for those that are troubled with the Ptisicke or Consumption of the lungs or have ulcers in their lungs or have coughs that come of heate the decoction or powder of the rootes or seede is much more binding for all the purposes aforesaid than the herbe is Dioscorides saith that if three rootes be boiled in wine and taken it helpeth the tertian ague and foure rootes the quartane but I hold the number to be fabulous yet the decoction of divers of them may be effectuall but Tragus holdeth that the distilled water thereof drunke before the fit is more proper the seede made into powder and mixed with the yolke of an egge and some wheate flower made into a cake and baked either in an oven or betweene a couple of tyles heated for the purpose this cake prepared every day fresh and eaten warme for some few dayes together doth mightily stay any fluxe of the stomacke when the meate passeth away indigested and stayeth likewise the vomitings of the stomacke the herbe but especially the seede which is of more subtile parts is likewise held to be profitable against the dropsie the falling sicknesse yellow jaundise and the oppilations or stoppings of the liver or reines the rootes of Plantane and Pellitory of Spaine beaten to powder and put into hollow teeth taketh away the paines in them the clarified juice or the distilled water but especially that of Ribbewort dropped into the eyes cooleth the inflammations in them and certainely cureth the pinne and webbe in the eye and dropped into the eares easeth the paines therein and helpeth and restoreth the hearing the same also is very profitably applied with juice of Housleeke against all inflammations and eruptions in the skinne and against burnings or scaldings by fire or water the juice or the decoction made either of it selfe or with other things conducing thereunto is a lotion of much use and good effect for old or hollow ulcers that are hard to be cured for cancres and sores in the mouth or privie parts of man or woman and helpeth also the paines of the hemorrhoides or piles and the fundament the juice mixed with oyle of Roses and the temples and forehead annointed herewith easeth the paines of the head proceeding from heate and helpeth franticke and lunaticke persons very much as also the bitings of Serpents or a madde Dogge the same also is profitably applied to all hot gouts in the feete or hands especially in the beginning to coole the heate and represse the humours it is also good to be applied where any bone is out of joint to hinder inflammations swellings and paines that presently rise thereupon the powder of the dried leaves taken in drinke killeth the wormes of the belly and the said dried leaves boiled in wine killeth the wormes that breede in old and foule ulcers One part of Plantane water and two parts of the brine of powdred beefe boyled together and clarified is a most sure remedy to heale all spreadnig scabbes and itch in the head or body all manner of tetters ringwormes the shingles and all other running and fretting sores Briefely all the Plantanes are singular good wound herbes to heale fresh or old wounds and sores either inward or outward Erasmus in his Colloquia reporteth a prettie story of the Toade who being stung or bitten by a Spider sought out Plantane and by the eating thereof was freed from that danger CHAP. XII Holosteum sive Plantago marina Sea Plantane THere remaine some other sorts of herbes referred to the Plantanes which shall follow in their order and first of those are called Holostea which for want of a fitter name we call Sea Plantane 1. Plantago marina vulgaris Ordinary Sea Plantane This sea Plantane hath many narrow long and thicke greene leaves having here and there a dent or two on the one edge pointed at the end among which rise up sundry bare stalkes with a small spilted head thereon smaller than Plantane else alike both in blooming and seede the roote is somewhat white thicke and long with long fibres thereat abiding many yeares 1. Plantago marina vulgaris Ordinary Sea Plantane 2. Holosteum Salmanticum Spanish Sea Plantane 3. Holosteum angustifolium majus sive Sâ—rpentaria major The greater Sea Plantane with grassie leaves 4. Holostaâ— angusâ—ifolium minus sive Serpentiâ—a minor The lesser Sea Plantane with grassie leaves 5. Holosteum creticum sive Leontopodium Creticum Candy Sea Plantane Leontopodium idem diverse expressum The same plant diversly expressed 2. Holosteum Salmanticum Spanish Sea Plantaine This Spanish Sea Plantaine also differeth not much from the former greater kinde having many narrow hoâ—y leaves lying on the ground but shorter and broader then they among which rise up divers naked short stalkes little more then an handbreadth high furnished from the middle almost to the toppes with many whitish greene flowers Aliâ—d minus standing more sparsedly in the spiked heads then the former which afterwards yeeld smal seeds in husks like unto Plantaine seede the roote is somewhat long and hard with divers fibres at it There is another sort hereof much lesser then the former the leaves greener and narrower and the heads 6. Myosuros Cauda Mâ—riâ— Mousetaile of flowers smaller 3. Holosteum angustifolium majus sive Serpentaria major The greater Sea Plantaine with grassie leaves This greater Sea Plantaine hath a number of small long leaves almost like grasse but that they are stiffe and hard sometime lying upon the ground and sometime from a stemme under them raised a little higher of a grayish or hoary green colour and having on some of them some small gashes on the edges among which rise up naked stalkes about
therefore call it the white rot of the colour of the herbe as they have another they call the red rot which is Pedicularis red Rattle The third is called Sanicula montana altera by Clusius and Alpina and guttata by Camerarius and others by Lobel Gariophyllata sive Geum Alpinum recentiorum folio hederaceo The fourth Matthiolus called Cortusa having received it from Cortusâ— and reckoneth it among the Avens and thereupon Lobel calleth it Caryophyllata Veronensium flore Saniculae ursâ— Clusius calleth it his first Sanicula montana and others Alpina The last for some resemblance was called Cortusa by the French and Americana added to distinguish it The Vertues Sanicle is bitter in taste and thereby is heating and drying in the second degree it is astringent also and therefore exceeding good to heale all greene wounds speedily or any ulcers impostumes or bleedings inwardly it doth wonderfully helpe those that have any tumour in their bodies in any part for it represseth the humours and dissipateth them if the decoction or juice thereof be taken or the powder in drinke and the juice used outwardly for there is not found any herbe that can give such present helpe either to man or beast when the disease falleth upon the lungs or throate and to heale up all the maligne putride or stinking ulcers of the mouth throat and privities by gargling or washing with the decoction of the leaves and roote made in water and a little hony put thereto it helpeth to stay womens courses and all other fluxes of blood either by the mouth urine or stoole and laskes of the belly the ulceration of the kidneyes also and the paines in the bowels and the gonorrhea or running of the reynes being boyled in wine or water and drunke the same also is no lesse powerfull to helpe any ruptures or burstings used both inwardly and outwardly and briefely it is as effectuall in binding restraining consolidating heating drying and healing as Comfrey Bugle or Selfeheale or any other of the Consounds or vulnerary herbes whatsoever Butterwort is as one writeth to me a vulnerary herbe of great esteeme with many as well for the rupture in Children as to heale greene wounds the Country people that live where it groweth doe use to annoint their hands when they are chapt by the winde or when their Kines Vdders are swollen by the biting of any virulent worme or otherwise hurt chapt or rift the poorer sort of people in Wales make a Syrupe thereof as is of Roses and therewith purge themselves and their children they put it likewise into their broths for the same purpose which purgeth flegme effectually they also with the herbe and butter make an ointment singular good against the obstructions of the liver experienced by some Physitions there of good account CHAP. XXIX Primula veris pratensis sylvestris Primroses and Cowslips THere is so great a variety in these sorts of plants Primroses and Cowslips whereunto for likenesse both in forme and quality is to be joyned the little army of Auricules Beares eares or French Cowslips as they are called especially in the various colours of their flowers that to describe them all againe would but too much augment this volume I will therfore here but give you some figures of those described fully in my former Booke and the relation of such others as have since the publishing thereof come to our knowledge 1. Primula veris Turcica Tradescanti flore purpureo Tradescants Turkie purple Primrose The leaves of this Primrose are so like unto other Primroses that they can very hardly be distinguished untill the flowers appeare but the chiefest difference in the leaves is that they are somewhat longer rounder pointed and a little reddish at the very bottome of the leaves the flowers are as large as any other Primrose or rather larger made of five leaves like unto them but of a delicate violet purple colour the bottome of them yellow Primula veris vulgaris The ordinary field Primrose Primula veris flore purpureo Turcâ— The Turkie purple Primrose Primula Hesketi versâ—pellis Heskets Cameleon Primrose Pâ—alysis flore pleno Double Paigles Paralytica Alpina major The greater Birdes eye Paralytica Alpina minor The lesser Birdes eye Aricula ursi lutea The yellow Beares eares Auriculâ—si miniâ—a alba Small white Beares eares circled as it were with a deepe Saffron like yellow which addeth a greater grace thereunto in other things it is like unto the ordinary Primroses Flore chermesino Of this kinde there is also another sort little differing from it in any thing save in the colour of the flower which in this is crimson as in the other purple 2. Paralysios varia species The divers sorts of Cowslips Of the various sorts of Cowslips I have given you all the store I know are extant and therefore will describe none of them here but referre you to my former Booke where you shall finde them duplici 1. Purpureo vario 2. Purpureo saturo flore majore 3. Purpureo saturo flore minore 4. Sanguineo 5. Coe estino 6. Coeruleo 7. 8. Flore caeruleo folio Boraginis 9. Purpure coeruleo incano folio Flore cramosino 10. Holosericeo 11. Purpureo Rubro vario 12. Carneo colore 13. Flore niveo 14. Flore aâ—bo 15. Flore albido vel pallido 16. 17. Flore luteo Magno 18 Limoniaco 19. Stramineo 20.21 Versicolore luteo 22. Canescentibus folijs Luteo susco 23. Crinis coloris 24. Lutea rubra 25. 3. Auriculae ursivarietates The varieties of Beares eares or French Cowslips I have there also divided the varieties of the Beares eares or French Cowslips into three colours that is purple or red white and yellow of the rest that I have not there spoken I will here make but briefe mention of the difference in leafe and flower onely without any larger description The bright crimson hath leaves of a middle size more greene then mealy and flowers of a bright crimson colour larger then the blood red The deepe crimson velvet colour The double purple hath the purple flower once more double then the single but is not constant The stript purple differs in leafe little or nothing from the ordinary purple nor yet in flower but onely that it is variously stript with a kinde of whitish blush colour some of these will change wholly into the one or the other colour as all or most of the severall sorts of other stript flowers whether Tulipas Gilloflowers c. are observed often to doe yet as in them so in these if they change into the deeper colour they seldome or never returne to be marked as they will if they change into the lighter The heavens blew hath the leafe broader and of a duskie yellowish greene colour the flowers being of a blewish colour tending to a purple The paler blew is somewhat like unto the last in the greene leafe the flower being of a paler blew Borage leafed blew Beares eares is sufficiently expressed in my
parts thereof as branches leaves and flowers the leaves also being more rough and hairy and the flowers of a deeper purple colour 4. Hedera terrestris saxatilis Lobelij Stone Alehoofe The Stone Alehoofe creepeth also and spreadeth with his slender weake branches all about upon the ground with such like round leaves set at the joynts by couples as in the former but larger and more unevenly dented or rather waved at the edges the flowers that stand at the joynts with the leaves are larger and longer and of a paler purplish colour then the former The Place The common kind is found under the hedges and sides of fields and ditches under house sides and in shadowed lanes and other â—ste grounds in every part of the Land almost the second is found at the feete of old trees in some countries of Germany the third is found to grow on hills and mountaines the last in Narbone and Province in France and in some places of Summersetshire as Lobel quoted it among his papers which came to my hands The Time They flower somewhat early and abide so a great while the leaves keeping their verdure unto the Winter and sometimes abiding if it be not too vehement and sharpe The Names It is thought to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chamaecissos of Dioscorides although there be some doubt in the Text by the transposition of a letter and the resemblance both which are easily reconciled and this plant by the opinion of the most judicious is accounted the true and right Chamaecissos of Dioscorides no other being found that can come so neare it in face and propertie besides the nearenesse of the name for the Latines Hedera humilis is the same with Chamaecissos and Hedera terrestris is not farre from it Some call it Corona terrae because it spreadeth and is like a Garland upon the ground All writers generally call it Hedera terrestris yet Cordus in his history of Plants calleth it Chamae clema and Brunfelsius mistaking it made it his fourth Elatine Lugdunensis out of the Geoponickes calleth it Malacocissos id est mollis hedera which most properly agreeth unto this and some also call it Hedera plumiatica but for what cause I know not Lobel calleth the last Asarina aut Hederula saxatilis and Asarina sterilis Savenae and Narbonensis agri The Arabian Serapio putteth it under Cussus the Ivie and calleth it Cacos The Italians Hedera terrestre the French Lierre terrestre the Germans Gundelreb or Grundereb that is humi repens the Dutch Onderhaue and wee in English according to the severall countries appellations Gill creepe by the ground Catsfoote Haymâ—ides and Alehoofe most generally or Tunnehoofe because the countrey people use it much in their Ale and ground Ivie as frequently although Lobel judgeth the Hedera helix 〈◊〉 barren Ivie more properly to deserve that name 〈◊〉 you shall heare by and by The Vertues Ground Ivie is quicke sharpe and bitter in taste and thereby is found to be hot and dry it openeth also clenseth and rarefieth It is a singular good wound herbe for all inward wounds as also for exulcerated Lungs or other parts either by it selfe or with other the like herbes boyled together and besides being drunke by them that have any griping paines of windie or chollericke humours in the stomacke spleene or belly doth ease them in a short space it likewise helpeth the yellow Iaundies by opening the obstruction of the Gall Liver and Spleene it expelleth venome or poison and the Plague also it provoketh Vrine and womens courses and stayeth them noâ— as some have thought but the decoction of the herbe in wine being drinke for some time together by them that have the Sciatica or Hippe Goute as also the Goute in the hands knees or foote helpeth to dissolve and disperse the peccant humours and to procure ease the same decoction is excellent good to gargle any sore throate or mouth putting thereto some Honey and a little burnt Allome as also to with the sores and Vlcers of the privy parts in man or woman it speedily healeth greene wounds being bound thereto and the juice boyled with a little honey and Vardigresse doth wonderfully clense fistulaes and hollow Vlcers and stayeth the malignitiâ— of spreading or eating Cancers and Vlcers it helpeth also the itch scabbes wheales and other eruptions or exâ—rations in the skinne in any part of the body the juice of Colandinâ— field Daisies and ground Ivie clarified and a little fine Sugar dissolved therein dropped into the eyes is a soveraigne remedy for all the paines rednesse and watering of the eyes the pinne and webbe skinnes or filmes growing over the sight or whatsoever might offend them the same helpeth beasts as well as men the juice dropped into the eares doth wonderfully helpe the noyse and singing of them and helpeth their hearing that is decayed The country people doe much use it and tunne it up with their drinke not onely for the especiall good vertues therein but for that it will helpe also to cleare their drinke and some doe affirme that an handfull put into drinke that is thicke will cleare it in a night yea in a few houres say they and make it more fit to be drunke CHAP. XCIIII Hedera Ivie THe Ancient Greeke and Latine writers of herbes as Dioscorides Theophrastus and Pliny have set downe many varieties of Ivie besides the Hedera spinosa which is Smilax aspera described before in this worke which were observed in their times partly in the leaves and flowers but chiefely in the berries yet make but three principall kinâ— alba nigra and helix and yet more exactly two sorts una quae in altum attollitur and alia quae humi repit which division as most proper they subdivided each of them againe into their species or sorts whereof we know but few for that onely which climeth upon trees walls c. and beareth black berries and the other barren kind that creepeth upon the ground yet with the clasping branches will take hold of whatsoever is next unto it are best knowne to us the others with white or yellow berries are seldome seene in these Christian parts yet I will shew you in this Chapter those diversities that Theophrastus speaketh of which they had in former times joyning thereto some later found out kinds 1. Hedera arborea sive scandens Corymbosa nigra The ordinary Climing Ivie The climing Ivie groweth up with a thicke wooddy trunke or body sometimes as bigge as ones arme shooting forth on all sides many wooddy branches and groweth sometimes alone by it selfe into a pretty bush or tree as Lobel saith he saw such in this countrey but usually climeth up by trees and as the branches rise sendeth forth divers small rootes into the body or branches of the tree whereby it climeth up or into the câ—kes or joynts of stone walls whereon it runneth so strongly fastning them therein that it draweth the nourishment out of the tree and
juice of the herbe is held as effectuall for all the purposes aforesaid as also to stay vomitings and taken with some Sugar or Hony helpeth an old and drie cough shortnesse of breath and the â—sicke and to stay an immoderate thirst taken upon extreame heate The distilled water of the herbe is used by many as the more pleasing to the palate taken with a little Suger and worketh to the same effect The juyce also is singular good in the inflammations and ulcers of the secret parts in man or woman as also of the bowells and hemorrhoides when there are ulcers or excorriations in them The herbe is sufficiently knowne to be used in sallets in the heate of the yeare to coole and temper the bloud and hot and fainting stomackes and is good for them to use that have the falling sicknesse the herbe bruised and applied to the forehead and temples allaieth excessive heate therein causing want of rest and sleepe and applied to the eyes taketh away the rednesse and inflammations in them and those other parts where pushes wheales pimples Saint Anthonies fire and the like breake forth especially if a little Vineger be put to it and being laid to the necke with as much of Galles Linseede together taketh away the paines therein and the cricke in the necke the juyce also is used with oyle of Roses for the said causes or for blastings by lightening or planets and for burnings by Gunpowder or other wise as also for womens sore breasts upon the like hot causes and to allay the heate in all other sores or hurts it is said also to stay the spreading of venemous serpents bitings and to draw forth the poyson applyed also to the Navell of children that sticke forth it helpeth them it is also good for sore mouthes and for sore gums when they are swollen to fasten loose teeth and to take away their paine when they are set on edge by eating sower things Camerarius saith that the distilled water used by some tooke away the paine of their teeth when all other remedies failed and that the thickened juice made in pilles with the powder of gum Tragacanth and Arabeck and taken prevailed much to helpe those that made a blooddy water applyed to the Goute it easeth the paines thereof and helpeth the hardnesse of 〈◊〉 if it bee not caused by the crampe or in a cold cause The wilde Purflane is used as familiarly in â—lleâ— and meates in many parts beyond the Seas where it groweth plentifully as the Garden kinde and the 〈◊〉 no lesse effectuall a remedy for most of the diseases aforesaid onely it cooleth not so strongly but is more â—â—â—gent and drying for fluxes and the like CHAP. II. Portulaca marina Sea Purslane THe Sea Purslane might be entreated of with the other Sea plants in the proper place but that I thinke it not meete to sever it from the other going before and hereunto for the neare likenesse and resemblance to joyne two other sorts of Halimus which may be called Sea Purslanes as well but growing in a hotter climate 1. Portulaca marina nostras Sea Purslane of our countrey The Sea Purslane hath divers hoary and grayish purple stalkes somewhat wooddy rising from the roote about a foote or more long lying for the most part upon the ground bearing thereon many small thicke for and long leaves of a whitish greene colour set without order at some joynts more and at some lesse branching forth here and there and bearing at the toppes many long sprigges or spiked stalkes set round about with greenish purple flowers which turne into whitish flat thinne seedes like unto those of the Sea Arrache the roote is somewhat wooddy with divers long strings joyned thereto and abideth with the leaves on the branches all the Winter 2. Halimus latifolius sive Portulaca marina incana major The greater outlandish or hoary Sea Puâ—e This hoary Sea Purslane sendeth forth divers thicke and wooddy hoary brittle stalke foure or five foot high whereon are set many thicke leaves without any order somewhat short broad so hoary white that they almost glister the flowers grow at the tops of the stalkes on divers long sprigges being mossie like the Olive blossome but of a purplish colour after which come broad and flat whitish seede like unto those of Arache the roote is long hard and wooddy enduring many yeares in the naturall places but must bee somewhat defended in the Portulaca marina Sea Purslaine 2 Halimus latifolius sive Portulaca marina incana major The greater outlandish or hoary sea Purflane Winter with us if you will have it preserved yet bringeth not forth the leaves so hoary white with us 3. Halimus tennifolius sive Portulaca marina incana minor The lesser outlandish or hoary Sea Purslane This other hoary Sea Purslane hath very slender weake and somewhat hoary stalkes about two foote long scarse able to stand upright but for the most part fall downe and lye upon the ground the leaves that grow on them being set in the same manner that is without order are narrower longer and not so hoary white the flowers are like the former but of a more greenish colour growing at the toppes of the stalkes and afterwards yeâ— such like seede as the former but somewhat lesse roote is wooddy and endureth like the other 4. Halimus minor Germanicus The lesser sea Purslane of Germany This hath a small hoary stalke an handfull high rising from a small threddy roote leaning divers wayes branching forth a little above the roote set with small and somewhat round leaves and those up higher with a gash on each side of an ash colour the flowers are small greenish and mossie yet yellow within set on long stalkes after which come square huskes with small gray seede like unto kidneys in them The Place The first groweth in the salt marshes of the Sea coasts of our owne land in Kent and many other places the second Clusius saith he found about Lishbone in Portingall and the third as well in the kingdome of Valentia in Spaine is not farre from Mompelier and Marselles in France and in the upland places about Tholouse as Lugdunensis saith if his Halimus be this as you shall heare by and by the last about Northusa in Germany The Time They flower in Iuly and their seede is ripe in August The Names Dioscorides Galen and Theophrastus call it in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Halimus with an aspiration because it is a sea plant and tasteth somewhat saltish whom Pliny followeth and yet saith a certaine herbe used to be eaten is so called also as though it were differing from Halimus which as Dioscorides and Galen say is used to bee eaten Solinus and others call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alimos without an aspiration and say the name was taken from the effect it worketh which is to expell hunger for saith Solinus the people in Candy say that that day they eate thereof they shall not be
