¶ The Names.
Lauander Spike is called in Latine 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Spica: in Spanish, Spigo, and Languda. The first is the male, and the second the se∣male. It is thought of some to be that sweet herbe Casia, whereof Virgil maketh mention in the second Eclog of his Bucolicks:
Tum Casia at que alijs intexens suavibus 〈◊〉〈◊〉,
Mollia luteola pingit vacinia Caltha.
And then shee'l Spike and such sweet herbs infold
And paint the Iacinth with the Marygold.
And likewise in the fourth of his Geor∣gicks, where hee intreateth of choosing of seats and places for Bees, and for the ordering thereof, he saith thus:
Haec circum Casiae virides, & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 late
Serpilla, & grauiter spirantis copia Thymbrae
Floreat; &c. — —, — — —
About them let fresh Lauander and store
Of wild Time with strong Sauorie to floure.
Yet there is another Casia called in shops Casia Lignea, as also Casia nigra, which is named Casia 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and another a small shrubbie plant extant among the shrubs or hedge bushes, which some thinke to be the Casia Poetica, mentioned in the precedent verses.