¶ The Names.
They are commonly called Primula veris, because they are the first among those plants that doe floure in the Spring, or because they do floure with the first. They are also named Arthriticae, and Herbae paralysis, for they are thought to be good against the paines of the ioynts and sinewes. They are called in Italian, Brache cuculi: in English, Petty Mulleins, or Palsie-worts: of most, Cow∣slips.
The greater sort, called for the most part Oxlips or Paigles, are named of diuers Herba S. Petri. In English, Oxlip, and Paigle.
The common Primrose is vsually called Primula veris: most Herbarists do refer the Primroses to the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, called in Latine Verbascula, or Petty Mulleins; but seeing the leaues be neither wool∣lie nor round, they are hardly drawn vnto them: for Phlomides are described by leaues, as Pliny hath interpreted it, Hirsutis & Rotundis, Hairy and round; which Pliny, lib. 25. cap. 10. translateth thus: Sunt & Phlomides duae Hirsutae, rotundis folijs, 〈◊〉〈◊〉: which is as much to say in English as, There be also two pretty Mulleins, hairy, round leafed, low, or short. ‡ Fabius Columna refers these to the Alisma of Dioscor and calls the Cowslip Alisma pratorum: and the Primrose, Alisma syluarum. ‡