rise divers small stalkes set with small leaves from the joynts whereof breake forth small branches bearing one flower a peece which is large double and yellow like unto the great Mouseare the roote is as big as ones little finger at the head and about a span long growing smaller downewards smooth and of a brownish yellow colour having a small round bulbe hanging at the end thereof of the bignesse of a Chesnut full of milke being never so little touched or broken 8. Chondrilla bulbosa Syriaca altera latiore folio Another Syrian bulbed Gum Succory This other Succory is both in roote and flower altogether like the last but differing onely in the leaves which are broader more hairy and of a grayer colour The Place The first Clusius saith he found in divers places of Spaine in wast places the second he saith he not onely found in the Corne fields about Salamanca in Spaine but in divers places of Germany and Hungarie the third is found by the way sides and about Mompelier in Mount Lupus the fourth about Bassile in Switzerland the fift upon the Rockes in the Kingdome of Naples the sixt not onely under the hedges about Naples and in the wayes from thence to Puteoli but towards the Sea side about the Fishermens cottages in Narbone and the low Marshes of Mons Caetus and thereabouts the two last Ranwolfius in his Peregrination found about Aleppo in Syria the one in the plowed fields and the other in stony places The Time All these sorts of Succory doe flower later then the rest many of them not untill August in their naturall places and are so tender that they quickly perish with the cold of these colder climates The Names Gum Succory is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chondrilla so called as it is thought from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth that drop or Gum-like Masticke that groweth upon the herbe and stalke hereof originally taken from the likenesse with that kind of graine prepared for pultage which was used in auncient times called Chondrus or Alica as I shall shew you more fully in the proper place when I come to speake of Cornes and the severall sorts of Pultage and Ptisanes the ancient times made of them some saith Dioscorides called it Cichorion and some Ieris and for that the leaves were like unto Succory they accounted it a kinde of wilde Succory The first is taken by Clusius and others since him for the true Chondrilla prima Dioscoridis and calleth it Chondrilla prior Dioscoridis legitima Bauhinus and divers others doe account Matthiolus his Chondrilla prior to bee but figmentum ex Cichorio but I verily beleeve that it is Cichoreum luteum for Matthiolus expresseth not the colour of the flower and I am sure the Figures are transposed or misset for the first Figure answereth the second description and the second Figure to the first description which Lacuna it seemeth well observed in making that his first which in Matthiolus is the second Lobel and Lugdunensis from him doe call it Chondrilla verrucuria but as I have shewed in the description of Cichorium verrucarium he mingled this and that together Tabermontanus calleth it Chondrilla Graeca and Bauhinus Chondrilla folijs Cichorei tomentosis the second Clusius calleth Chondrilla viminalibus virgis and Lobel Chondrilla viminea viscosa vinearum Cordus upon Dioscorides Chondrilla altera Dodonaeus Cichorium sylvestre luteum Caesalpinus Chondrillae species in collibus vicinis Tragus Cichorea procera vel quinta Columna taketh it to be Chondrilla prior Dioscoridis as Bauhinus doth also and withall thinketh it to be Aphaca of Theophrastus Tabermontanus and Gerard call it Chondrilla Iuncea the third is called by Bauhinus Chondrilla viminea viscosa Monspeliaca the fourth also from Bauhinus taketh the name of Chondrilla viscosa humilis the fift Columna so calleth as it is in the Title the sixt is called by Lobel Chondrilla pusilla marina lutea bulbosa and may be as he saith Perdion of Theophrastus but rather Perdiâ—on lib. 1. cap. 11. for Perdion is not read in him of Clusius Chondrilla altera Dioscoridis and so doth Columna by Caesalpinus Herba terrae crepolae similis by Castor Durantes Hemorrboidale Lugdunensis setteth it forth by the name of Cichorium bulbosum Dalechampij and of Cichorium strumosum Mycâ—i as Bauhinus thinketh but I rather take strumosum to be that sort of Chondrilla which Ranwolfius found in Syria with the larger leaves and is the last here expressed which Bauhinus calleth Chondrilla bulbosa Conysae facie and referreth the Conyza marina of Lugdunensis thereunto wherein he is much mistaken in my judgement for that Conyâ—a hath no such bulbous roote which causeth a great difference besides the difference in the heads of flowers Clusius from Imperatus of Naples saith that they about Naples call it Herba dilatte and account it to bee Scrophulana minor Pandectarius calleth it Stridula The Arabians call Chondrilla Candarel Cadaron and Amiron the Italians Condrilla and Terra crepola the Spaniards Leitâ—gas and Leichagas dentro los planos but Clusius saith they call it Teruâ— di S. Guiteria and that by the same name they call Phyllum and that they call the second Condrilla Iâ—alina and Ajunjera the French Leitteron the high and low Dutch Condrille and we in English Gum Succory because of the Gum is found upon it The Vertues Gum Succory is of the same propertie with wilde Succory but more bitter and more dry and is thereby the more effectuall in opening obstructions and by the drying qualitie stayeth the loosenesse of the belly if the juice of the roote be taken in wine the Gum used with Myrrhe in the forme of a pessarie draweth downe womens courses that are stayed the juice of the foote or the herbe and roote together made into powder and drunke in wine helpeth the biting of the Viper and all other venemous Serpents and destroyeth field mise also Pliny writeth that one Dorotheus in his verses sheweth that it is beneficiall to the stomacke and helpeth digestion and further saith that some did account it hurtfull to the eyes and to hinder generation both in men and women and yet be numbreth Chondrilla among other sallet herbes that were used to bee eaten the juice of the herbe but more effectually of the roote dropped from the point of a needle or other such small thing taketh away by the rootes the supâ—is haires of the eyebrowes the same also used with a little niter clenseth the skinne from all freeâ—es morphew spots or any discolouring thereof The bulbous Gum Succory is much commended against the swellings and kernells of the throat called the Kings Evill and so is the distilled water thereof the rootes preserved are found to be wonderfull effectuall if the use be continued for some time together CHAP. XXVIII Chondrilla purpurea Purple Gum Succory THere are other sorts of Gum Succory to be entreated of differing from the former in many notable parts as well as
seldome two yellow flowers at the top of a reasonable bignesse which passe away into downe c. The Place The first and second sometimes also grow in Gardens and manured grounds and sometimes by old walls the pathsides of fields highwayes but the third and the fourth in Germany the fift about Mompelier and Florence also where they eate it familiarly as the common the last is found in the Island of Lio in the Venetian teritory and by Mompelier also The Time They doe flower quickly after they are sprung for it is late before they rise out of the ground and abide untill August The Names It is called Sonchus laevis in Latine to distinguish the one from the other as is sayd before some call it Cicerbita as the Italians doe to this day Apuleius calleth it Lactuca leporina and the Germans thereafter Hasen Lattauwe some also Hasen Koll that is Brassica leporina it may well be accounted as a kind of wilde Lettice it is so like it others therefore call it Lactucella and Lacterones from the French Laicterons Tragus calleth the first Intybus sylvestris sive erratica tertia Lonicerus Endivia sylvestris Lugdunensis Andryala minor Dalechampij Cordus in historia Sonchus lenis seu laevis all other authors Sonchus laevis or non aspera or vulgaris or laciniatis folijs the second Matthiolus calleth Sonchus laevis alter and Lobel Sonchus alter profundis lacinijs sinnato hederaceâ— Clusius Sonchus laevis vulgaris secundus Tabermontanus Sonchus sylvaticus quartus Anguilara calleth it Scariola sylvestris Lactucae species Galeni Gesner in hortis Germaniae Lactuca sylvestris flore luteo which although it doth in the outward face resemble somewhat yet it is much more bitter and never eaten as the other sorts of sallet herbes and Caesalpinus Lactuca murorum Bauhinus calleth it Sonchus laevis laciniatus muralis parvis floribus the third Tabermontanus and Gerard have set forth by the same name is in the title and Bauhinus Sonchus laevis minor paucioribus lacinijs the fourth Lobel setteth forth in his Dutch Herball by the name of Sonchus laevis Matthioli Gesner in Hortis calleth it Sonchi genus terra crispa and Caesalpinus saith they call it Terra crepola in Fleotruria or Florence Lugdunensis setteth it forth for Crepis Dalechampij and Bauhinus calleth it Sonchus laevis angustifolius the fift and sixt are set forth onely by Bauhinus by the names of Sonchus laevis in plurimas tennissimas lacinia divisus and Sonchus angustifolius maritimus the Italians doe call it Soncho liscio and Cicerbita gentile the Spaniards Serraya and Sevalla the â—ch Lacterones and Palais au lieure from the Latine Palatium leporis and as some have it Leporum cubile the Germans Gens distell Sow-distal and Dudistell the Dutch Gansen disteb and Milkewoye and we in English generally Sow-thistle and of some Hares-lettice The Vertues These as well as the former Sow-thistles are cooling and somewhat binding and are very fit to coole an hot stomacke and to ease the gnawing paines thereof they are usually eaten as salet herbes in the Winter and Spring while they are young and tender by those beyond the seas familiarly but the rootes are much more esteemed by them being very tender and sweete the herbe boyled in wine is very helpefull to stay the dissolutions of the stomacke and the milke that is taken from the stalkes when they are broken given in drinke is beneficiall to those that are short winded and have a wheesing withall Erasistratus saith Pliny did therewith cause the gravell and stone to be voided by urine and saith that the eating thereof helpeth a stinking breath the juyce thereof to the quantitie of three spoonfulls taken in white wine warmed and some oyle put thereto causeth women in travell of child to have so easie and speedy delivery that they may be able to walke presently after the said juyce taken in warme drinke helpeth the strangurie or pissing by droppes and paines in making water the decoction of the leaves and stalkes given to Nourses cavseth abundance of milke and their children to be well coloured and is good for those whose milke doe curdle in their breasts the juyce boyled or throughly heated with a little oyle of bitter Almonds in the pill of a Pomegranate and dropped into the eares is a sure remedy for deafenesse and singings and all other diseases in the eares it is said that the herbe bruised and bound upon wartes will quickly take them away the herbe bruised or the juyce is profitably applied to all hot inflammations in the eyes or wheresoever else and for pustules wheales blisters or other the like eruptions of heate in the skinne as also for the heate and itchings of the hemorrhoides or piles and the heate and sharpenesse of humours hapning in the secret parts of man or woman the distilled water of the herbe is not onely effectuall for all the diseases aforesaid to be taken inwardly with a little Sugar which medicine the daintiest stomacke that is will not refuse it or outwardly by applying cloathes or spunges wetted therein but is wonderfully good for women to wash their faces to cleare the skinne and to give a lustre thereunto CHAP. XL. Sonchi Montani Mountaine Sow-thistles Tertius Ordo The third Ranke 1. Sonchus Alpinus caeruleus Blew flowred Mountaine Sow-thistle THis mountaine Sow-thistle hath divers 1. Sonchus Alpinus caetuleus Blew flowred Mountaine Sowt-histle broad and long leaves much cut in to the midle ribbe and dented also on the edges the end peeces being the broadest of a greene colour on the upper side and grayish underneath coÌ„passing the stalke at the bottome which is round rough and set with hard reddish haires about three foote high branched at the toppe with lesser and lesse divided leaves on them the flowers stand many together in small hairie greene tufts upon purplish hairie foote stalkes everie one consisting of twentie and more small narrow leaves broad at the ends and nicked in of a purplish blew colour like unto Succory which turne into downe as other sorts doe are blowne away the maine roote is great thicke white and hard very intricately foulded with long strings fastned strongly in the earth which perisheth not but abideth many yeares by the shew of the dry stalkes this giveth milke in as plentifull manner as the others doe and is very bitter Alter There is another of this sort whose leaves are more divided into smaller parts yet the end peece is longest like the other and so are the flowers but more sparsedly set at the toppes somewhat lesser also and of a fairer blew colour 2. Sonchus arborescous The greatest Sow-thistle This Sow-thistle groweth to the height of any man with a strong stalke of the bignesse of a mans thumme smooth straked and without any pricke whereabout are set many leaves parted into foure and sometimes into five divisions placed on each side one against another and compassing it about at the lower end where
longer than two houres and then to be washed with salt or sea water warmed it is used likewise being dissolved into an ointment with good effect to the sides or breast for the griefes therein or for the paines in the feete or joynts it serveth also to gather againe the prepâ—ce in whom it is naturall to want it by raysing a tumour and after mollified and supplied with flat things supplieth the part of a prepuce it serveth likewise to cause haire to grow apace where the places wanted it or were deprived thereof The rootes of the second and third but of the last especially in former times were gathered by impostors in Italy and Spaine and dressed like Turbith that is pared and pithed and so sold instead thereof untill diligence add experience to know the right and restise the false had prevented the future deceit and Matthiolus declaiming against Fuchsius who tooke these rootes to be the true Turbith sheweth it was so taken in Germany but I have shewed you before in the Chapters of Alipâ—â— the Tithmalls and Scamony the many errors that former times came into concerning the true Turbith the old women Leeches of Salamanca in Spaine saith Clusius use the rootes of the third or greatest Spanish kinde of Thapsia to procure womens courses and to purge the body which it doth with that violence both upward and downeward that they are 〈◊〉 brought into great danger that take it CHAP. III. Peucedanum Sow-Fennell WEe have three sorts of Sow-Fennell to offer to your consideration in this Chapter 1. Peucedanum majus Italicum Great Sow-Fennell of Italy The great Sow-Fennell hath divers long branched stalkes of thicke and somewhat long leaves three for the most part joyned together at a place among which riseth a crested straight stalke neare as bigge as Fennell with some joynts thereon and leaves growing thereat and towards the toppe some branches issuing from thence likewise on the toppes of the stalke and branches stand divers tufts of yellow flowers where after grow somewhat flat thinne and yellowish seede twise as bigge as Fennell seede the roote groweth great and deepe with many other parts and fibres about them of a strong sent like hot brimstone and yeelding forth a yellowish milke or clammy juyce almost like a Gum. 2. Peucedanum vulgare Common Sow-Fennell The common Sow-Fennell groweth in the same manner that the former and hath no other difference but that this is lower and smaller by a fourth part and the smell thereof as strong as the former 3. Peucedanum minus Small Sow-Fennell As the first Sow-Fennell was larger then the second so this is lesse then it having smaller and shorter leaves of a blewish greene colour of a little bitter taste but almost no smell the stalke is slender and round about halfe a yard high parted into divers branches whereon stand small tufts of white flowers in an umbell which are succeeded by thicke short seede almost like to Parsley but of an ash colour and bitter sharpe taste the roote is of the bignesse of ones thumbe sometimes greater or lesser with a bush of haires at the toppe blackish or brownish on the outside with a thicke barke of a pleasant sweet taste at the first and afterward sharpe The Place and Time The first groweth naturally in Italy in divers places the second in good plentie in the salt low Marshes a little by Feversham in Kent the last was found on Saint Vincents Rocke by Bristow by Lobel as hee setteth it downe in his Adversaria pag. 331. and in Hungarie and Austria by Clusius They all flower and seede in the end of Sommer that is in Iuly and August The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Peucedanus and Peucedanum some take it of the pitchy sent it 1. Peucedani majoris Italicum sâ—â—itat The toppes of the Italian Sow-Fennell 2. Peucedanum vulgare Common Sow-Fennell carryeth and others of the Pine tree whose leaves are like it Apuleiâ— calleth it Pinastellum the first is the Peucedanum of Matthiolus Anguilara and others and Peucedanum majus Italicum by Lobel and Lugdunnensis the second is called by Bauhinus Peucedanum Germanicum and Peucedanum simply without any other addition by Tragus Fuchsius Dodonaeus and others it is called also Foeniculum porcinum but by Tabermontanus Cauda porcina the last is called by Lobel Peucedani facie perpusilla planta it is called by Clusius Peucedanum Pannonicum and is probable as Clusius and Bauhinus say to be the second Saxifrage of Matthiolus the Arabians call it Harbatum the Italians Peucedano and vulgarly Finocchio porcino and by some also Pinastello by the Spaniards Fenicho del porco by the French Feâ—il de Pourceaus by the Germans of some Harstrang but commonly Sewfenchel or Schebelwurts of the Dutch Verkens Venekell and we in English Sow-Fennell Hog-Fennell Sulphurwort and Horstrange The Vertues The juice of Sow Fennell say Dioscorides and Galen used with Vinegar and Rosewater or the juice with a little Eppâ—orbium put to the nose helpeth those that are troubled with the Lethargie the Phrensie the turning of the braine or dissinesse in the head the Falling sicknesse long and inveterate Headach the Palsie the Sciatica and the Crampe and generally all the diseases of the Nerves and Sinewes used with oyle and Vinegar the juice dissolved in wine or put into an Egge is good for the Cough or shortnesse of breath and for those that are troubled with winde and tormenting paines in the body it purgeth the belly gently and dissolveth the winde and hardnesse of the Spleene it giveth case to those women that have sore travaile in child birth and easeth the paines both of the bladder and reines and wombe also a little of the juice dissolved in wine and dropped into the eares easeth much of the paines in them and put into an hollow tooth ceaseth the paines thereof The roote worketh to the like effect but more slowly and lesse and is to be boyled in water and the decoction thereof drunke the dryed powder of the roote being put into foule Vlcers of hard curation clenseth them throughly remooveth any splinters of broken bones or other things in the flesh healeth them up perfectly likewise bringeth on old and inveterate sores to cicatrising it is also put into such salves as serve to heate and warme any place the roote is hot in the second degree and dry in the third but the juice is stronger Pliny recordeth the vertues hereof in divers places the roote being drunke in wine with the seede of the Cypresse tree in powder easeth the strâ—gling of the mother but some use to burne it and by the smell thereof give ease thereunto the juice helpeth the burstings of children and their Navells when they sticke forth the roote is of so great force in greene wounds and sores that it draweth out the quitture from the very bones CHAP. IIII. Libanotis Herbe Francumsence THere be divers sorts of Libanotides as both the old
from 〈◊〉 and from Galen it is plainely desciphered especially the seede to be much smaller and whiter than 〈◊〉 seede smelling like Origanum and therefore was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aethiopicum and Hippocrates called it 〈◊〉 from the excellencie yet as both Dioscorides and 〈◊〉 say some opposed it in their times taking the Ammi 〈◊〉 be of a different nature wholly because it is smaller and whiter than Cumin but yet saith Pliny the use of this seede in Egypt both in their bread and meate is like unto that of 〈◊〉 regiâ— or Aethiopicum Now pone of these seeds â—or of any other that have been shewed for Ammi or used by the Apothecaries have the smell of Origanum or can be compared with Cumin I have onely once seene a seede that was brought out of the East Indies and obtruded for the true Ammi whose smell was strong somewhat neare to Origanum but the other notes and markes agreed not with it for it was larger and browner also than Cumin seede which I sowed in my Garden but sprang not and therefore can say no more thereof the second is the Ammi of 〈◊〉 sent to some Matthiolus Castor Lugdunensis Camerarius who all call it Ammi Matthioli and Camerarius Creticum also as both one Lobel calleth it Ammi Creticum aromaticum the last is called Ammi aletrum parvum by Dodonaeus and as he saith divers suppose it may rather be taken for Sisan than Ammi Ammi verum by Gesner and 〈…〉 by Lobel and Ammium primum Alexandrinum by Tabermontanus The Arabians call Ammi 〈◊〉 Nanâ—chue and Nanazue the Italians and all other Nations Ammi or neare thereupon but we Bishops weede I meane these sorts here exprest peradventure the true Ammi may be the Cuminum sylvestre before set 〈◊〉 and would be better considered The Vertues The 〈…〉 is commended by Dioscorides and Galen being of an heating and drying property in the third 〈◊〉 and of thinne parts a little bitter in taste and sharpe withall whereby it digesteth humours provoketh 〈◊〉 and womens courses dissolveth winde easeth paines and torments in the bowells being taken in wine and 〈…〉 against the biting of Serpents it is used to good effect in those medicines that are given to hinder 〈…〉 operation of Canthâ—rides upon the vritory parts which they chiefely affect being mixed with hony 〈…〉 and blew markes or spots by bâ—owes and bruises it doth take them away and being drunke 〈…〉 it abateth an high colour and maketh it pale and the fumes thereof taken with Rossin or 〈…〉 the mother Dodonaeus doth much commend the common sort here first set downe that it 〈…〉 expressed of the true Ammi The Egyptian or Arabian seede is said to be very powerfull to 〈…〉 venery for which purpose the Egyptians doe much use it CHAP. XX. 〈◊〉 vulgare sive Amomum Germanicum Small wilde Parsley of Germany FOr some resemblance of this herbe with the first in the last Chapter I thinke good to joyne it next thereunto this riseth up with a tall slender stalke scarse able to stand upright without helpe thinnely 〈◊〉 with winged leaves on the branches the lower leaves being largest and divers being set on a stalke on both sides each whereof is as small almost as the former Ammi leafe some whereof will be 〈…〉 more or lesse and some not cut in at all but all of them dented about the edges at the toppes 〈…〉 umbells of white flowers which turne into small blackish seede lesser than Parsley but of a 〈◊〉 sent and quicker botâ—er taste 〈◊〉 the roote groweth downe much and spreadeth every way whereby it 〈◊〉 fast in the ground and abideth long 2. Sisum odoratum Sweete wilde Parsley 〈…〉 to distinguish it from the former sort called Sisum although 〈…〉 Sison of Dioscorides 〈◊〉 it beareth a single stalke about two cubits high with long Fennell-like 1. Sisum vulgare sive Amomum Germanicum Small wilde Parsley of Germany 2. Sisum odoratum Sweetâ— wilde Parsley like leaves at the joynts which swell sweete betweene Dill and Fennell the umbells are small thin set and white and the seede small blacke well smelling but bitterish somewhat like Smallage the roote is long white and slender some have taken this to be Seseli Massiliense but erroniously The Place and Time This was formerly taken to be a forraine plant the seede being to be had in the Apothecaries shoppes onely in Germany but afterwards divers found it wilde with them as Gesner in hortis sheweth and we have done the 〈◊〉 with us growing neere hedges by moist ditches almost every where and flowreth in Iuly the seede being ripe quickly after The Names Dioscorides calleth it in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so doth Galen Sinon also but Hippocrates Sinnon and Pliny doth the like so that Sison and Sinon be both but one plant as Cordus also doth acknowledge Tragus Gesâ—â—â— and other German Writers doe testifie that the seede hereof was called in the Apothecaries shoppes of their 〈◊〉 Aâ—â—mum and used in the stead thereof so great ignorance was spread over the face of the world for many yeares that not onely the knowledge of herbes but of good literature was in a manner buried or at least neglected and lost and therefore it is still called by many Amomum Germanicum Fuchsius calleth it Petroselinum 〈◊〉 and Dodonaeus maintaineth it taking it to be the truest was extant before others in the Chapter next going before 〈◊〉 I shewed you that he liked of their judgement that called the Ammi perpusillum to be Sison and now 〈◊〉 this iâ— knowne to be the true Sison and called so by Tragus Camerarious and Lugdunensis he would make it to be Macedonian Parsley but surely this cannot be referred to any of the Selinum the composure thereof as well as other things contradicting it Alpinus hath onely mentioned the other The Vertues The properties given to Sison are all found to be effectuall in this plant that it is good against the diseases of the spleene and stitches in the sides against the strangury and difficulty of making water and womens courses when they are stopped it likewise helpeth digestion and is therefore used as Pepper in broths meates and sawâ—es CHAP. XXI Cerefolium Chervill OF the Chervills there is both tame and wilde which shall be here declared but some 〈…〉 Scandix to be a kinde thereof which although it doe in some sort resemble yet I 〈…〉 â—â—ver them and to speake of it and the other â—indes thereof in the next Chapter 1. Cerefolium sativum Garden Chervill This garden Chirvill at the first doth somewhat resembell Parsley but after it is better growne the leaves are very much cut in and jagged resembling Hemlockes being a little 〈◊〉 and of a whitish 〈◊〉 colour and sometimes turning reddish in Summer with the stalkes also â— it 〈◊〉 little above 〈…〉 1. Cerefolium sativum Garden Chervill 2. Cerefolium sylvestre Wilde Chervill bearing white flowers in spoked tufts which turne into long and round seede pointed at the ends and
