¶ The Description.
1 THere hath not long since beene found out a goodly bulbous rooted plant, and termed Satyrion, which was supposed to be the true Satyrion of Dioscorides, after that it was cherished, and the vertues thereof found out by the studious searchers of nature. Little difference hath bin found betwixt that plant of Dioscorides and this Dens caninus, except in the colour, which (as you know) doth commonly vary according to the diuersitie of places where they grow, as it falleth out in Squilla, Onions, and the other kindes of bulbous plants. It hath most commonly two leaues, very seldome three; which leafe in shape is very like to Allium Vrsinum, or Ramsons, though farre lesse. The leaues turne downe to the groundward; the stalke is tender and flexible like to Cyclamen, or Sow-bread, about an handfull high, bare and without leaues to the root. The proportion of the floure is like that of Saffron or the Lilly floure, full of streames of a purplish white colour. The root is bigge, and like vnto a date, with some fibres growing from it: vnto the said root is a small flat halfe round bulbe adioyning, like vnto Gladiolus, or Corn-flag.
2 The second kinde is farre greater and larger than the first, in bulbe, stalke, leaues, floure, and cod. It yeeldeth two leaues for the most part, which do close one within another, and at the first they doe hide the floure (for so long as it brings not out his floure) it seemes to haue but one leafe like the Tulipa's, and like the Lillies, though shorter, and for the most part broader; wherefore I haue placed it and his kindes next vnto the Lillies, before the kinds of Orchis or stones. The leaues which it beareth are spotted with many great spots of a darke purple colour, and narrow below, butby little and little toward the top wax broad, and after that grow to be sharpe pointed, in form somewhat neere Ramsons, but thicker and more oleous. When the leaues be wide opened the floure sheweth it selfe vpon his long weake naked stalke, bowing toward the earth-ward, which floure consisteth of six very long leaues of a sine delayed purple colour, which with the heat of the Sunne openeth it selfe, and bendeth his leaues backe againe after the manner of the Cyclamen floure, within which there are six purple chiues, and a white three forked stile or pestell. This floure is of no pleasant smell, but commendable for the beauty: when the floure is faded, there succeedeth a three square huske or head, wherein are the seeds, which are very like them of Leucoi∣um butbosum praecox; but longer, slenderer, and of a yellow colour. The root is long, thicker below than aboue, set with many white fibres, waxing very tender in the vpper part, hauing one or more off-sets, or young shoots, from which the stalke ariseth out of the ground (as hath been said) brin∣ging forth two leaues, and not three, or onely one, saue when it will not floure.