sylvestre by Thalius and Silaus Plinij by Caesalpinus and others the last was first found out and named Cicutaria Pannonica by Clusius Camerarius calleth it Bulborastanum Coniophyllum Tabermentanus Myrrhis Cicutaria and by Bauhinus as I doe also Cicutaria bulbosa The Arabians call it Sucaram the Italians Cicuta the Spaniards Ceguda and Canheja the French Cigue and Cocue the Germanes Wurtzerling Scirling and Wetterich the Dutch Scharhuk dullekernell and we in English Hemlocke and Kexes The Vertues Hemlocke is exceeding cold in qualitie and very dangerous especially to be taken inwardly For the Athenians adjudged the most wise Socrates to dye by taking the juice thereof for not thinking rightly of their Gods as Aristus and Melitus accused him yet as it was then well knowne some countries bred it stronger to kill then other and although some doe appoint it to be applyed outwardly to the cods of those that have venerous dreames or the like or to maidens and womens breasts to represse their swellings and repell their milke yet by reason the places are so tender and full of vitall spirits it often proveth that the remedy is more dangerous then the disease it may safely be applyed to inflammations tumors and swelling in any other part of the body as also Saint Anthonies fire wheales and pushes and creeping Vlcers that rise of hot sharpe humors by cooling and repelling the heate the leaves bruised and layd to the brow or forehead is good for their eyes that are red and swollen and doth soone ease the paine and take away the swelling and rednesse as also to take away a pinne and web growing in the eye this is a tryed medicine to take a small handfull of the herbe and halfe so much bay Salt beaten together and applyed to the contrary wrist of the hand for 24. houres doth within thrice dressing remove it If the roote of Hemlocks be roasted under the Embers wrapped in double wet papers untill it bee soft and tender and then applyed to the goute in the hands or fingers wiâ—l quickly helpe this evill The remedy for Hemlocke if any shall by mischance eate the herbe in stead of Parsley or the roote in stead of a Parsnep whereby happeneth a kinde of frensie or perturbation of the senses as if they were stupified or drunke is to drinke of the bell and strongest pure wine before it strik to the heart as Pliny adviseth or Gentian put into wine as others say but Trâ—gâ—â— saith that he holpe a woman that had eaten the roote by giving her a draught of good Vinegar but if it be given with wine it procureth death without remedy Matthiolus sheweth that Asses by chance eating of the herbe fell into so deepe a sleepe that they seemed dead which when some came to flay them they flang from them in the doing it to their amazement and merriment CHAP. XXXIII Myrrhis Sweete Chervill or sweete Cicely THere are three or foure sorts of this Myrrhis to be shewed you in this Chapter some whereof are of later invention then others 1. Myrrhis major sive vulgaris The ordinary Garden sweete Chervill This sweete Chervill by reason of the so neare resemblance unto Hemlockes I thought good to joyne next them which groweth not so high but hath large spread leaves cut into divers parts somewhat resembling the greatest Hemlocke but of a fresher greene colour tasting as sweete as the Anneseede the stalke riseth up a yard high or better being crested or hollow having the like leaves at the joynts but lesser and at the toppes of the branched stalkes umbells or trufts of white flowers after which come large and long crested blacke shining seede pointed at both ends tasting quicke yet sweete and pleasant like the lease or Anneseede the roote is great and white growing deepe in the ground and spreading sundry long branches therein in taste and smell stronger then the leaves or seede and continuing many yeares Latifolium Americaâ—â—um Of this kinde wee have another much greater and larger that was brought from America especially the leaves which are foure 〈◊〉 is large as the former not differing else 1. Myrrhis major vulgaris sive cerefelium majus The ordinary greater sweete Chervill 2. Myrrhis altera minor The lesser sweete Chervill 2. Myrrhis altera minor The lesser sweet Chervill The lesser sweete Chervill is somewhat like the former but the whole winged leafe is much lesser and divided into fewer and lesser leaves also and softer in handling the stalkes are lower and the umbells of white flowers smaller the seede that followeth is long but much smaller and not blacke but tasting neare unto the former the roote is a bush of many blackish fibres 3. Myrrhis sylvestris Wilde sweete Chervill The wilde sweete Chervill is likewise a low plant and not much differing from the last in the forme of leaves but that it is somewhat hairy and whiter the flowers are white but in more thinne and sparsed umbells and the seede that followeth is small long and smooth the roote is thicke and blackish and liveth many yeares 4. Myrrhis sylvestris Neapolitana etiam Anglicana Wilde sweete Chervill of England as well as Naples This kinde of Chervill is so like in leafe unto the common Hemlocke that before it be growne up to stalke it derriveth many that gather it for the stalke is spotted sometimes with white and red yet seldome so with us as that of Hemlocke is but whitish at the joynts whereof with the leaves which are lesser come forth small tufts of white flowers and not at the toppes of the stalkes as in all other umbelliferous plants saith Columna which wee have not observed in ours after which the seede followeth which are somewhat long and with a long point more rough and hairy and cleaving faster to garments then the wilde Carrot seede doth and is of an aromaticall sharpe sweete taste mixed with a bitternesse as Columna saith with them but nothing so much with us the roote is small long and white not bigger usually then a Parsley roote dying yea rel The Place and Time The first is thought to grow wilde in some fields of Germany but I doubt the report was onely true for the third 〈◊〉 here which groweth wilde with us as well as with them neare unto ditch sides and other water courses for the first is onely kept in Gardens with us and them too as I heare the second is naturall of Geneva and the parts thereabouts as Lobel saith but was sent also by Aicholzius from Vienna to Norunberge to Camerarius as hee saith in 〈◊〉 and is likely to be naturall of those parts also the last Columna found upon some of the hills in Naples and we have often seene it growing with us in waste places by way sides in the fields sometimes and walls sides The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as well as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Myrrhis and Myrrha likewise in Latine
Dioscorides sheweth of the leaves and berries but Pliny saith of the roote and branches which being steeped three dayes in water was afterwards boyled and strayned then evoporated untill it came to the thicknes of hony and so to be kept as a liquid medicine as Galen seemeth to intimate or else dryed up to the thicknesse of Opium and made up in that manner into Cakes which as is sayd were to be broken to know the goodnesse the scumme saith Dioscorides taken away in the boyling is put with other medicines that serve for the eyes the rest is put to other uses yet the Lycium it selfe is also set downe by him to be effectuall to take away the dimnesse and filmes that hinder the sight It stayeth Fluxes of all sorts both of the belly and humours as the Laske and Bloody flux the aâ—undance of Womens courses and the whites bleedings at the mouth or nose and spitting of blood it is effectuall also for all fowle and creeping Cankers Vlcers and sores whether in the mouth throat or other parts of the body as also for the loosenesse of the gummes chappes in the lippes or clefts in the fundament and at the rootes of the nayles of the hands but especially for all sores in the privie parts of man or woman it is good for the cough being taken with water as also against the bitings of a mad Dogge being put into the eares that ruâ—â—e and matter it helpeth them it is good also against the itch and scabbes and to clense the skinne it coloureth the haire yellow and giveth a yellow dye not onely to Leather and skinnes but serveth Dyers also and Painters in their workes CHAP. XXV Rubus The Bramble OF the Brambles there are are divers sorts some having thornes or prickles upon them others few or none some growing higher and lower then others some also carefully nursed up in Gardens which are the Raspies berries of divers sorts whereof I have in my former Booke given you the knowledge sufficiently and shall not be here againe described 1. Rubus vulgaris major The common Bramble Blacke berry bush The common Bramble or Blacke berry bush is so well knowne that it needeth no description every one that hath seene it being able to say that it shooteth forth many very long ribbed or straked branches which although a great part thereof standeth upright yet by reason of the length 1. Rubus vulgaris major The Bramble or Blacke bush and weakenesse they bend againe downe to the ground there many times taking roote againe all of them thicke set with short and crooked thornes and leaves likewise at severall places upon long prickly footestalkes three and sometimes five set together hard and as it were crumpled with small prickes on the middle under rib of a darke greene colour and grayish underneath which seldome fall away all the winter untill all the sharpe frosts be past whereby the countrey men doe observe that the extremity of Winter is past when they fall off and that new leaves shortly after beginne to shoot forth againe the flowers are many set together at the ends of the branches which consist of five whitish leaves like those of the wilde Bryer bush and sometimes dasht with a little Carnation with small threads in the middle after which come the fruit every one by it selfe but consisting of many graines or Berries as it were set together in a round head like a Mulberry greene at the first reddish afterwards and blacke and sweete when they are ripe which else are harsh and unpleasant the roote groweth great and knottie 2. Rubus minor Chamaerubus sive Humirubus The small low or ground Bramble The branches hereof are very slender alwayes lying and trayling upon the ground never raysing it selfe up as the former doth and often rooteth as it creepeth set with crooked thornes but much smaller then the other with the like leaves and flowers of a pale Rose colour and berries but smaller and of a blewish blacke colour when they are ripe like unto a Damson and as sweete as the other Blaccke berry almost but with lesser sappe or juice in then the roote here of creepeth about and from the knotty joynts send forth new branches Of this kinde there is another sort 3. Rubus montanus odoratus Sweet mountaine Bramble or Raspis This mountaine Bramble or Raspis for to eyther it may bee referred hath sundry long stalkes rising from the roote without any thornes on them but set thicke with soft haires from whence shoot forth theÌ„ broad and large leaves without order set upon long hairy footestalkes divided into five parts almost to the middle ribbe and sometimes but into three or more each a little dented about the edges of a very sweet sent but falling away in winter the flowers are somewhat large like the Eglantine of a delayed purplish violet colour with divers yellow threads in the middle 2. Chamaerubus sive Hamirubus The small or low Bramble 4. Rubus saxatilis Alpinus The stony Bramble or Rocke Raspis 6. Chamaemorus Anglica Our Knot berrie 7. Chamaemorus Cambro Britanica The welsh Knot berry or Lancashiere Cloud berry standing at the toppes of the branches after which come the fruit very like unto Bramble berries but reddish as Raspis but not so well rellished the roote spreadeth much about under ground 4. Rubus tricoccos The Deaw berry or Winberry The Deaw berry hath slender weake branches like the last more often lying downe then being raised up with fewer prickes and thornes thereon then in the last the leaves likewise are usually but three set together more separate on the branches yet almost as large as it and nearer set together on long footstalkes the flowers are white and small the berries usually consisting but of three small berries or graines set together in one yet many times foure or five lesse sappie but not lesse sweete or blew then the other the roote hereof creepeth under ground more then the last 5. Rubus saxmilis Alpinus The stony Bramble or Rocke Raspis This small low plant which by Clusius is more fitly referred to the Raspis then the Bramble hath divers slender reddish twiggy hairy branches little more then a foote high without any thorne at all on them set here and there with rough leaves upon footstalkes three alwayes joyned together and dented about the edges of a very harsh and binding taste the flowers stand at the toppes of the branches three or foure together consisting of foure and some of five leaves a peece of a pale or whitish Rose colour which afterwards turne into small fruit composed of three foure or five graines or berries set together greater then eyther in the Raspis or Bramble of a reddish colour when they are ripe almost transparent full of a most pleasant sweete and acid juice gratefull to the palate having in each of them a white rough kernell or stone the roote creepeth all about and shooteth forth sundry branches from the joynts as they creepe
doe not finde that any hath written being bushes more peculiar to this Land then others the fift Clusius calleth Rubus saxatilis sive petraeus sive Alpinus Gesner in hortis calleth it Rubus Alpinus humilis Thalius Rubus minimus and Bauhinus Chamaerubus saxatilis the sixt and the two last are mentioned by Clusius by the names of Chamaemorus Anglica Norwegica altera as they are in their titles the seventh hath a name or title given it as is fittest to expresse it and to put all out of doubt concerning Gerards Cloud berry as hee hath expressed it from the rude draught of Master Hoskets doing as it is very likely but the more exact figure is here exhibited The Arabians call the Bramble Buleich and Haleicho the Italians Rovo the Spaniards Carca sarsa the French Ronce the Germans Brombeer Bremen and Bramen Braemen also and wee in English Bramble or Blacke-berry bush the fruit or berries are called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Galen saith which some have made Vatina in Latine Mora rubi but in the Apothecaries shoppes Mora bati and of some Mora bussi the berries of the Mulberry tree being called by them Mora selsi The Vertues Galen lib. 6. simpl med saith that the buddes leaves flowers fruit and roote of the Bramble are all of a great binding quality but yet somewhat in a differing manner for the buddes leaves and branches while they are fresh and greene have a cold earthly quality joyned with a warme watery substance but little binding and therefore they are then of good use in the Vlcers and putride sores of the mouth and throate and for the Quinsie and likewise to heale other fresh wounds and sores but the fruit when it is ripe because it is sweet hath a temperate warming juice therein whereby and by that small astriction is in it it is not unpleasant to be eaten but being not yet ripe it is of an exceeding cold and earthly substance sower and very astringent and being kept doe more strongly bind then when they are fresh the flowers are of the same propertie that the unripe fruit is of both of them are very profitable for the Blooddy flux Laskes and the weakenesse of the parts comming thereby and is also a fit remedy against the spitting of blood the roote also beside the binding quality therein hath a thinne essence whereby it is available eyther the decoction or the powder taken to breake and drive forth gravell and the Stone in the Reynes and Kidneyes the leaves of Brambles as well greene as dry are excellent good for lotions for the sores in the mouth and secret parts the decoction of them and of the branches when they are dryed doe binde the belly much more and is good for women when their courses come downe too abundantly the berries saith Pliny or the flowers are a powerfull remedy against the most violent poyson of the Prester or Dipsas which are most violent Serpents the Scorpion and other venemous Serpents as well drunke as outwardly applied and helpeth also the sores of the fundament and the painefull and bleeding Piles the juice of the berries hereof mixed with that of Mulberries maketh the medicine more effectuall to bind and to helpe fretting or eating sores and Vlcers wheresoever and is good for the stomacke the sores in the mouth with the loosenesse of the gummes and teeth the same being taken alone or mixed with some Hipocistis and Hony saith Pliny is a remedy for choller when it gnaweth the stomacke which some call hartburning and is good also against the passions of the heart and faintings the distilled water of the branches leaves and flowers or of the fruit is as sweete as that of Violets and is very effectuall besides the facilitie and pleasantnesse in taking in all hot fevers or distemperatures of heate in the body the head eyes and other parts and for all the purposes aforesaid the leaves of Brambles boyled in lye and the head washed therewith doth heale the itch the mattering and running sores thereof and maketh the haire blacke the powder of the leaves strewed on cancrous and running Vlcers doth wonderderfully helpe to heale them Some use to condensate the juice of the leaves and some the juice of the berries to keepe for their use all the yeare for the purposes aforesaid the other sorts are very neare in qualitie unto it and therefore worke the same effects no doubt but the Norway Knotberry is much commended against the Scorbute or Scurvey and other crude putrid and melancholy diseases wherewith those Northerly people are much afflicted which Clusius out of Hierus Epistle declareth at large and the manner of the cure of a number infected therewith as well in Winter as in Sommer whereunto I refer them that would understand it more fully CHAP. XXVI Rosae sylvestres Wilde Roses or Bryer bushes HAving given you the knowledge of all or most of the manured Roses in my former Booke and with them some of the wilder kindes also as the Sweet bryer or Eglantine the evergreene Rose which is very like thereunto and the great Apple Rose which shall not be further related here I am to shew you all the rest in this Chapter Rosa Damasâ—â—â— The Damaske 1. Rosa sylvestris inodora sive Canina The ordinary wilde Bryer bush 1. Rosa sylvestris inodora sive Canina The ordinary wilde Bryer bush The wilde Bryer bush groweth of it selfe in the hedges very high with upright hard wooddy stemmes covered with a grayish barke especially the old ones set with sharpe thornes up to the toppes but not so thicke as the sweete Bryer having divers leaves somewhat larger thereon and not so greene on the upperside nor so grayish underneath as the other the middle ribbe whereof hath divers small crooked thornes and without any sent at all the flowers stand at the toppes of the branches divers set together of a whitish blush colour made of five 〈◊〉 pointed leaves somewhat longer then the Sweet bryer or Eglantine Rose standing in such like huskes as they or other Roses doe after the flowers are past come the fruit somewhat long and round of a yellowish red colour or reddish yellow colour when it is ripe having a soft sweetish pulpe under the skinne and seedes lying therein also which berries are much devoured by the poorer sort of women and children that eate them gladly the roote runneth deepe and farre in the ground growing somewhat great Rosarum pilulae sive Spongiola Plinie Vpon this Rose as well as upon the Eglaâ—tine is often found a burre or ball of browne threads and I have often seene it also upon the greater Apple Rose which is extant in my former Booke 2. Rosa sylvestris odorato carneo flore The wilde blush Bryer Rose This wild Bryer Rose is so like the former that it is hardly discerned from it eyther for the height of the stem or store of thornes or smalnesse of the leaves but onely for the flowers
bitternesse for being dryed that bitternesse vanisheth when the other two doe abide the bitternesse therefore in the Roses when they are fresh especially the juice purgeth choller and watery humours which qualitie the Greeke authours it seemeth knew not but being dryed and that heate that caused the bitternesse being consumed they then have a stopping and astringent power Those also that are not full blowen doe both coole and binde more then those that are full blowne and the white Roses more then the red The decoction of red Roses made with wine and used is very good for the head-ache and paines in the eyes eares throate and gums the fundament also the lower bowels and the matrix being bathed or put into them the same decoction with the Roses remaining in them is profitably applyed to the region of the heart to ease the inflammations therein as also Saint Anthâ—cies fire and all other diseases of the stomacke being dryed and beaten to powder and taken in steeled wine or water doe helpe to stay womens courses they serve also for the eyes being mixed with such other medicines that serve for that purpose and are sometimes put into those compositions that are called Anthera as is before said The yellow threads in the middle of the red Roses especially which as I said bee erroniously called the Rose seedes being powdered and drunke in the distilled water of Quinses stayeth the aboundance of womens courses and doth wonderfully stay and helpe the defluxions of rheume upon the gummes and teeth and preserveth them from corruption and fastneth them being loose if they bee washed and gargled therewith and some Vinegar of Squilles added thereto the heads with seed being used in powder or in a decoction stayeth the Laske and the spitting of blood Red Roses doe strengthen the heart the Stomacke and Liver and the retentive faculties they mitigate the paines that arise of heate asswage inflammations procure sleepe and rest stay womens courses both white and red and the Gonorrhea the running of the reines and the fluxes of the belly the juice of them doth purge and clense the body from choller and flegme the huskes of the Roses with the beards and the nailes of the Roses are binding and cooling and the distilled water of eyther of them is good for the heate and rednesse in the eyes to stay and dry up the rheumes and watering of them Of the red Roses are usually made many compositions all serving to sundry good uses which are these Electuary of Roses Conserve both moist and dry which is more usually called Sugar of Roses Syrupe of dryed Roses and Hony of Roses the cordiall powder called Diorrhodon Abbatis and Aromaticum rosarum the distilled water of Roses Vinegar of Roses ointment and oyle of Roses and the Rose leaves dryed which although no composition yet is of very great use and effect to be last of all spoken To entreate of them all exactly I doe not entend for so a pretty volume of it selfe might be composed I will therfore only give you a hint of every one of them and referre the more ample declaration of them to those that would entreat onely of them The Electuary is purging whereof two or three drams of it selfe taken in some convenient liquor is a competent purgation for any of weake constitution but may bee encreased unto six drammes according to the qualitie and strength of the patient this purgeth choller without any trouble and is good in hot Fevers in paines of the head arising from hot and chollericke humors and heare in the eyes the Iaundies also and joynt aches proceeding from hot humors The moyst conserve is of much use both binding and cordiall for untill it be about two yeare old it is more binding then cordiall but afterwards it is mâ—re cordial then binding some of the yonger conserve taken with Mithridatum mixed together is good for those that are troubled with the distillations of rheume from the braine into the nose and defluxions of rheume into the eyes as also for fluxes and Laskes of the belly and being mixed with the same powder of Masticke is very good for the running of the reines and for other loosenesse of humors in the body The old conserve mixed with Diarrhodon Abbatis or Aromaticum rosarum is a very good cordiall against faintings swownings and weakenesse and tremblings of the heart it strengthneth also both them and a weake stomacke helpeth digestion stayeth casting and is a very good preservative in the time of infection The dry Conserve which is called Sugar of Roses is a very good Cordiall to strengthen the heart and spirits as also to stay defluxions The Syrupe of dryed red Roses strengthneth a relaxed stomacke given to casting cooleth an overheated Liver and the blood in Agnes comforteth the heart and resisteth putrefaction and infection and helpeth to stay Laskes and fluxes Hony of Roses is much used in gargles and lotions to wash sores eyther in the mouth throate or other parts both to clense and heale them and stay the fluxes of humors falling upon them hindering their heating it is used also in glisters both to coole and clense The cordiall powders called Diarrhodon Abbatis and Aromaticum Rosarum doth comfort and strengthen the heart and stomacke procureth an appetite helpeth digestion stayeth casting and is very good for those that have slippery bowels to strengthen and confirme them and to consume and dry up their moisture and slipperinesse Red Rose water is well knowne and of familiar use in all occasions about the sicke and of better use then Damaske Rose water being cooling and cordiall refreshing and quickning the weake and faint spirits eyther used in meates or brothes to wash the temples or to smell unto at the nose or else by the sweete vapours thereof out of a perfuming pot or cast on a hot fireshovell it is also of much use against the rednesse and inflammations in the eyes to bathe them therewith and the temples of the head also against paine and ache therein Vinegar of Roses is of much use also for the same purposes of paine and ache and disquitnesse in the head as also to procure rest and sleepe if some thereof and Rosewater together be used to smell unto or the nose and temples moistned therewith but more usually to moisten a peece of a red Rose cake cut fit for the purpose and heated betweene a double foulded cloth with a little beaten Nutmeg and Poppy seede strewed on that side shall lye next the forehead and temples and so bound thereto for all night The oyntment of Roses is much used against heate and inflammations in the head to annoint the forehead and temples and being mixed with some Populeon to procure rest as also it is used for the heate of the Liver of the backe and reines and to coole and heale pushes wheales and other red pimples rising in the face or other parts Oyle of Roses is not only used by it selfe to coole any hot
not binde but loosen the body and therefore they that would have it to binde cast away the first water and use the second which staieth laskes and strengtheneth the stomacke and all the inward parts Lentills husked saith hee lose with their shells the strength of binding and the other qualities that follow it and then nourish more than those that are not husked yet so gvie they a thicke and evill nourishment and slowly passe away neither doe they stay fluxes and disenteries as those that are not husked Galen further setteth forth the qualities hereof largely to eate the broth of Lentills saith he breedeth the Leprosie and cankers for grosse thicke meate is fit to breede the melancholike humour and therefore it is profitably given to those that are of a waterie disposition and evill affected thereby but is utterly forbidden to those that have dry constitutions it is also hurtfull to the sight dulling it by drying up the moisture and is not convenient for women that want their courses but rather for them that have them in too much abundance Dioscorides further addeth it breedeth troublesome dreames and is hurtfull to the head the lungs and the sinewes with other binding herbes as Purslaine red Beetes Mirtles dried Roses Pomegranat rindes Medlers Services c. taken with vinegar it is the more powerfull to binde and stay laskes and fluxes the decoction thereof with wheate flower applied easeth the gout used with hony it closeth up the lippes of woundes and cleanseth foule sores being boyled in vinegar it dissolveth knots and kernells and being boiled with Quinses Mellilot and a little Rosewater put thereto it helpeth the inflammations of the eyes and fundament but for the chappes thereof which neede a stronger medicine it is boiled with dried Roses and Pomegranate rindes adding a little hony to it it likewise staieth those creeping cankers that are ready to turne to a gangreene putting thereto some sea-water and so it is good for wheales and running or watering sores S. Anthionies fire kibes c. being used with vinegar it is good also for womens breasts that by abundance of milke have it crudled within them if it be boyled in sea-water and applied to them the decoction thereof is a good lotion for ulcers either in the mouth privie parts or fundament adding a few Rose-leaves and Quinses CHAP. X. Aracus sive Cicera Wilde Cichling Pease I Have two sorts of Pulses to bring to your consideration better agreeing with this title in my judgement than any other let them of better learning and knowledge judge of them 1. Aracus major Baticus The greater Spanish wilde Cichcling Pease This greater Pease spreadeth on the ground with divers square hairy and crested stalkes sometimes a yard long or more at the severall joynts whereof grow many darke greene hairy pointed leaves on each side of a middle ribbe which endeth in a clasper like the former Lentills or Vetches at the foote of the leaves come forth single flowers on very short foote stalkes of a duskie whitish purple colour with deeper purple veines therein and of a deeper purple at the bottome of the upperleaves next to the stalkes which when they are past there come in their places short thicke and almost round blackish cods covered with a short hairinesse thereon within which lie three or foure round blackish seede or Pease almost like unto blackish velvet as bigge as the cicercula but not cornered the roote is small and fibrous and perisheth yearely 2. Aracus minor Lusitanicus The lesser wilde Cicheling Pease This other agreeth much with the former but lesser in all parts and nothing hairy the flowers are of a pale white in my Garden or whitish yellow colour in others 4. Aracuhs minor Lusitanicus The lesser wilde Cicheling Pease and the cods smooth smaller not hairy with smaller and blackish coloured Pease within them the roote hereof perisheth likewise The Place and Time Both these Pulses were brought and sent one among other seedes by Boel before mentioned the first out of Spaine and the other out of Portugall and flowred in the end of Iuly giving their seede in August and September but as he said he gathered the ripe seede in Aprill and May in the naturall places The Names Galen in putting a difference betweene 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aracus and Arachus the one with κ the other with ζ and saith that Arachus is a wild weede or plague in corne and that they picke it out of the corne and cast it away as they doe Securedica the hatchet Fetch and Theoph◠8. Hist c. 10. saith also that it is a hard and rough thing growing among Lentills but of Aracus hee speaketh lib. de alimentorum facultate in an other place giveth me occasion to referre these Pulses thereunto especially because judicious Authors have rendered it Cicera in Latine and Columella saith that Cicera differeth not from Cicercula in taste but in colour because Cicera is darker or blacker than Cicercula and Palladrus also in Martio saith the same thing but Arachus which is rendred Cracea in Latine is more like a Vetch both in growing and in bearing many flowers in a spike at the toppe which this doth not thus have I endeavoured to distinguish these plants which I finde so many learned Writers before me have confounded but Dodonaeus his Aracus or Cicera as I have shewed you before pertaineth to an other kinde the first of these came to me from Boel by the name is in the title to whose opinion I wholly encline having often found him in our naturall search for simples in sundry places to be one of singular judgement and experience the other was sent me out of Portugall where he had the knowledge of it by Nunnez Brandon a lover of rare plants and therefore according to his title of Lugadem pallidum he added Nonij Brandonij by which name it hath beene knowne to others and I now thinke fit to referre it to the other The Vertues Wee have yet learned nothing concerning their faculties CHAP. XI 1. Arachidna Cretica Vnder ground Candy Cicheling Pease THis pulse which for the wonderfull growing thereof hath amazed some and made them search if it were not mentioned in any former author as I shall shew you by and by riseth up with divers stalkes about a foote high having on them both winged leaves that is eight or tenne set on both sides of a middle ribbe ending in a clasper very like unto Lentills or Vetches very variable or differing one from another for some of them are smal and pointed others a little round and some stalkes will have but two leaves either round or pointed and others will have foure the flowers are of a reddish purple standing singly at the joynts which afterwards yeeld small long cods begger than those of Vetches wherein lie foure or five hard round and very blacke seede the roote is composed of many small pods as it were like unto
desire to the stoole without doing any thing as also the Bloody flux when the excrements smell strong a Pultis made with the meale thereof and Linseede and the decoction of Mallowes and a little oyle or Axungia put thereto asswageth the swelling and paines of the cods or privy parts of women and generally all other swellings and tumors the same also helpeth the Goute and other joynt aches that come of cold the Muccilage of the bruised seede steeped in water and strayned forth boyled in oyle or axungia is of much good use for many of the foresaid griefes the decoction or the muccilage applyed to the forehead with clothes dipped therein stayeth the flux of humors to the eyes and easeth the paines and inflammations in them used also in Glisters it is effectuall in the Stone by opening and mollifying the inward parts Lobel saith that of the seede is made an oyle of more vertue then would be beleeved to dissolve scirrhous swellings in the intralls and other hard knots and kernells CHAP. XXVI Tribulus terrestris Land Caltrops THe Land Caltrops for that of the water Tribulus terrestris Land Caltrops shall bee spoken of in another Classis or Tribe riseth up with divers small hard branches with divers winged leaves on them made of many small leaves set on both sides of a middle ribbe like Orobus at the joynts stand singly small pale whitish yellow flowers which turne intâ— small rough prickly heads of five or six corners wherein lyeth a small kernell or seede the roote groweth downewards with many long fibres thereat The Place and Time It groweth in the sandy fields among Corne beyond Sea as also among rubbish and the ruines of buildings and by wall sides wee finde it many times in our owne Land It flowreth in Iuly and ripeneth in August The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine also Tribulus terrestris quod siliqua planta muricata est The Arabians call it Hasacâ— or Hasâ—ck the Italians Tribolo terrestre the Spaniards Abrâ—â— and Abrolhos the French Saligot terrestre the Germanes Waldt Kletlin the Dutch _____ and wee in English Land Caltrops from the forme of the fruit like those instruments of warre that were cast in the enemies way to annoy their Horses but why Pliny should account Tribulus Lolinus Carduus and Lappa no lesse thâ—n Robus to bee the diseases of Corne rather then Plagues and 〈◊〉 of the earth I see no cause and yet it seemeth it was a generall errour growen strong by tradition in those elder ages as many other things were about the Metamorphosis of herbes c. and Virgil seemeth to expresse the same of Pliny in these verses Lappaeque Tribulique niterque intentia culta Infaelix Lolium et steriles dominantur Avenae For the Corne was no way otherwise hindered or spoyled then as other Weedes would doe by their plentifull growing to hinder the growth of the Corne in sucking away the nourishment from the earth that should feede it but by tearing the Legs of the Reapers which faults or plagues rose from the earth wherein the seede of them lay hid ready upon occasion to spring and not in the Corne which if it were sowen in a ground namely a well weeded Garden cleare of such weedes would have none of them among it The Vertues The Land Caltrops are of an earthly cold qualitie and thereby astringent and hindering the breeding of inflammations and Impostumes and against the flux of humors moreover being of thinne parts it doth much helpe to breake and waste the Stone in the Kidneyes a Lotion made therewith healeth all sores and Vlcers in the mouth and all corruptions that breede in the gummes and throate the juice doth clense the inflammations and other hot rheumes in the eyes it likewise cureth the venome of the Viper and other poysons if a dram thereof bee taken in wine The Thracians saith Pliny and Galen that dwell neare the River Strimon did feede their Horses with the greene herbe and lived themselves of the fruit or kernells making them into a sweete bread which bound the belly Pliny addeth that the roote being gathered by a caste persons doth consume Nodes and Kernells the seede bound to the swollen veines in the Legs or other parts of the body taketh the swellings away and easeth the paines CHAP. XXVII Glaux leguminosa sive Glycyrrhiza sylvestris Licoris Vetch OF this kinde of wild Licoris we have two or three sorts to set forth unto you and unto these I will adjoyne the other two sorts of manured Licoris which some good authors have likewise reckoned among the Pulses as I doe here 1. Glaux vulgaris leguminosa The most common Licoris Vetch This kind of Licoris Vetch sendeth forth many weake round hard stalkes trayling on the ground branched upwards set somewhat thicke with winged leaves made of many set on both sides a middle ribbe somewhat like as the Vetch hath but much larger and pointed the flowers come forth at the joynts at the end of a long stalke many together of a bleake white colour tending to yellow which turne into crooked cods conteining 1. Glaux vulgaris leguminosa The most common Licoris Vetch 3. 4. Glycyrrhiza vulgaris siliquosa echinati Codded and rough headed Licoris two rowes of seede cornered and grayish of the taste of other Pulses the roote is thicke and long dividing it selfe into two or three long strings running very deepe into the ground sweete in taste like unto Licoris which dyeth not but abideth long shooting forth new branches every yeare in the Spring 2. Glaux altera leguminosa Another Licoris Vetch This other wilde Licoris hath such like stalkes and leaves as the former but not spreading so farre not leaning downe so much the winged leaves also are not so large of a darker greene on the upper side and gray underneath the flowers are of a purplish colour the cods are brownish long and round and the seede within them more round the roote is like the former growing deepe and spreading and as sweete as the other Thalius saith that this is very like true Licoris except in some few things 3. Glycyrrhiza vulgaris siliquata Common Licoris This Licoris riseth up with many round wooddy stalkes set at severall distances with many winged leaves made of many small long ones set on both sides of a middle ribbe very well resembling a young Ash risen from the seede the flowers appeare at the joynts after it hath stood divers yeares in a place without removing set upon long stalkes many set together one above another spike fashion of a pale blew colour which turne into long browne and somewhat flat cods with three or foure small round hard seedes in them the roote groweth deepe into the ground as great as a mans thumbe or more at the head spreading divers long rootes from it both downewards and likewise suckers from the sides whereby it will quickly encrease browne without and
saith he hath the Portulaca marina but such hath not this Crithmum but very greene and nothing so large as Purslane and may more fitly be called even as the very common sort of people doe Foeniculum marinum Sea Fennell for so in the umbels and whole face thereof it doth assimilate a Fennell but if I may be so bold to scanne Doctor Lobel his Crithmum I beleeve it will be found as defective in some other part as the former for although Portulaca marina agreeth with Dioscorides his Crithmum in the leaves yet it doth not so in the seede wherein it must also agree if it be the right but the seed of Portulaca marina is flat like an Arrach and hath not in it a kernell like wheate as Dioscorides description doth enforce it and therefore we may conclude that neither this nor that doth answer Dioscorides his Text in all points this is therefore more properly to be called Foeniculum marinum untill it can be better determined whereunto it may be appropriate Some would also make it to be Empetron Dioscoridis but Matthiolus hath dissolved those errors shewing that this Sea Fennell hath no purging quality therein at all and that it was never seene naturally growing as well on hils as neere the Sea side Caesalpinus onely and Bauhinus from him maketh mention of the first Crithmum here calling it Baticulae alterum genus ex Sicilia as he doth the second Baticula quasi parva Batis for it is thought to bee that which Pliny called Batis as Gesner in hortis doth and Crithmum marinum also It is the first Crithmum of Matthiolus whom almost all other Authours doe follow who also saith the Italians his Countrymen called it herba de San Petro and some from thence Sampetro and the French thereafter San Pierre and we from them being our neere neighbours Sampier Bauhinus calleth both these first sorts Crithmum fine Foeniculum marinum majus minus The third is the second Crithmum of Matthiolus called Crithmum spinosum by Dodonaeus and Tabermontanus but Pastinaca marina by Lobel Lugdunensis and others and as Bauhinus thinketh is the Tribulus marinus quorundum of Dalâ—champius also Auguilara tooke it to be Secacal and Camerarius calleth it Cuchry marinum The last is Matthiolus his third sort of Crithmum whom Lugdunensis and Camerarius doe follow Dodonaeus calleth it Crâ—um Chrysanthâ— and Lobel Crysanthemum littoroum Casulpinus 〈◊〉 prima Dioscoridis Cordus in observ aâ— sylva Aâ—thyllis major and Bauhinus Crithmum maritimum store Astorâ—â— Attici and by some Aster Atticus marinus The Italians besides the former name call it Finocchio marino the Spaniardâ— Perrexil de laâ—â—ar Hinoio marino the French Faiâ—râ—â— anariâ— and 〈◊〉 and Creâ—emarine as the Apothecaries in their shops beyond Sea Creâ—a marina this from them or they from it the Germanes Meerfenckell the Dutch Zee Venckell and We as I said Sampier and Sea Fennell Petrus Gescâ—ntius calleth it Crethmum Rincum marinum The Vertues To shew you the Vertues of Dioscorides his Crithimum is but to put you to try whether they answer unto our Sampire which are these The rootes and the leaves boyled in wine and drunke helpeth the difficulty in making water and the yellow jaundice the same also provoketh womans courses it is eaten both raw and boyled as other herbes and pickled up to be kept Galen saith it is salt and a little bitter withall whereby it hath an effectuall property to dry and to clense but yet each of these properties are weaker in it then it is in those things that are bitter Our Sampier is a safe herbe very pleasant both to the taste and stomacke not onely by the fulnesse but by the spicinesse in it likewise in helping digestion opening in somesort the obstructions of the Liver and Spleene provoking urine and helping thereby to wash away the gravell and stone engendred in the kidneys or bladder Many other Sea plants might have beene put into this Classis which I have dispersedly handled and spoken of through this whole worke because they were so like unto those plants whereunto I have joyned them that they could not well be seperated I thought them therefore fitter to be entreated of there and reserved onely these few for this place CHAP. L. Bulbus Crinitus marinus The Sea Bulbe with hairy bush toppes BEfore I come to the Sea Mosses let me adde this uncouth unheard of and peradventure untrue or at least uncertaine Sea plant in that we have not yet read or heard of any found Authour that hath mentioned it but Lugdunensis and he as Bulbus marinus crinitus The Sea bulbe with Feather cope he saith out of certaine Navigations in the Italian tongue but neither persons that saw it nor place of the Sea where it grew but onely among certaine Islands nor time when it was found are expressed in the declaration thereof which maketh it the more suspitions but as Lugdunensis hath set it downe so I will give it you to cause others to finde out the truth or folly of the matter Among certaine Islands doth grow so great abundance of this finely expressed plant that shippes being forced to passe over it are often stayed in their course it groweth in the bottome of the Sea to the length of foureteene or fifteene fathome or braces and rising foure or five above the water of the colour of yellow waxe with a reasonable bigge stalke from whence at certaine spaces are set divers bulbes sending forth at their ends certaine bushes or tufts of haires the roote is bulbous also but thicker and greater then the others on the stalkes and bushing out many hairy fibres Thus much hee Bauhinus saith hee knoweth not what it is and surely I thinke if there were any such thing in rerum natura others besides Lugdunensis might have the fortune to light upon that unnamed Authour to certifie us of his honesty and knowledge I can goe no further not having any further limits alotted me CHAP. LI. Muscus marinus Sea Mosse OF Mosses I am next to speake which are of many sorts some of the Vplands and others of the Sea which must be joyned next to those other Sea plants and those of the Land after them and because these also are of divers sorts I thinke fit to distribute them into three rankes the first to be of those that are of an herby substance the second of an harder stony and the last of a spongy matter the first sort also is to be divided into these plants that beare fine cut leaves like Mosse of Fearne and into those that have broader leaves of those with fine cut leaves I shall entreate in this Chapter and of the broader in the next 1. Muscus marinus capillaceus Dioscoridis The soft Sea Mosse This soft Sea Mosse is not Corallina which is hard and hath a branched stalke but is like unto those Mosses that grow upon the ground or trees without any rootes onely growing upon the rockes or upon the shels
the stones and rockes on the ground and sometimes also upon the very ordinary Mosse it selfe as Sir Matthew Lyster one of his Maâ—esties Physitians assured me and sent me some to see which he gathered in Windsor Forrest 8. Muscus ex cranio humano The Mosse upon dead mens Sculles Let me here also adjoyne thiâ— kinde of Mosse not having any fitter place to insert it It is a whitish short kinde of Mosse somewhat like unto the Mosse of trees and groweth upon the bare scalpes of men and women that have lyen long and are kept in Charnell houses in divers Countries which hath not onely beene in former times much â—ounted of because it is rare and hardly gotten but in our times â—â—ch more set by to make the Vngâ—entu◠〈…〉 â—etâ—â—ium which cureth wounds without locall application of salâ—â—s the composition whereof is put as a 〈…〉 ingredient but as Crollius hath it it should be taken from the sculls of those that have beene hanged 〈…〉 for offences The Place and Time The 〈…〉 â—ound in many 〈◊〉 and Woods in this Land but the places of the second and third are Italy as the fourth is also the 〈…〉 as usuall to our Land as to others but the last is oftner brought out of Ireland than found with us and they 〈◊〉 â—o be gathered in the Summer time The Names I have shewed you before how the Greekes and Latines called the Mosses which names indeede doe more properly belong to these trâ—e Mosses for I cannot finde that any of the ancients made any account of the ground Mosses or put them to any use the Arabians called it Axnec and Vsnec and by the Apothecaries Vsnea the Italians Mosco the French Mousse the Germaines Mooss and the Dutch Mosch The first here set downe is called Muscus arboreus and Muscuâ— quâ—ruâ— by most writers the second third and fourth are remembred by Columna the fifth is generally called Pulmonaâ—ia by most writers of this latter age for it is thought it was not knowne to the elder times but without distinction almost whereby many were misse 〈◊〉 taking one herbe for another because there are divâ—â—◠〈…〉 that name and therefore Lobel to distinguish it called it Muscus pulmonarius and others 〈…〉 Lichenis genus and yet some more properly Lâ—chen arbâ—â—â—m the seventh because it is a 〈…〉 as it is in the title and as I take it is Columnâ—â— his Lichen Dioscoridis and Plinii altera 〈…〉 betweene them this of trees and that on the ground by those titles Lichen foliosum being that of the 〈…〉 Lichen adhaerens being this of the trees The Vertues The Vertues that the ancients attributed unto Mosse are wholly to be understood concerning these of trees being cooling and binding and partake of a digesting and mollifying quality withall as Galen saith especially that of the great Ceder for each Mosse doth much partake of the nature of the tree from whence it is taken as that of the Oake to be more binding than those of the Cedar Larche Ivie Ritche and Firre to be more digesting and mollifying it is of good use and effect to stay fluxes and laskes in man or woman as also vomittings and bleedings the powder thereof to be taken in wine The decoction thereof also in wine is very good for women to be bathed with or to sit in that are troubled with the aboundance of their courses the same also drunke doth stay the troubled stomacke perplexed with casting or the hickocke and doth also comfort the heart as Avicen saith and as Serapio saith procureth deepe steepe some have thought it availeable for the Dropsie to take the powder thereof in drinke for some time together the Oyle of Roses that hath had fresh Mosse steeped therein for a time and after boyled and applyed to the Temples and forehead doth merveilously ease the head ache that commeth of a hot cause as also the distillations of hot rheume or humors to the eyes or other parts the ancients much used it in their oyntments c. against lassitude and to strengthen and comfort the sinewes The Lungwort is of great good use with many Physitions to helpe the diseases of the Lungs and for Coughes wheesings and shortnesse of breath and the sheapheards also to their Cattle doe give it for the same purpose with good successe with a little salt it is also very profitably put into lotions that are taken to stay the moyst humors that flow to ulcers and hinder their healing as also to wash all other ulcers in the secret parts of man or woman CHAP. LXII Lichen sive Hepatica Liverwort OF the Liverworts also there are diverse sorts which are also other kindes of Mosses that doe either grow on the ground or on rockes and stones yet moist 〈◊〉 1. Lichen sive Hepatica vulgaris Common ground Liverwort The common Liverwort groweth close and spreadeth much upon the ground in moyst and shadowie places with many sad greene leaves lying or rather as it were sticking flat one unto another very unevenly cut in on the edges and crumpled from among which rise small slender stalkes an inch or two high at the most bearing small starre like flowers at the toppes the rootes are very 〈◊〉 and small whereby it liveth 2. Lichen sive Hepatica minor stellaris Small ground Liverwort This small Liverwort groweth in the like manner as the former and sendeth forth such like starrie flowers but is smaller for the most part in all places where it grow for so as it groweth in the shaddow it will abide in pots as well as on the ground Vubellatus if the place be not stirred or turned up There is also another sort that beareth not 2. Lichen sive Hepatica minor umbellatus Small ground Lâ—verwort with round heaâ—s 4. Lichen 〈◊〉 pileatus Calceato folio 2. Lichen sive Hepatica minor stellaris Small ground Liverwort divided leaves and the small stalkes have round heads not differing in any other thing from the last 3. Lichen petraeus racemosus Cluster headed Liverwort This Liverwort that groweth upon the stones by wells and springs hath much lesser leaves than the former â—â—t lying flat one upon another in the like manner and of a paler greene colour and somewhat hayrie from among which rise slender naked stalkes two inches high bearing at their toppes small heads made like a cluster of divers graines set together of a reddish colour 4. Lichen petraeus pileatus Liverwort with a hooded head This Liverwort groweth in the like moyst stony 1. Lichen sive Hepatica vulgaris Common ground Liverwort places and hath such like leaves lying one upon another of a yellowish greene colour dasht over with an ash colour and spotted a little in the middle of them the stalke groweth to be three or foure inches high being white smooth cleare or transparent and of the thickenesse of a rush whereon standeth a small head somewhat like unto a hat divided underneath into five parts of a spongie substance
the name Panis porcinus Sowbread yet Thalius saith the roote is fitter iâ— Wolves and Foxes then Swine and that it is not to be inwardly taken but by good advise and caution Dioscorides and Pliny from him say that if a woman that is with child goe over a plant thereof it will cause abortion 〈◊〉 is to be delivered before her time but it is certainely knowne by many experiences that some of the fresh greene leaves but much rather the fresh roote which Theophrastus also affirmeth put into a cloth and applyed for â— little time to the secret parts of a woman that is in sore hard and long travaile in child birth hath holpen them 〈◊〉 a speedy and easie delivery the roote beaten and applyed with honey draweth forth splinters c. out of the 〈◊〉 CHAP. XVIII Epimedium Barren wort BArren Wort is a pretty shrublike plant shooting forth sundry hard round stalkes halfe a yard or two foote high each stalke divided for the most part into three branches and each of them bearing three leaves a peâ—ce which are severally somewhat broad and round yet pointed at the endes hard or dry in feeling and a little sharpely dented about the edges of a light greene colour on the upper side and whiter underneath from the middle of some of the stalkes of leaves shooteth forth with them from the first rising up of them a small long footestalke of flowers not much higher then the stalkes of leaves divided into branches containing on each of them three flowers a peece separated into foure parts as if the flower consisted but of foure leaves 〈…〉 part hath two leaves one lying close upon another the inner being yellow and smaller then the lower which are red so that the red edge appeareth round about the yellow making it seene a yellow flower of foure leaves with red edges it hath also a few yellow threds in the middle set with greene the underside of the flowers being of a yellowish red colour stript with white lines which being past small long pods appeare with â—â—artish 〈◊〉 seede in them the rootes are small and fibrous hard and reddish spreading much underground and delighteâ— best in shaddowy rather then Sunny places the sent of the plant is rather strong then pleasant Alterum Americanum magis fruticosum We have had brought us from some of the Northerne plantations of America a certaine shrubby and wooddy plant bringing forth thrice three leaves composed in the same manner with the former but each leafe was twise as bigge but we never saw it beare any flower or fruite with us not did the plant long endure with us but by degrees grew weaker and in the end utterly perished so that I cannot determine it as I would and we could never get the same kinde againe but the Hedera trifolia set forth in this Worke before commeth somewhat â—eere thereunto but yet is not the same having onely three leaves at a place upon the stalkes and not nine that is â—â—rise three as that had The Place and Time Caesalpinus saith it groweth on the mountaines of Liguria Camerarius Eâ—pimedium Barrenwort neere unto Vicenzo in Italy Bauhinus on the Euganian hils and in Romania in shadowy wet grounds and flowreth from Iune unto the middle of August The Names The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epimedium of Dioscorides hath beene diversly interpreted by sundry writers some taking it to be one thing some another for Columna in his Phytobasanos setteth the Lunaria minor for it but surely erroniously and saith that neither the Hepatica trifolia nor that Seseli Aethiopicum which is the Libanetis Theophrasti with us which some in and before his time tooke to be it can be it Bauhinus would seeme to make Thalius to meane the Caltha palustris to be Dodonaeus his Epimedium when as I cannot finde in any of Dodonaeus his workes that he meant or set forth any other Epimedium then this I here shew you So that I hereby thinke Bauhinus was mistaken to quote Thalius to meane Caltha and that Thalius also was mistaken in taking that herbe which he gathered as he saith in some place of the Harcynia sylva and kept in his booke of dryed herbes that had foure round leaves a little dented about the edges standing each upon a slender footestalke and with a blacke tuberous roote to be Epimedium Dodonaei which neither hath such round leaves nor such a blacke tuberous roote Anguilara it is thought first entituled this EpimediuÌ„ which some in his time called Lunaria whom all others that have set it forth since have so called and yet some make a doubt whether it be Dioscorides his or no. First in that hee saith Epimedium hath tenne or twelve leaves when as the triplicity is so conspicuous that it is a wonder he should omit that if he meant this againe he saith it beareth neither flower nor fruite when as this giveth both yet hereunto it is affirmed that Dioscorides might faile in this as he did in Dictamum Tussilago Cynoglossum c. It is likely also that Theophrastus should meane this of Dioscorides which in his seventh Booke and eighth Chapter he calleth Epimetrum and saith it beareth no flowers which Pliny calleth also Epipetron and some Epimenidium The Vertues We have not any late experience hereof to shew but as Dioscorides Pliny and Galen have set downe of it that iâ— is moderately cold and moist and without any speciall property more then to keepe womens brests from growing over great being made into a cataplasme with oyle and applyed thereto and that the report went that the roote would make women barren that tooke it inwardly as also the leaves made into powther and taken in Wine for sometime CHAP. XIX Viola Lunaris sive Bulbonach The white Sattin flower THere are two sorts of this Sattin flower Viola Lunaris sive Bulbonach The white Sattin flower one that dyeth after seede time and another that abideth both which I have so sufficiently declared in my former Booke that I neede not further to amplifie them I will therefore referre you thereunto to be enformed of them and onely here give you the figure of it CHAP. XX. Aquilegia Columbines I Have shewed you in my former Booke so many sorts of Columbines and of so many colours both single and double that I then thought there had beene no more to be set forth yet since that time I have attained the knowledge of some others which I thinke meete to expresse here especially one out of Virginia with a single flower which Master Iohn Tradescant brought from thence Aquilegia Virginiana flore rubessente praecox The early red Columbine of Virginia This Virginian sort differeth little from the ordinary single sort but in these particulars the stalke is as tall as some Aequilegia although Cornutus make it a dwarfe and reddish the leaves are smaller and somewhat like â—nto those of the Thalietrum Medow Rue but of a paler greene colour the flowers are of
set with long winged leaves like those of Flaxe opposite each to other on a middle ribbe at the toppes of each whereof standeth a large blew flower somewhat like unto the flower of a Poppy after which come five cornered heads containing small blacke 4 5 6. Nigella Cretica inâ—â—oro semino latifolia tenuifolia odorata Candy Nigella without sent and two other with sweet smelling seed 7. Nigella Cretica odorata folijs Liui seminibus biformibus Sweete Nigella of Candy with double formed seedes sweete smelling seede but besides these at the joynting of the branches come forth other sorts of seede cluâ—â—ing together like a bunch of grapes which are whitish nature thus providing it with a double issue least it should faile 8. Nigella Citrina flore albo simplici Single white Nigella with yellowish seede Wee have also in our Gardens another single sort of Nigella that hath come among other seedes that hath beene sent from some of our friends beyond Sea that differeth so little from the other usuall sorts that it can hardly be discerned except it be in the fresher greenenesse of the leaves before it come to flower which then is small like the third wild sort here set downe but white the heads also are small but formed alike having smaller seede within them not blacke as others are but yellowish and without sent and herein it is somewhat like unto the double white kinde described in my former Booke The Place and Time The first is usually sowen in Gardens even in Italy or else where the other sorts grow wilde and in the fields of Corne in Italy Candy Germany c. they are all annuall to be sowne in the Spring if they doe not sow themselves and flower in Iune and Iuly giving ripe seede in August The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Melanthium also in Latine and Nigella a nigro seminuÌ„ colore ut fertur and anciently called Gith divers other bastarde names have beene given it as Salusandra and Papaver nigrum from the Greeke word all late Authours call them either Melanthium or Nigella onely Fuchsius and Cordus tooke it to be the Cuminum sylvestre alterum of Dioscorides The Arabians call it Xanim Sunis or Sunizi The Italians Nigelle the Spaniardes Azenuz and Niguillia the French Poyurette and Nielle the Germanes one sort St. Katarijmen blumen that is St. Katherines flower the wilde sorts Schwartz Kumel and Schwartz Rommich the Dutch Nardus saer because they and others had a perswasion that the oyle made out of the seede was Oleum Nardinum We call it in English either Nigella after the Latine or Fennell flower as I doe For the understanding of the severall Authours of these the first second and third are mentioned by our later Writers by those titles they have or very neere them The fourth is called by Bauhinus Nigella Cretica simply and by Clusius Melanthium Creticum The fifth is mentioned by Pona in his Italian Baldus the seventh by Alpinus in his booke of Exoticke plants The sixt by Pona in his Italian Baldus The last as I thinke is not mentioned by any Authour The Vertues The sweete smelling seedes are effectuall to many diseases but the first kinde is onely used in medicines the other that doe not smell well are in a manner refused Galen saith it is hot and dry in the third degree and of thin parts and thereby it helpeth to dry up rheumes and destillations from the head being tyed in a cloath and smelled unto but being put into a cappe among other things for that purpose it doth much good being taken inwardly it eâ—pelleth winde the wormes and womens courses it helpeth also the shortnesse of breath and cleanseth the kidneyes of gravell and the stone and provoketh urine being taken with honey and is a remedy against poyson and the biting of the Spider Phalangium and the Scorpion and as it is said encreaseth milke in womens brests being boyled in Vinegar it helpeth the tooth ache to be held in the mouth the same used outwardly helpeth the scurfe freckles spots c. in the skinne and hard swellings also and cleanseth the eyes being burned it driveth away flies gnats and the like the seede was familiarly eaten in former times being strawed on their bread or put therein as Poppy seede was Alpinus saith that the use of the fifth sort is very effectuall both in tertian and quartane agues to open obstructions especially if the seede thereof be boyled with Vinegar and so taken and killeth the wormes also CHAP. XXVI Pisum cordatum vesicarium The bladder heartlike spotted Pease ALthough divers have diversly thought of this plant some referring it to the kinde of Halicacabus or Alkakengi Winter Cherry others to other plants yet seeing it agreeth with none of them all but in some one thing or other in others wanting some one thing or other And because I could not finde a family whereinto I might thrust it I have kept it for this place untill some fellow may be found to match it with Take therefore the description thereof thus It riseth up and spreadeth much if it have good ground to grow in having sundry slender weake stalkes which will lie down on the ground and entangle it selfe with the claspers it hath unlesse it be sustained with some stakes sending forth large long thinne and very greene leaves on all sides upon long footestalkes being divided either into three or five parts each whereof is much rent or cut in on the edges at the joynts with the leaves from the middle of the stalkes almost upwards and at the toppes of them likewise come forth divers small whitish flowers set together upon a footestalke each consisting of five small leaves apeece which passe into small fruite contained in round greene bladders growing more whitish as it ripeneth having sixe ridges whereof three are the more eminent and open into three parts in each whereof lyeth one round hard blackish seede of the bignesse of a great Pease spotted on the side with a marke of the forme of a white Hart as it is usually set on the cards or as some compare it to the shaven crowne of Monckes and Fryers the roote is bushy or stringy with many fibres thereat yet perishing every yeare at the first approach of a Winters day whether it be ripe or no and indeede I did never see it beare ripe fruite with us no not in the hottest yeare that I have sowne it The Place and Time It hath come from Italy and other parts beyond Sea but surely even they have received it from other places also nor doe I thinke it groweth naturally in any part of Europe it flowreth as is said very late and the seede ripeneth thereafter The Names Some as I said have referred it to the Solanum vesicarium or Halicacabum of Dioscorides and thereupon have called it Vesicaria peregrina or Halicacabum peregrinum or repens as Tragus
fruite is ripe in September except the late ripe which as is said is in October The Names By the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did the ancient Greekes understand all sorts of fruites whose outer shell or covering was hard as Nux Amygdala Nux Euboica Castanea Nux Heracleotica Avellana Nux Judica Nux moschata Nux Pinea c. and because these were brought unto them by Kings they therefore called them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nux Regia but afterward it was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jovis glans and so the Latines from them Diu glans but contracting the word and substracting the first Letter they called it Iuglans other names are found in Pliny whereby the varieties of them were called as Persica Tarentina and Mollusca for those with thinne shels and Moracina and Moracilla in Macrobius for those that come late their severall titles declare these here and their generall name by all Authours of late is Nux Iuglans or Nux Regia the outer greene shell or rinde is called in Latine Gulioca and by Festus Culeolus the inner skinne that covereth the kernell is called Nauci The Arabians call it Ieuz Leuz and Giausi which is properly but Nux as Giausi bandi Nux Bandensis the Italians Noci the French Noix and Noyer the Spaniards Nuezos the Germanes Welschnusbaum and Nussbaum the Dutch Note and Okernoteboom and we in English Wallnut The Vertues Dodonaeus is of opinion that the fresh nuts are cold and moist but Fuchsius saith they are drying in the first degree and warming in the second the barke of the tree doth binde and dry very much and the leaves are neere of the same temperature but the nuts when they are older are heating and drying in the second degree and of thin parts and are harder of digestion then when they are fresh which by reason of their sweetenesse are more pleasing and better digesting in the stomacke and taken with sweete wine they moove the belly downewards for being old they grieve the stomacke and cause in hot bodies choller to abound and the headache and are an enemy unto those that have a cough but they are lesse hurtfull to those that have colder stomackes and are said to kill the broad wormes in the stomacke or belly if they be taken with Onions salt and honey they helpe the biting of a mad dogge as also the biting of any man or any other venome or infectious poyson Cueus Pompeus found in the treasury of Mithridates King of Pontus when he was overthrowne a scroule of his owne handwriting of a medicine against any poyson or infection yet Galen attributeth it to Apollonius Murus and Aetius taketh it out of Strutho his writings which is this two dry Wallnuts and as many good Figges and twenty leaves of Rue or Herbegrace bruised and beaten together with two or three cornes of salt which taken every morning fasting preserveth from danger of poyson or infection that day it is taken the juyce of the outer greene huskes boyled up with hony is an excellent gargle for sore mouthes the heate and inflammations in the throate or stomacke the kernels when they grow old are more oyly and therefore are not so fit to be eaten but then are used to heale the wounds of the sinewes gangrens and carbuncles the said kernels being burned are then very astringent and will stay laskes and the feminine courses taken in red Wine and stay the falling of the haire and make it faire being annointed with oyle and wine the like will also the greene huskes doe used in the same manner the kernels beaten with Rue and Wine being applyed helpeth the Quinsie and bruised with some honey and applyed to the eares easeth the paines and inflammations of them if they be eaten after Onyons they take away the strong smell and sharpenesse of them a peece of the greene huske put unto an hollow tooth easeth the paines and consumeth the marrow the worme as they call it within it the catkins hereof taken before they fall thereof dryed and given a dramme weight in pouther with white wine doth wonderfully helpe those women that are troubled with the rising of the mother some doe use the greene huskes dryed and made into pouther instead of Pepper to season their meates but if some dryed Sage in pouther be put unto it it will give it the better rellish in the same manner doe some use the young red leaves before they grow greater and find it a seasoning not to be dispised of poore folkes the oyle that is pressed out of the kernells besides that it is farre better for the painters use to illustrate a white colour then Linseede oyle which deadeth it and is of singular good use to be laid on guilded workes or on those workes of wood that are made by burning such as are those walking staves that have workes on them or the like to preserve the colour of the gold or of the other worke for a long time without decay is very profitably taken inwardly like oyle of Almonds to helpe the chollicke and to expell winde very effectually taking an ounce or two at a time The young greene nuts before they be halfe ripe preserved whole in sugar are not onely a dainty 〈◊〉 among other of the like nature but are of good use for those that have weake stomackes and defluction◠〈◊〉 The dâ—â—tilled water of the greene huske before they are halfe ripe iâ— of excellent use both to coole the 〈…〉 to be drunke an ounce or two at a time as also to resist the infection of the Plague if some thereof also 〈…〉 the sores thereof the same likewise cooleth the heate of greene wounds and old ulcers and to hoâ—le them being bathed therewith the destilled water likewise of the greene huskes being ripe when they are shaled from the nuts is of very good use to be drunke with a little vinegar for those that are infected with the plague so as before the taking thereof a veine be opened this is of often experience the said water is very good against the Quinsie to be gargled and bathed therewith and wonderfully helpeth deafenesse the 〈◊〉 and other paines in the eares the distilled water of the young greene leaves in the end of May performed to singular cure on foule running ulcers and sores to be bathed with wet clothes or sponges applyed to them evening and morning there resteth on the leaves of this tree a kinde of red thicke dew in the hottest time of Summer more then on any other tree round about it which will be rather dry then bedewed at all which honey dew being taken doth stake the thirst wonderfully it is averred by some that if the ripe nuts huskes and all be put into hony they will then be of so good efficacy for sores and â—ore mouthes that thereof may fitly be made gargles and lotions either inward or outward CHAP. XIX Nux Avellana The Hassell nut OF these small nuts there is
blacke is ripe in Iune and Iuly the other later The Names The first blacke sorts are taken generally by the best later Writers to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus that is Vitis ex parte Idae quam vocant Phalacras but Pliny falsly put in Alexandrina instead of Idaea in Latine by them Vitis Idaea Thâ—ophrasti and because all the rest have a resemblance thereunto they are all called Vites Idaea likewise with their severall distinctions as you shall presently heare they are many of them also called Vaccinia by divers thinking the black sort to be the Vaccinia nigra of Virgil by the transposition of a letter Baccinia nigra parva quasi bacca but that errour is exploded by many good Authours that shew Virgil putteth his Vaccinia among flowers and not fruites for as he saith Et sunt Violae nigrae Vaccinia nigra intending the colours were both alike as a kinde of Hyacinth which he might meane is as the Violet flower Vitruvius and Pliny indeede have a Vaccinium which giveth a purple dye to servants or others garments which may very wel be this for such a purple colour will the juyce hereof give if it be rightly ordered It is also called Myrtillus and by some Myrtillus Germanica because the Physitions and Apothecaries in Germany and those parts tooke them to be true Mirtle berries and so used them untill they were shewed their errour and since have forsaken it as we have done also Gesner also in hortis sheweth that some did take the Vitis Idaea to be that Vine that beareth Currans but saith he that noble Vine groweth not on so high or snowy mountaines but rather in the Planes and open hils and ordered by the industry of men The first Tragus calleth Myrtillus exiguus and so doe Matthiolus and Lugdunensis Dodonaeus and Lobel called it Vaccinia nigra Anguilara radix Idaea fructu nigro Camerarius Gesner and Clusius Vitis Idaea vulgaris baccis nigris Caesalpinus Bagola primum genus The second is called by Tragus Myrtilâ—us grandis and is the Vitis Idaea major of Thalius the Vitis Idaea secunda sive altera of Clusius and the Vitis folijs suer otunais â—nâ—lbidis although he hath transposed some of these titles to his second which is my third whereof onely Clusius maketh mention and calleth it his first and Gerard Vaccinia Pannonica and Bauhinus calleth Vitis Idaea folijs oblongis albicantibus The fourth is called Vaccinia rubra and Vitis Idaea rubra by all writers thereof Camerarius and Thalius say that some tooke it to be Rhus minor Plinij and Clusius Vitis Idaea buxeis folijs and Anguilara Radix Idaea fructu rubro as he did the blacke before Radix Idaea fructu nigro and Lugdunensis doth thinke that this is most properly the Radix Idaea of Dioscorides The fifth is mentioned onely by Camerarius in horto who calleth it Vitis Idaea rubra Bavarica The sixth is referred by Clusius to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Galen in his seventh Booke de composit med secundum locos cap. 4. and thereupon he called it Vva ursi Galeni Bauhinus refereth it to the Vitis Idaea making it his sixth and calleth it Idaea radix Dioscoridis also The seventh is called by Clusius Vitis Idaea tertia not thinking his former to be so worthy of that name Lobel saith the French call it Amelanchier and doubteth if it be not that shrub which they call Alâ—sâ—er Bellonius saith that their Melanchier is called in Candy Agriomelea and Codomalo but I thinke he is deceived that having blacke and this red fruite Gesner in his Epistles as Clusius saith if he meant this plant giveth it divers names as Myrtomalis Petromelis Pyrus Cervina and Pyraster Idaea Dalechampius taking it to be Cotonaster Gesneri calleth it Epimelis altera but giveth it red berries which therefore I suppose may be rather one of the two last The two last are mentioned by Alpinus in his Booke of Exoticke plants by the name of Cerasus and Chamaecerasus Idaea Cretica thinking the former most neerely to be the Cerasus Idaea Theophrasti The Italians did use to call the first Mirtillo but now Vite Idaea according to the Latine the French Airelle and Aurelle the Germanes Heidelbeer the Dutch Crake besien and we Whorts or Whortle berryes and Bill berries with us about London The Vertues The Bill berries doe coole in the second degree and doe a little binde and dry withall they are therefore good in hot agues and to coole the heat of the stomacke and liver and doe somewhat binde the belly and stay castings and loathings but if that they be eaten by those that have a weake or a cold stomacke they will much offend and trouble it saith Camerarius and therefore the juyce of the berries being made into a Syrupe or the pulpe of them made into a conserve with Sugar will be more familiar to such and helpe those paines the cold fruite procured and is good for all the purposes aforesaid as also for those that are troubled with an old cough or with an ulcer in the Lungs or other disease thereof with the juyce of the berries Painters to colour paper or cards doe make a kinde of purple blew colour putting thereto some Allome and Galles whereby they can make it lighter or sadder as they please And some poore folkes as Tragus sheweth doe take a potfull of the juyce strained whereunto an ounce of Allome foure spoonefuls of good Wine vinegar and a quarter of an ounce of the waste of the copper forgings being put together and boyled all together into this liquor while it is reasonable but not too hot they put their cloth wooll thred or yarne therein letting it lye for a good while which being taken out and hung up to dry and afterwards washed with cold water will have the like Turkie blew colour and if they would have it sadder they will put thereto in the boyling an ounce of broken Gaules Gerard saith that hee hath made of the juyce of the red berries an excellent crimson colour by putting a little Allome thereto the red Whorts are taken to be more binding the belly womens courses spitting of blood and any other fluxe of blood or humours to be used as well outwardly as inwardly CHAP. XLVII Iovis barba frutex The silver Bush THis beautifull fine bush groweth to the height of a Iovis barba frutex The Silver Bush man with a number of slender branches thicke bushing out on all sides whereon grow long winged leaves made of many small ones like Lentill leaves but narrower each set against other with an odde one at the end of a faire greene colour on the upperside and of a silver white shining colour underneath the young leaves being also of the same colour at the ends of the branch standeth large umbels of yellow flowers made after the fashion of broome flowers set in grayish huskes like the heads of the three leafed grasse after which
places neere thereabouts they flower about the end of May or in Iune and the seed is ripe and blowne away in the biginning of September The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine also Myrica and Tamarix but of divers Tamariscus and by Pliny Bria sylvestris in Achaia as Lugdunensis saith The first is called Tamariscus and Tamarix humilis by Cordus and others and Tamariscus Germanica by Lobel all others call it Myrica or Tamoriz sylvestris or altera The second hath no other name but what I have given it The third is called Tamariscus or Tamarix Narbonensis by Lobel Lugdunensis and others and Myrica and Tamariscus sylvestris by Clusius and Alpinus and Tamarix Gallica aut Hispanica by Clusius also The last is taken to be the Myrica and Tamarix sativa of Dioscorides by Clusius Cordus and others by Bellonius Tamarix gallis anusta The Arabians call it Chermasel and the former sort Tarfa or Carfa the Italians Tamarigio the Spaniards Taray and Tamargueira the French Tamaris the Germanes Tumarischen baum oderholtz the Dutch Tamarschen and we in English the Tamariske tree The Vertues Tamariske as Galen saith is of a clensing and cutting quality without any manifest drying yet it hath a little therein but the fruite and barke are much more drying and is very powerfull against the hardnesse of the spleene if the roote or leaves or young branches be boyled in Wine or vinegar and drunke and applyed outwardly to the place also the leaves boyled in Wine and drunk is good to stay the bleeding of the hemorrhodiall veines the spitting of blood and womens too abounding courses and helpeth the jaundise and the chollick and the bitings of the Spider Phalangium the Viper and all other venemous Serpents except the Aspe The barke is as effectuall or rather more to all the purposes aforesaid and both it and the leaves boyled in Wine and the mouth and teeth often washed therewith helpeth the tooth ache being dropped into the eares easeth the paines and is good for the rednes watering of the eyes the said decoction with some honey put thereto is good to stay gangrenes and fretting ulcers the said decoction is also good to wash those that are subject to lice and nits The wood is held so powerfull to waste and consume the hardnesse of the spleene that although it is likely to be fabulous that is said thereof if Swine drinke or eate their wash out of the toughes made thereof it will waste their spleene so much as that they will be found quite without after a while but it sheweth that is very effectuall to consume the spleene and therefore to drinke out of cannes or cups made thereof is very good for spleneticke persons The ashes of the wood are used for all the aforesaid effects and besides doth quickely helpe the blisters raised by burnings or scaldings of fire or water Alpinus saith and Veslingius affirmeth it that the Egyptians doe with as good successe use the wood hereof to cure the French disease as others doe with Lignum Vitae or Guajacum and give it also to such as are possest with lepry scabbe pushes ulcers or the like and is availeable also to helpe the dropsie arising from the hardnesse and obstruction of the spleene as also Melancholly and the blacke jaundise that ariseth thereof CHAP. LIX Erica Heathe THere are a great many sorts of Heathes and therefore to avoid confusion I must devide them into foure Ranckes or Orders the first of those whose leaves are like Tamariske the second like unto the Heathelow Pine or Coris the third is of those that lye or leane downe to the ground and the last of those that beare berries 1 Erica vulgaris Common Heath 2. Erica vulgaris hirsutior Common rough Heath 1. Erica vulgaris Common Heathe The Heath that groweth most frequent in our Land is a low shrubby plant little above halfe a yard or two foote high with rough wooddy brownish stalkes and sundry branches plentifully stored with small short greene leaves like to those of Tamariske foure usually set together from the middle to the ends of the branches stand small bottle like bright purplish flowers at severall distances about the stalkes and ending in foure corners in which grow small seede when they are past the roote spreadeth deepe sometimes this is found with white flowers Flore alb◠but very seldome 2. Erica vulgaris hirsutior Common rough Heath This other Heath groweth like the former in all things but somewhat higher the leaves whereof are alike also but more rough and of a hoary greene almost white the flowers also are like but somewhat paler and herein consisteth the chiefest difference the rootes of both grow downe and are strongly fastned in the earth the seed is like and so is the roote 3. Erica Graeca Phana dicta The Greekish common Heath Bellonius in his first Booke of Observations and the 53. Chapter that giveth us the knowledge of this Heath saith that meeting certaine boyes that had gathered bundles of Heath about Syderocapsa in Macedonia to burne which they called Phana was desirous to know the difference betweene it and common Heath and by them he learned this as one especiall note of difference that it is easily pulled up by the rootes without any instrument to digge the ground when as the other common sort cannot be gotten out without a spade to digge it The Place and Time The first groweth throughout the Land in waste grounds that are called Heathes because this kinde of plant groweth most plentifully thereon the second groweth on Windsor Heath where Clusius saith he found it and the last in many places of Greece the first and second are found sometimes twise flowring in the yeare usually in Iuly and August and sometimes in the Spring also The Names The generall name for Heathe in Greeke is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but Tetralix by the Athenians as Pliny saith in Latine Erica and of some Myrica mistaking it yet by Varro Sisara but that particular sort here shewed you in the third place is called Phana now adayes by the Greekes Marcellus was in a very great errour that made Heath a kinde of Broome because it serveth to the same use that is to sweepe houses The first is by all called Erica vulgaris and Erica Myrica folio by Lobel and Clusius who also so calleth the second which Bauhinus saith some tooke to be the Selago Plinij The last is sufficiently expressed in the description and here before The Italians call it Erico the Spaniards Queiro the French Bruiere the Germanes and the Dutch Heyden and we Heath CHAP. LX. 1. Erica Coris folio maxima alba The great white flowred Heathe THis Heath groweth the greatest of any even as tall 2. Erica Coris folia maxima purpurascens The great purple flowred Heath as a man and yet sometimes much lower with wooddy browne stalkes and branches the leaves being small round and short
a whitish greene colour after which come somewhat long and round berries with a tough blacke skinne or covering somewhat wrinckled with a hard firme kernell within parting into two parts the roote spreadeth under the ground and groweth deepe also the wood is firme smooth and white 2. Laurus minor The lesser Bay tree The lesser Bay tree groweth not so high and doth runne more into suckers or shootes whereon grow smaller thinner and longer leaves then of the former yet smelling well also the rest of the parts doe not vary much but that the berryes be smaller and rounder 3. Laurus Americana cujus cortex Cassiae ligneae multum assimilatur The strange Indian Bay tree or Cassia Lignea of the West Indies I must needs adjoyne this strange Indian Bay tree both for the rarity and excellency thereof which I take out of Tobias Aldinus his description of some plants that grew in Cardinall Farnesius his Garden at Rome and grew from the berries were brought from the West Indies in that Garden of the Cardinall 1620. which were blacke rugged like Bay berries and somewhat long like Ollives pointed at the end and divers growing together in a bunch each upon a short footestalke it shortly grew into a great height and bignesse the leaves were very like unto Bay leaves or rather in a meane betweene the great Kings Bay which I take to be that we call Laurocerasus and the common Bay or the Citron tree which being chewed at the first are somewhat bitter but after with a sweetnesse have some maccilaginousnesse or clammynesse in them yet smelling like the common Bay whose footestalke is thicker then of them and the branches smaller and finer but saith it is wonderfull to feele so much viscide and tough clamminesse in them which made a doubt with some learned Herbarists whether it were not the tree of Cinamon or of Cassia or Canell and that not by any light conjecture for Garzias ab orta saith the leaves of the Canell tree are of the colour of Bay leaves but neere the forme of the Citron tree leaves and all Authours writing of the trees of Cinamon or Canell say the leaves are like Bay leaves the fruite also by Garzias of the Canell is blacke and round of the bignesse of an Hasell nut and like an Ollive Gâ—â—ara Carate and Cieça say that the fruite groweth in clusters or bunches Acosta that the fruite is blacke and shining when it is ripe the maccilaginous taste also in this plant seemeth to be in that sort of Canell is thought with us to be the true Cassia lignea yea the best Cassia with Dioscorides is called Daphnitis which is a word derived from Daphne which is a Bay but saith he I will shew you my opinion that we have no true Cinamon although I have read of many that affirme our Canell to be the true Cinamon of the Auncients yet I have saith he many reasons against it which for brevity I here omit hoping to declare them in another place The Place and Time The Bay groweth wilde naturally in divers places of Narbone in France Spaine and Italy and in other warme Countryes where it groweth very great especially neere the Sea but is wholly planted with us or raised from sowing the berries it flowreth in May the fruite is scarse thorough ripe either in October or November The Names It is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greeke quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod usta valde sonet for nothing doth more crackle or make a noise in the fire then it in Latine Laurus much Gentilisme might be inserted here of Daphne the Daughter of Ladus whom Apollo overtooke flying from him and by the implored aide of her mother earth was transformed into a Bay from whence taking a branch he in honour of her crowned himselfe but under this rugged shell was â—â—id a smoother kernell for the Bay was a token of prophecy and by Apollo is signified wisdome that is that wisdome doth foresee events when the passions be overruled as also that they wore a Garland of Bayes to be kept safe from lightening and thunder that wisedome knoweth how to avoide the judgements of God when foolishnesse is liable to them and must undergoe them The Arabians call it Gaur or Gar the Italiaas Lauro the Spaniards Laurerro the French Laurier the Germanes Lorbe enbaum the Dutch Laurusboon and we the Bay tree the berryes are called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Lauri baccae The Vertues Galen saith that the Bay leaves or barke doe dry and heale very much and the berries more then the leaves the barke of the roote is lesse sharpe and hot but more bitter and hath some astriction withall whereby it is effectuall to breake the stone and is good to open the obstructions of the Liver Spleene and other inward parts as the dropsie and jaundise the berryes are very effectuall against all venome and poyson of venemous creatures and the stings of Waspes and Bees as also against the pestilence or other infectious diseases and therefore is put into sundry Treakles for that purpose they likewise procure womens courses and if seven of the berries be taken by a woman in sore travell of child birth it will cause a speedy delivery and expell the after birth also and therefore women with child that have not gone out their time must take heed of taking any lest they procure an aborsement or delivery before their time they wonderfully helpe all cold and rheumaticke distillations from the braine to the eyes lungs or other parts and being made into an electuary with honey they helpe the consumption old coughes shortnesse of breath and thin rheumes they likewise helpe the Meagrome and mightily expell winde and provoke urine and helpe the Ventofities of the mother and kill the wormes the leaves worke also the like effects and boyled in fish broth give a fine rellish both to meaâ—e and broth and helpeth to warme the stomacke and to cause digestion without feare of casting which taken by themselves they oftentimes provoke a bathe of the decoction of the leaves and berries is singular good both for women to sit in that are troubled with the mother or the diseases thereof or with the stoppings of their courses or for the diseases of the bladder paines in the bowells by winde and stoppings of urine a decoction likewise of equall parts of Bay berries Cuminseede Hyssope Origanum and Euphorbium with some hony and the head bathed therewith doth wonderfully helpe destillations and rheumes and setleth the pallate of the mouth into its place the oyle which is made of the berries is very comfortable in all cold griefes of the joynts nerves arteries stomacke belly or wombe and helpeth palsies convulsions crampes aches tremblings and numnesse in any part wearinesse also and paines that come by sore travelling in wet weather or foule wayes all griefes and paines likewise proceeding from winde either in the head stomacke backe
thicke middle rib running through the middle all the length of them and being reddish about the edges which are sharpe like the Iris leaves abiding alwayes greene from among the leaves at the heads come forth long footestalkes of about a footes length branched forth into other lesser stalkes bearing at certaine spaces divers fruites or berryes in clusters for the flowers have not beene observed each of them like unto a small Cherry of a sowrish or tart taste and of a yellowish colour when they are ripe with a stone within them very like a Cherry stone and a like kernell also but here is no shew of any Dragon here in to be seene as Monardus fableth and others that from him have set it forth which sheweth how necessary it is to have judicious and conscionable men to be the first relators of strange or unknowne things out of this tree being slit or bored commeth forth a thicke not cleare as Matthiolus saith darke red gumme or Rossin which hardneth quickely and will melt at the fire and flame being cast therein yet somewhat dryly being bruised it sheweth a very orient red crimson or bloody colour yet is very hardly mixed with any liquour eyther water or oyle the wood is very hard and firme and hardly admitteth to bee cut but the younger branches are more tender What if Master Hamonds flesh tree growing in Magadascar set forth in his Paradox yeelding liquor like blood may not prove to be this tree if the tendernesse of the wood cutting as he saith like flesh either hinder not the identity or be not an hyperbole The Place and Time This tree groweth in the Islands both of Madera and the Canaries and in Brassill also as I am given to understand where it groweth vast but Clusius saith that he found it in the Orchard belonging to the Monastery of our Lady of grace in Spaine planted among some Ollive trees on a small hill the Time is not expressed This is so tender that although it hath sprung with us from the stones that were set yet it would scarse endure to the end of Summer but perished with the first cold nights The Names It is most probable that neither Dioscorides nor any of the ancient Greeke or Latine Authours had any knowledge of this tree or could give any description thereof but of the gum or Rossin onely yet neither knew whether it came from herbe or tree or was a minerall of the earth but called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greeke and thereafter Cimnabaris in Latine Dioscorides saith that it was so scarse to be had that the Painters could not get sufficient for their workes but yet saith some called it Sanguis draconis so ancient is the name and by which onely the moderne Writers are led to thinke that the gumme of this tree continuing the name to this day the rest of this declaration agreeing likewise thereunto is the right Cinnabaris of Dioscorides but Pliny in his 33. Booke and 7. Chapter for the elder world hath fabled no lesse then Monardus from his Bishop of Carthage in this as is aforesaid and set it downe for a truth that Cinnabaris is no other thing but the blood of a Dragon or Serpent crusht to death by the weight of the dying Elephant killed by him and that both their bloods mingled togethers was the Sanguis draconis that the Painters used and was also used in medicines Iulius Solinus also affirmeth the same thing but assuredly the true cause of the name hereof was the bloody colour that the gum gave however they coloured the truth from others knowledge by the name of a Dragon The Vertues There is no part of this tree put to any use in Physicke with any that I know but the gum onely yet no doubt in the naturall places or where it groweth both barke and fruite might be applyed for such like diseases as the gumme is put unto which is very astringent serving to restraine the fluxe of blood or humours from any parts both in man and woman as laskes the menstrues whites and the gonorrhea it is also said to helpe the strangury and stoppings of the urine to fasten loose teeth and is very availeable for the gummes are spongy or with loose flesh it is good also to stay the watering of the eyes and to helpe those places that are burnt with fire The Goldsmiths and Glasiers use it much in their workes the one for an enamell and to set a foile under their pretious stones for their greater luster and the other by fire to strike a crimson colour into glasse for Windowes or the like I doe not know that Painters can bring it to be a fit colour to be used in their workes CHAP. XCII Cedrus magna Conifera Libani The great Cedar of Libanus THe rest of the Arbores resinifferae those trees that beare Rossins are to follow which are these that beare Cones being the great Cedar the Pine tree and all the sorts thereof both tame and wild the Pitch tree the Firre tree the Larch tree the Cypresse and the Arbor vitae or tree of life and first of the great Cedar This great Cedar groweth up with a great thicke upright body taller then any other tree whatsoever stored with branches on all sides but so ordered that the lower branches spread largest and still upward they grow smaller up to the toppe representing the forme of a Pyramid or Sugar loafe to them that view it a farre of the greater and lowest branches with the body are somewhat rugged and full of chappes but that of the upper branches is very Cedrus magna Conaea Libani The great Cedar of Libaijus smooth and of an ash colour and being rubbed away with ones nailes appeareâ—h greene underneath and reddish under that the branches soâ—e say grow all upright but others straight out and as it were crosse wise strong but brittle and easie to be broken not to be bended and so placed about the body one above another that they yeeld an easie ascent up to the toppe as it were by steps the leaves grow many together out of a knot which are small long and narrow like unto those of the Larch tree somewhat hard but not sharpe at the end as they are and so set the longest being in the middle and the lesser on the sides that they represent the forme of a Painters pensell abiding alwayes greene on the trees being somewhat sweete in sent a little sowre bitter and astringent in taste it beareth Cones that grow upright like as the Firre doth not hanging downe as others doe slenderer then those of the Pitch tree and thicker greater and harder then those of the Firre somewhat yellowish and round at the end made of many scales with a short footestalke to it but so firmely set to the branch that without breaking away some of the wood of the branch it cannot be pulled away yet the scales opening of themselves will fall away leaving the stalke bare
thing that is kept in the ayre but never loseth it sent being kept close in a glasse or the like This is used inwardly and outwardly for divers good uses and although in some it causeth a kinde of loathing to the stomacke if it touch the tongue in drinking foure or five droppes in wine fasting yet it helpeeth the weakenesse of the stomacke the Tissicke and shortnesse of breath those that are pursie and the paines and difficulty in making water it moveth also womens courses and causeth a good colour and a sweete breath rectifieth the evill disposition of the liver openeth obstructions and preserveth youthfullnesse even in aged persons that have much used it and helpeth the barrennesse in women being outwardly used it is singular good to heale any fresh or greene wound and old ulcers and sores also it easeth paines in the head or necke and swelling in any part of the body the places thereof being annoynted therewith or a cloth wet therein and applyed it helpeth digestion strengtheneth the stomacke dissolveth winde easeth the spleene and the Sciatica the strangury and stone and discusseth all nodes and hardnesse of tumours being applyed warme to the places pained it warmeth and comforteth the sinewes and keepeth them from shrinking Balsamum album Another white and very cleere Balsame of a very sweet sent Monardus saith was brought likewise from the continent of America in some good quantity which was taken by incision from very great trees full of branches to the bottome whose outer barke is thicke like Corke under which there is a thinner from whence being slit the Balsamum droppeth forth the fruite hereof is very small even no bigger then a Pease and of a bitter taste inclosed in the end of a long thinne white cod wherewith the Indians doe smoake their heads against the paines thereof and rheumaticke destillations This liquour or Balsamum is accounted of much more vertue then the former one droppe being said to be of more force and effect then a great deale of the other There is another sort of precious Balsamum saith Monardus brought from Tolu Balsamum de Tolu which is a Province betweene Carthagena and Nombre de Dios and is gathered by incision from small low trees like unto low Pines full of branches but with the leaves of the Carob tree abiding greene alwayes the manured yeelding more liquour then the wild and is of great account with the Indians and Spaniards being taught by them it is of a gold red colour of a middle consistence and very clammy or glutinous of a sweete and pleasant taste not provoking vomit as other sorts of Balsamum will doe and of an excellent sent like unto a Lemmon whereof a droppe being let fall into the hand will smell egregiously through all the place Vnto this Monardus attributeth all the vertues of the true Arabian Balsame and much more then unto any of the former which because I would not make a double repetition of things I referre you unto them CHAP. X. Bdellium The Gumme called Bdellium ALthough Dioscorides hath given no description of the tree that beareth Bdellium nor any part thereof yet Pliny in his twelfth Booke and ninth Chapter setteth it downe that it is blacke or of a sad forme and of the bignesse of the white Ollive tree having leaves like an Oke and fruite like the wild Fig tree which how truely expressed resteth doubtfull for Lobel setteth forth a sticke of a thorny tree found among drugges with divers peeces of gumme cleaving to it most likely to be Bdellium or Myrrhe which are very like one unto another being both gathered from cruell thorny trees and Thevet saith that he saw in one wood of trees two thousand of these Bdellâ—â— fructâ—â— quibusdam acceptus quem potius cuci Theophrastâ— fructum opitatur sorts growing mixed together and that in such countries that are subject to snow yet the best Authours say that Arabia is the chiefe place where they grow which I thinke never saw or felt snow yet in Genesis 2. verse 12. we read that Bdellium and the Onix stone beside Gold grew in the Land of Havilah which is interpreted to be Eastward from Persia so that both the tree and the gum thereof are called by one name for the choyse wherof Dioscorides setteth downe that it should be cleere like glew fat on the inside easily melting or dissolving pure or cleane from drosse sweete in the burning like unto Vnguis odoratus for so I construe it although divers Authours doe diversly interpret those words some making Vnguis to be a note of white peeces in the gumme like the naile of ones hand but in my judgement the Vnguis is referred by Dioscorides to the sweete fumes of Bdellium in the burning whereunto it is like for having said that it was suffitu odoratum he would rather shew what sent it had namely of unguis odoratus and bitter in taste which are such noâ—es as we can hardly find in any that is brought to us for we find little bitternesse in any and lesse sweetnesse in the burning of it or Vnguis odoratus but strong and unpleasant rather neither is it soft or easie to be dissolved but hard and not to be dissolved equally but into graines or knots without warmth yet is ours of a sad browne colour somewhat like glew and much like unto Myrrhe so that they are often mistaken one for another but that Bdellium is harder dryer and browner but there are sundry sorts thereof as Matthiolus sheweth and Bauhinus in his note upon him that he hath seene for not onely in former times there was much â—dulterating of drogues by the Indians as it was supposed but most probable by the Arabians who were the chiefe Merchants for those places and for those things and I thinke the Iewes learned that art of them and have exceeded them in cunning The properties hereof are heating and mollefieth haâ—d tumours and the nodes of the necke throate or sinewes or of other parts any way applyed it provoketh urine and womens courses and breaketh the stone it is good for the cough and for those that are bitten or stung by Serpents it helpeth to discusse the windinesse of the spleene and the paines of the sides it is good also for those that are burstâ—â— and have a rupture it mollefieth the hardnesse of the mother and dryeth up the moistnesse thereof and draweth forth the dead birth CHAP. XI Behen album ruâ—rum White and red Ben. THe ancient Authours have beene both very briefe in declaring these two sorts of Drogues and are also not aâ— one among themselves what the true Ben album rubrum should be for Actuarius and Myrepsus maâ—â— the Herâ—â—â—â—llis to be Ben how then can any of our Moderne Writers find out the true Ben of the Ancients yet divers have appropriated sundry herbes unto them but they have all come farre short thereof not onely in the thing but especially in the properties Clusius
is either utterly barren and fruitelesse or beareth such fruite as is onely faire without and dust within and the aire noysome and pestilent by the thicke infectious vapours arising from it and is neither moved by the wind nor will suffer any thing to sinke therein but will swimme on the toppe and is not onely of a salt but bitter taste which will corrupt any thing rather then preserve it as salt Sea water will There are other sorts of Bitumen in the World as Historians report as in Cuba and sundry Fountaines neere the sea shore casting it forth as blacke as Pitch Another sort is in a Province of Peru where the place is voyd of tree or plant and giveth a fat liquid Bitumen in this manner Turfes of the earth being laid on hurdles the liquour dropping from them by being set in the Sunne is kept to heate and comfort any place affected with cold humours and tumours cureth wounds and is used for those griefes whereunto Caranha and Tacamahaca serve it is of a strong smell and of a blackish red colour The Inhabitants about this Lake gather this Bitumen or Pitch being an oyle or liquid substance on the water and hardned by the aire and spend it chiefly in pitching their Ships but medicinally it discusseth tumours and swellings and mollefyeth the hardnesse of them and keepeth them from inflammations and is of singular good use for the rising of the mother and for the falling sickenesse to be burnt and the fumes thereof which are strong smelled unto it bringeth downe womens courses taken in Wine with a little Castoreum it helpeth the biting of Serpents the paines of the sides and the hippes and dissolveth congealed blood in the stomacke and body Petroleum quasi petrae oleum or oyle of Peter is a thinne reddish liquour thinner than oyle of Ollives and almost as thin as water and is accounted to be a liquid Bitumen and thought to be the Naphtha of Dioscorides by Matthiolus because it is so apt and easie to take fire even by the ayre thereof and is gotten in sundry places of Italy distilling of it selfe out of a Mine in the Earth and in Hungary also in a certaine place where issuing forth in a well together with the water the owner of the place thought to have the chinkes stopped up with morter which could not be done without light the workeman therefore taking a close lanthorne with a light in it went about it and being gone downe into the well to stoppe it very suddainely the Peter oyle taking fire flew round about the sides of the Well and with a hideous noyse and smoke like the cracke of a peece of great Ordinance shot of it not onely cast forth the Workeman dead but blew up the cover of the Well into the aire and set on fire also some bottles of the oyle that stood by the Well and many persons that stood thereby were scorched with the flame This oyle of Peter is a speciall ingredient to make wilde fire and is of a very hot and piersing sent and quality and therefore is used for cold aches crampes and goutes and to heale any greene wound or cut suddainely a little thereof being put into the oyle of Saint Iohns wort and used CHAP. XIV Blatta Byzantia sive Vnguis odoratus The sweete Indian sea fish shels THis Indian shell of some sea fish hath beene the subject of some controversie among the learned for Fuchsius would make the Onyche or Dioscorides and the Blatta Byzantia or Vnguis odoratus to be differing things and then againe he would make the Blatta Byzantia to be a bone in the mouth or fore part of the nose of the shell fish Purpura or purple Periwinkle and this he doth twise expresse in his Annotations on Nichotaus Myrepsus in the composition of Aurea Alexandrina and in Diamargariton into both which compositions the Blatta Byzantia are to be put but Matthiolus contesteth against this his opinion and saith that these sweete shells called Conchula Indica or Vnguis odoratus are taken by Serapio and Avicen and the latter Greeke writers to be no other thing then the Blatta Byzantia And againe that never any Writer accounted that bone in the nose of the fish Purpura to be sweete or numbered among other sweete things but that the ashes of their shells being burned was drying and served to clense the teeth and to restraine the excressences in the flesh to clense ulcers and to bring them to skinning but on the contrary side the Arabians have alwayes used the Blattae Byzantiae because they were of an astringent quality of thin parts did participate of a kind of sweetnes Blatta Byzantia sive unguis odoratus The sweete Indian Sea fish shell and is good in the diseases and weakenes of the stomacke the ill disposition of the Liver the fainting of the heart and the rising of the mother in women and as Dioscorides saith is good also for the falling sicknesse to burne them under their noses that the fumes may ease their fits and that none of these qualities were ever attributed to the purple Periwinckle shell Dioscorides writeth that the best come from the red sea and are white and fat that is will easily burne but such did I never see and that those that come from Babylon are blacke but the fumes of both are like unto Castoreum which argues those not to be right that are in our shops although some doe differ from others in the sise as is expressed in the table Yet Matthiolus setteth forth in his Commentaries on Dioscorides a certaine small long hollow shell almost like a tooth which I rather take to be the Dentali of the ancients for Vnguis odoratus being likely such as were used in his time which I have here expressed in the same table with those sorts that our Drugists impose on us being of two sorts of broad and somwhat hollow brown shels the one smooth and the other rugged and the one smaller then the other CHAP. XV. Bolus Armenius Bolarmoniacke THe severall sorts of Bole or Bolarmoniacke that are to be seene at sundry times with us doe testifie that we scarce know which to accept for the right for Galen saith it is of a pale colour and Pliny making three sorts red and lesse red and a middle sort sheweth that both red and pale were so called and used alike and most of the sorts that we have have the notes and markes of the true that is it is a firme or close earth heavy without gravell or stone and for the most part wholly of one colour without discoloured parts which doth shew that not onely that Bolus Armenius which some call Orientalis but many other of the finer sorts found in other places not onely as a mine of it selfe but in the mines chiefly of iron and some in those both of gold silver and copper may safely be used for some of the same purposes but because they all or most of them doe
it Camfire doth coole the heate of the liver and backe and all hot inflammations and distempers of heate in any place of the body easing the paines in the head and restraining fluxes either of blood out of the head and nostrills being applyed to the forehead with the juyce of Houseleeke or with Plantaine water and some Nettle seed or the fluxe of sperme in man or woman using it to the reines or privy parts and extinguisheth Venery or the lust of the body It is a preserver from putrefaction and therefore is put into divers compositions and antidotes to resist venome poysons and infection of the plague or other diseases it is good in wounds and ulcers to restraine the heate and is of much use with women that desire to preserve their beauty by adding a luster to the skinne CHAP. XIX Caranha The Gumme Caranha CAranha Carauna or Caragna is a gumme brought from the West Indies whose tree is not described by any that have written of it but is a soft kind of Gum wrapped up in leaves that one peece should not sticke unto another for it is very cleaving and is of a darke or muddy greenish colour having somewhat a sharpe piersing sent but there is another sort as Monardus saith that is as cleere as Christall which I never saw It is a most especiall and speedy helpe when Tacamahaca could not as Monardus saith be had for all cold aches and paines in the nerves and joynts and the swellings and paines therin the defluxions also of humours on them or on the eyes or on any other part to be laid on the temples or behind the eares it is also used as well as Tacamahaca for the toothach to be laid on the temples like Masticke CHAP. XX. Cardamomum Cardamomes THere hath beene formerly much controversie concerning Cardamomes whether we have either that of the Grecians or those of the Arabians some supposing we have neither and that the Cardamomes we daily use agree with neither of all their descriptions Theophrastus Dioscorides and Galen among the auncient Greekes and Pliny among the Latines mentioning but one sort and the Arabians two Melignette sive Cardamomum maximum et Grana Paradisi Ginny graines Cardamomum minus vulgare The ordinary lesser sorts of Cardamomes Cardamomum majus vulgare The greater sort of Cardamomes Cardamomum medium minimum The two smallest sorts of Cardamomes a greater and a lesser but Fuchsius and Ruellius thought the Capsicum or Siliquastrum our red Indian Pepper in long horned huskes was the Arabians Cardaemomum minus which Matthiolus disproveth as improbable yea impossible the difference both in forme and property so farre disabling it and some supposing the Melegueta or grana Paradisi which we call usually graines or Ginney graines to be the Grecians Cardamomum and the Monkes that commented upon Mesues tooke the said Melegueta to be the lesser Gardamomes of Serapio all which and many other opinions may now be buryed and we better resolved that Dioscorides his Cardamomum not onely agreeth with Galens whereof divers made a doubt because Dioscorides maketh his to be sharpe in taste and fierce in sent piersing the senses and Galen pleasant and not so sharpe or hot as Cresses for Galen no doubt understood the same of Dioscorides when in a receipt that he had from Pamphilus 7 de comp med secund locoâ— c. 3. he appointeth Cardamomum delibratum Cardamomes that were huâ—ked to be taken as also in secundâ— antidot Zeno casteth away the huskes and in the Theriaca of Damocrates in verse Cardamomes in huskes are named and Dioscorides mentioneth not any huskes or other forme thereof because iâ— was so familiarly knowne in his time but that it was not easie to be broken which the huske being tough doe declare 〈◊〉 but it also agreeth with those we use in our shoppes and with that which Pliny mentioneth who aâ— I said in the Chapter of Amomum saith Cardamomum 〈◊〉 like thereunto that is to Amomum both in name and growth but that the seed is longer meaning the huske with the seed in it as it is used to be taken by him and others in many things And that of Dioscorides agreeing with that we use in our shops cannot be any other also then that of the Arabians usually brought to all these Christian parts from the East Indies as Garcias confesseth and especially the lesser which as Garcias saith is the better although as he saith they be both of one kinde differing in bignesse the bigger sort being somewhat longer and rounder and the small shorter and not so great but as it were three square Now as concerning Garcias his opinion that the Arabians Sacolaa quibir and ceguer Cardamomum majus minus was not knowne to the ancient Grecians or Latines assuredly he was mistaken therein for the notes and markes of Dioscorides his Cardamomum doe in all things agree both with ours in use brought from India and that of Pliny as I said before so that now seeing both Greekes Arabians and Latines are thus reconciled together there needeth not for any further doubt hereof to use our Cardamomes in any of their receiptâ— but the Melegueta or Grâ—â—a Parâ—disi which is in forme like to a Figge and full of reddish seed although it be good and safe spice to be used yet can it not be the Cardamomum majus as divers have formerly taken it and to this day is so supposed by many but as Garcias saith it may be the Combasbogue of Avicen 〈◊〉 greater and lesser Cardamomes differ not in kind but in greatnesse the one from the other and is called as Garcias saith by the Merchants of Malavar Etrimelli by them of Zeilan Ensal in both which places it groweth plentifully as Garcias saith in Bâ—ngala and Surrat Hil and of some Elachi but generally of the common people Dore in all those places The Vertues whereof are these it is hot and dry in the third degree it breaketh the stone provoketh urine when it is stopped or passeth with paine it resisteth poyson and the sting of the Scorpion or other venemous creatures and killeth the birth if they be perfumed therewith it is good against the falling sicknesse the cough the broad wormes and the torments or griping paines in the guts or bowels and expelleth winde powerfully both from the stomacke and entralls easeth those that by falls or beatings are bruised and broken those that have loose and weake sinewes and the paine of the Sciatica or hip gout and used with vinegar it is good against scabbes it is used in many of our compositions cordialls Antidotes and others the Indians as Garcias saith put this to the composition of their Betro leaves which they continually chew in their mouthes CHAP. XXI Caryophylli Cloves ALthough Cloves and Nutmegs and some other spices and drogues were not knowne to Dioscorides Galâ—â— and the other auncient Greekes for Serapio in citing Galens authority for Cloves is either false or mistaken for Paulus Aegiâ—â—ta a
later Greeke writer doth not mention it neither yet doe the Latines or Pliny in his time for his Caryophyllon or Garyophyllon lib. 12. c. 7. is a round graine like Pepper as is shewed before with the Amomum but greater and more brittle and was taken by some in these dayes to be Amomum and by others Carpobalsamum yet were they knowne to the later Greekes by meanes of the Arabian Authours who have brought a more ample and exact knowledge of the Indian commodities and of many other things then were formerly knowne so that now what by the Portugals travels the Dutch and ours by sea unto those parts the tree hath beene well observed to be great and tall covered with an ash-coloured barke the younger branches being more white having leaves growing by couples one against another somewhat long and narrow like unto the Bay-tree that beareth narrow leaves with a middle rib and sundry veines running there through each of them standing on a long footestalke the ends of the branches are divided into many small browne sprigs whereon grow the flowers on the toppes of the Cloves themselves which are white at the first with their sprigges greene afterward and lastly reddish before they be beaten off from the tree and being dryed before they be put up grow blackish as we see them having foure small toppes at the heads of them and a small round head in the middle of them the flower it selfe standing betweene those consisteth of foure small leaves like unto a Cherry blossome but of an excellent blew colour 〈◊〉 it is confidently reported with three white veines in every leafe and divers purplish threds in the middle of a more dainty fine sent then the Clove it selfe which is a small slender fruite almost like a small nayâ—e and 〈◊〉 called Clavus by many and from thence the Dutch call them Naegelen being of a hot quickâ— and sharpe taste which are first ripe and gathered but those that doe abide longer on the trees doe grow somewhat thicker and greater and are not oâ— halfe the others goodnesse being called by most Fusses yet some call the stalkes of the Cloves Fustes and grow of their owne falling and are not grafted Hereout likewise commeth a certaine darke red gum and are found usually put together These grow chiefly in the Maluccâ— Islands where they gather them twise every yeare that is in Iune and December the leafe barke and wood being nothing so hot in taste as the Clove they grow also in Amboyâ—â— where they grow well and beare plentifully being there Caryophyllorum affigies spuâ—â—a A false figure of the Clove tree Caryophyllorum tâ—â—â—â—lis geâ—â—ina affigie A branch of the Clove tree with the fruite truely expressed planted by the Dutch in other places of the Indies more scarsely and lesse fruitefull then there which are called generally by the Indians Calefur and by those of the Maluccas and in some other places Chanqâ—â— The properties of Cloves are many and excellent being hot and dry in the third degree yet some say the second and of much use both in meate and medicine comforting the head and the heart and strengthening the liver the stomacke and all the inward parts that want heate helping digestion to breake winde and to provoke urine The oyle chymically drawne is much used for the tooth-ache and to stop hollow aking teeth as also to be put into perfumes for gloves leather and the like the Cloves themselves for their excellent sent serving as a speciall part in all sweet powthers sweet waters perfuming pots c. Garcias saith that the Portugall women distill the Cloves while they are fresh which make a most sweet and delicate water no lesse usefull for sent then profitable 〈◊〉 all the passions of the heart the weakenesse of the stomacke c. and with the pouther of Cloves applyed to 〈◊〉 forehead helpe the head ach comming of cold as also by eating them procure a sweet breath Soâ—â— as he saith procure sweating to those that have the French disease by giving Cloves Nutmegs Mace long and blacke â—â—â—per but this hath no use with us Christophorus a Costa saith that they binde the belly and sharpen the eye sight clensing them and taking away filmes or clouds that darken it if their water be dropped into them and that foure drammes of the pouther of Cloves taken in milke will procure and stirre up venery or bodily lust CHAP. XXII China radix officinarum The roote China THe roote called China is like to the roote of a great reed some flattish others round nor smooth but bunched or knotty reddish for the most part on the outside and whitish or sometimes a little reddish on the inside the best is solid or firme and somewhat weighty fresh and not worme eaten and without any taste but as it were drying it groweth up with many prickely branches of a reasonable great bignesse like unto Sarsa parilla or the prickely Bindeweed winding it selfe about trees and hath divers leaves growing on them like unto broad Plantaine leaves the rootes grow sometimes many together and may be eaten while they are fresh and so the Indians doe with their meate as we doe Carâ—ets or Turneps it not onely groweth in China but in Malabar Cochin Cranganâ—â— Taâ—â—r and other places there and is called Laâ—patan by the Chineses and Chophchina by the Arabians and Persians The properties whereof are many and of great use with us in divers cases it was at the first knowledge thereof to the Christians and others that dwelt in India chiefly used for dyet drinkes in Lua Vexerea the French disease but since it is found profitable in agues whether quotidian or intermittant or pestilentiall and also hectickes and consumptions China rozix officinarum The true China roote Pseudochina Bastard China to rectifie the evill disposition of the liver the inveterate paines in the head and stomacke and strengtheneth it and to dry up the defluxions of rheumes to helpe the jaundise and the burstings in children or others by drying up the humour which is the cause thereof it helpeth also the palsie and all the other diseases of the joynts and bladder the gout and Sciatica and the nodes also and ulcers of the yard and is good in all cold and melancholicke griefes some take it to be a great incendiary to lust the manner of taking it is divers for some boyle it being sliced thinne and steeped for a good while in water onely and some adde wine thereto and some boyle it in the broth with a chicken tyed up in a linnen cloath and to take from a quarter to halfe an ounce or more at a time as the quantity of drinke or broth you will provide or as the party can beare We have had a kinde of roote brought us from the West Indies in forme somewhat like unto this true but harder redder Pseudochina and more knotty which some called bastard China and was not used by any that I know Monardus saith that the
cause it well to be accepted as the substitute thereof All these sorts as they are made divers by the writers of them are said by them to be effectuall against poysons of all sorts and venomes of virulent creatures and we have found them of much use and profit in the pestilence and other contagious diseases as also to warme a cold stomacke and to expell winde mervailously to represse vomitings to dry up and consume catarrhes and defluxions of rheume to dissolve the Impostumes of the matrix and to stay the loosenesse of the belly and is also very powerfull to stay or disperse the unsavoury belchings of those spirits that Garlicke Onions c. or wine have caused CHAP. LVI Zingiber Gingër GIngër as Garcias saith groweth in all the Coutries of the East Indies either planted by the roote or sowne or seed the roote saith an English rare traveller spreadeth in the ground and hath leaves like wild Garlicke which they cut every fornight to put into their brothes and meates It groweth saith he with leaves like the water Flagge or Corne Flagge and not like the Reed thus saith he and so saith Monardus also but Acosta saith that it hath leaves very like to the greater sorts of Millet Iobs teares and with a thicke stalke like Asphodill leaves thereon close to the stalke so that it seemeth to be small Reed and Lobel Zingiber forte Brasilie use nigra roâ—e Brassill Ginger with a blacke roote Zingiberis â—iliquâ— semen The seed pod and seed of Ginger Zingiber orientale florescens The figure of the orientall Ginger with the flower setteth forth the figure of Ginger as it grew he saith with Adrian Meuleneere in the Prince Mauritius a Nassan his Garden having sundry stalkes about a foote high shewing like unto a Reed new sprung up and condemneth that old figure as false that was formerly accounted the right which had leaves of the fashion of an Iris or Flowerdeluce which contrarieâ—ies are as some may thinke hardly to be reconciled yet I will endeavour to make both these assertions to be true although they seeme so much to vary thus We have two sorts of Ginger brought unto us plainely differing in the substance and colour of the rootes but not in the forme saving that the one is more slender which is the blacker then the white for the one is white within and cutteth soft which is the Ginger wholly in use for meates and medicines with us the other is hard and almost wooddy and cutteth blackish within so that it is very likely that the one sort which I take to be the East Indie sort with the soft white roote hath Flagge-like leaves and hath beene seene in flower in Germany as Emanuel Zwerts hath set out the figure and I here unto you and the seed vessell also with the seed not much unlike that of an Iris with this title Zinziber flore albo folio Iridis The other roote that is more slender and blacke yet of the same fashion may be that which beareth Reed-like leaves as Lobel hath set it forth rather to be preserved then for ordinary use with us and which as I thinke is the Mechinum of Lobel or Zingiber fuscum whereof he giveth the figure of a more excellent sort that was joynted like Doronicum parts and therefore accounted by Pona to be the true Doronicum as is shewed before in this worke in the Chapter of Doronicum and brought from Brassill So that the matter being thus reconciled and each of them sorted as they should be let me shew you that both sorts are preserved while they are fresh and greene and the blacke sort as well also after it hath beene dryed by new steeping it and boyling to make it tender but I cannot finde that the white sort will so well serve to be preserved after it hath beene dryed but is the best being preserved greene such as the China and Bengala Ginger is The properties of Ginger is to warme a cold stomacke and to helpe disgestion to dissolve wind both there and in the bowels while it is fresh it is eaten in fallets with the Indians the roote being sliced and put among the herbes and helpeth to mollefie and loosen the belly by the moisture therein which then abateth much of the heate which being dry it hath and helpeth to bind the belly The preserved Ginger is most acceptable and comfortable to the stomacke and is availeable to all the purposes aforesaid CHAP. LVII Zibettum Civet CIvet called Algalia by the Indians and the beast from whence it is taken Algali or Aligali is well knowne now adayes to all to be an excrementitious moisture or condensate sweate of a certaine beast somewhat like unto a great Cat and thereon called a Civet Cat gathered from a peculiar place or purse in that Cat prepared by nature for that speciall purpose and is taken forth with small spoones of Ivory or wood and that by strong hand the beast being held very close and hard for feare of biting while they are in taking it forth for it is very fell and fierce being moved and angered and then most when they are about that businesse I shall not need to describe the beast unto you which Clusius hath done in figure very exactly in his Curae Posteriores and is so frequent not onely in our Land with a great many that keepe them for the profit or use of the Civet but in divers other Countries in Europe The Civet is used as a perfume or sweete sent generally either by it selfe or mixed with other sweete things it is used also to comfort the head and braine and to helpe the deafenesse and dissinesse in the eares being put thereinto wrapped in a little blacke wooll it is much commended against the suffocations or rising of the mother to be used in a plaister or but put on the middle of the plaister and laid on the Navell or some put into the Navell I know none that ever used it inwardly but in outward remedies it is said that women are much delighted therewith and helping sundry of their defects Having thus shewed you here most of the chiefest Drugges in our Apothecaries shops that come to us from forraigne parts that are not formerly expressed in this Worke in severall places Let me now lastly to close up this whole Worke shew you other strange and rare Plants both Herbes and Trees with their Gummes Seeds Rootes and Fruites c. growing in the East and West Indies and those parts neere unto them as they have beene observed by those that in their travells saw them and brought many of them into Europe that wee may contemplate the wonderfull Workes of God that hath stored those Countries with such differing Herbes and Trees from ours and yet it is very certaine that there is much more unknowne then is already made knowne unto us I will first beginne with Herbes and the parts thereof as seedes and rootes whether medicinable or admirable and then with
shippes and other smaller vessells to get some prey out of them but as it is said will never make assault against any of the boats made of this tree or reede nor against them in it Of the roote of this tree being burned is made Tahaxir that is the Spodium of the ancient Authors as Avicen thought and o Gerardus Cremonensis and Bellunensis doe alwayes translate the word Tabaxir but Gracias sheweth that it is a very false interpretation there being but one Spodium of the Greekes which is our Lapis tutiâ— used by them onely in outward medecines for Tabaxir being a Persian word signifieth nothing else but a milky juice or liquor growne thicke and hereby the Arabians do still call that concrete or hardened liquor that groweth betweene the joynts of this Reede or Tree but the Natives of Sacar Mambu that is Sugar of Mambu but is not found in all places as Garcias saith but in Bisnagar Batecala and some part of Malabar chiefly and is seene to bee of sundry colours as white like Starch which is the best yet is it found sometimes of an ash colour or blackish which yet is not to be misliked for so it is to be taken out of the Canes and hath beene in former times esteemed of the value of silver and yet holdeth a great price even with the Indians c. there had neede therefore of great caution of using Spodium as it is taken in the Arabians medecines which are for the most part all inward which is farre differing from Tabaxir as you here see and of all is taken for the fittest Antispodium and those other of Oxe bones burned and the like to be utterly cast away The tree hath leaves saith Garcias like an Olive but longer the properties whereof are effectuall eyther in outward or inward heates hot chollerick Agues and fluxes that come of choller to coole temper and binde them And now that I have shewed you all the Physicall herbes let me descend to the trees and prepose them that have delightfull and pleasant fruits that you may take therein some pleasure to mix with the profitable or admirable that shall follow and the first that I will propound as Garcias saith is the chiefest and choysest fruite in all the Indies CHAP. XCII Mangas The Indian hony Plumme Mangas The Indian Hony Plumme There is another kinde found growing in some places but much more rarely whose fruite hath no stone within it else not differing There is likewise a wild kind hereof called Mangas bravas Mangas sive ossiculo whose tree is lesser then the manured with shorter and thicker leaves also and the fruite is of a pale greene colour having a thicke skinne and but little pulpe therein of the bignesse of a Quince and with a hard gristly stone within it yet give they store of milke they grow generally through all Malabar If any one eate of these fruites although it be but a little it is so present a poyson that they dye instantly and herewith the Indians usually destroy one another some putting oyle thereto which maketh it the more speedy in operation but howsoever it is taken it doth so quickely dispatch them out of this life that there hath not beene hitherto found a remedy against it Boyes there doe usually in sport throw these fruites one at another as in Spaine they use to doe with greene Orrenges CHAP. XCIII Genipat The twining American Peach THis tree is of two sorts the fruite of the one is edible and greater then the other which is not to be eaten bearing leaves like the Wallnut tree and fruite at the end of the branches being both for colour and bignesse like unto Peaches one set upon another in a wonderfull manner that which is not edible hath a certaine cleare blewish juyce therein like unto Indico wherewith the Savages dye or colour their bodyes when they have any solemne meeting of friends or goe to the slaughter of their enemies and they with this ornament thinke themselves as finely decked as we in our bravest silkes CHAP. XCIV Guanabanus Oviedi The Indian Scaly Muske Melon Guanabanus Oviedi The Indian Scaly Muske Melon Oviedus mentioneth another fruit called Anon which he compareth with the Guanabanus saying that not onely the tree but the fruite are very like but exceedeth it in goodnesse being of a firmer substance Thevet maketh mention of one very like hereunto called by those of the Iland of Zipanga where it groweth Chivey which in the Syriack tongue signifyeth a Figge The branch being ripe is yellow and very pleasant in taste like unto Manna melting in ones mouth containing seede within them like unto those of Cwcombers The leafe is very round and greene CHAP. XCV Guanabanus Scaligeri The Ethiopian sowre Gourde THe Ethiopian sowre Gourde groweth in Mozambique and other parts of Ethiopia on a faire great tree having large fresh greene leaves larger Guanabanus Scaligeri The Ethiopian sowre Gourde then Bay leaves comming neerest to those of the Pomecitron tree the flowers are of a pale whitish colour and the fruite as great as a Melon but longer then it and ending in a round point whose rinde is hard and thicke with sundry ribs thereon and covered with a greenish freeze or cotton the pulpe or meate within is whitish while it is fresh but somewhat reddish being dry and then is very brittle also that it may be easily rubbed into pouther having diverse large seed running through it of the forme of a thicke short kidney or the seedes of Anagyris the great beane Trefoile fastened therein with small fibres to the hollow middle part which pulpe as well dry as greene is of a pleasant sharpe taste yet more tart or sowre when it is dry then greene this is used in the extremities of the hot weather to coole and quench thirst and is effectuall also in all putride and pestilentiall seavers the pulpe or juyce thereof taken with Sugar or the dryed pouther put into some Plantaine water or the decoction or infusion thereof both for the aforesaid causes and to stay the spitting of blood or any other hot fluxe of blood or humours in man or woman this is very like to be the Abavo that Honorius Bellus writeth of in his fourth and fifth Epistles to Clusius and the Bahobab of Alpinus Ficus Nigritarum Somewhat like hereunto is that fruite which Thevet calleth Ficus Nigritarum the leaves of the tree are larger then any of those former sortes and hath some divisions therein very like unto Figge leaves the fruite is sometimes two foote long and thicke according to the proportion Higuero Oviedi Not much unlike also is the Higuero of Oviedus which he describeth in his Indian History The tree saith he is as great as a Mulberry and the fruite sometimes like unto a long Gourde sometimes unto a round of which round sort the Indians make themselves dishes platters and sundry other vessels The timber whereof is strong Higuero
beaten and mixed with barly meale and applyed to hot inflammations asswageth them and helpeth places that are burnt either by fire or water cureth fistulous ulcers being layde thereupon and easeth the paines of the goute being beaten and boyled with the tallow of a bull or goate and layd warme thereon the juyce of the leaves snuffed up into the nostrills purgeth the tunicles of the braine the juyce of the berries boyled with a little honey and dropped into the eares easeth the paines of them the decoction of the berries in wine being drunke provoketh urine the powder of the seedes first prepared in vinegar and then taken in wine halfe a dramme at a time for certaine dayes together is a meanes to abate and consume the fat flesh of a corpulent body and keepe it leane the berries so prepared and as much white tartar and a few aniseede put to them a dramme of this powder given in wine cureth the dropsie humour by purging very gently the dry flowers are often used in the decoctions of glisters to expell winde and ease the chollicke for they lose their purging quality which they have being greene and retaine an attenuating and digesting propertie being dryed the distilled water of the flowers is of much use to cleare the skinne from sunne burning freckles morphew or the like and as Matthiolus saith both the forepart and hinderpart of the head being bathed therewith it taketh away all manner of the headach that commeth of a cold cause The Vinegar made of flowers of the Elder by maceration and insolation is much more used in France than any where else and is grate full to the stomacke and of great power and effect to quicken the appetite and helpeth to cut grosse or tough flegme in the chest A Syrupus acetosus made hereof would worke much better than the ordinary for these purposes The leaves boyled and layd hot upon any hot and painefull apostumes especially in the more remote and sinewie parts doth both coole the heate and inflammation of them and ease the paines The distilled water of the inner barke of the tree or of the roote is very powerfull to purge the watery humors of the dropsie or timpanie taking it fasting and two houres before supper Matthiolus giveth the receipt of a medecine to helpe any burning by fire or water which is made in this manner take saith he one pound of the inner barke of the Elder bruise it or cut it small and put it into two pound of fine sallet oyle or oyle Olive that hath beene first washed oftentimes with the distilled water of Elder flowers let them boyle gently a good while together and afterwards straine forth the oyle pressing it very hard set this oyle on the fire againe and put thereto foure ounces of the juyce of the young branches and leaves of the Elder tree and as much new wax let them boyle to the consumption of the juyce after which being taken from the fire put presently thereunto two ounces of liquid Vernish such as Ioyners use to vernish their bedsteeds cupboords tables c. and afterwards of Olibanum in fine powder foure ounces and the whites of two egges being first well beaten by themselves all these being well stirred and mixed together put it up into a cleane pot and keepe it for to use when occasion serveth The young buddes and leaves of the Elder and as much of the rootes of Plantaine beaten together and boyled in old Hogs grease this being laid warme upon the place pained with the gout doth give present ease thereto The leaves also burned and the pouder of them put up into the nostrills staieth the bleeding being once or twise used If you shall put some of the fresh flowers of Elders into a bagge letting it hang in a vessell of wine when it is new made and beginneth to boyle I thinke the like may be tried with a vessell of ale or beere new tunned up and set to worke together the bagge being a little pressed every evening for a seaven night together giveth to the wine a very good rellish and a smell like Muscadine and will doe little lesse to ale or beere The leaves of Elders boyled tender and applied warme to the fundament easeth the paines of the piles if they be once or twice renued growing cold The foule inflamed or old ulcers and sores of the legges being often washed with the water of the leaves or of the flowers distilled in the middle of the moneth of May doth heale them in a short space The distilled water of the flowers taketh away the heate and inflammation of the eyes and helpeth them when they are bloud shotten The hands being washed morning and evening with the same water of the flowers doth much helpe and ease them that have the Palsie in them and cannot keepe them from shaking The pith in the middle of the Elder stalkes being dried and put into the cavernous holes of Fistulous ulcers that are ready to close openeth and dilateth the orifices whereby injections may be used and other remedies applied for the cure of them It is said that if you gently strike a horse that cannot stale with a sticke of this Elder and binde some of the leaves to his belly it shall make him stale quickly The Mushromes of the Elder called Iewes eares are of much use being dried to be boyled with Ale or Milke with Columbine leaves for sore throates and with a little Pepper and Pellitory of Spaine in powder to put up the uvula or pallet of the mouth when it is fallen downe Matthiolus saith that the dried Iewes eares steeped in Rosewater and applied to the temples and forehead doe ease the paines of the head or headach The Mountaine or red berried Elder hath the properties that the common Elder hath but weaker to all purposes the berries hereof are taken to be cold and to procure sleepe but the frequent use of it is hurtfull It is said that if a branch of this Elder be put into the trench that a moale hath made it will either drive them forth or kill them in their trench The Marsh Elder is of the like purging qualitie with the common especially the berries or the juyce of them Mens and birds doe feede upon them willingly in the Winter The Wallwort or Danewort is more forceable or powerfull than the Elder in all the diseases and for all the purposes whereunto it is applied but more especially wherein the Elder is little or nothing prevalent the Wallwort serveth to these uses The young and tender branches and leaves thereof taken with wine helpeth those that are troubled with the stone and gravell and laid upon the testicles that are swollen and hard helpeth them quickly the juice of the roote of Wallwort applied to the throate healeth the Quinsie or Kings evill the fundament likewise is stayed from falling downe if the juyce thereof be put therein the same also put up with a little wooll into the mother