¶ The Names.
This herbe is called in Latin Sisarum, and al∣so in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; the Latines do likewise call it Siser; and diuers of the later Herbarists, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or Seruilla. the Germans name it 〈◊〉〈◊〉: Tragus, Zam garren Rapunkelen: in the Low-countries, Suycker wortelen, that is to say, Sugar roots, and oftentimes 〈◊〉〈◊〉: in Spanish, Cherinia: in Italian, Sisaro: in French, Cheruy: in English, Skirret and Skirwort. And this is that Siser or Skirret which Tiberius the Emperour commanded to be conueied vnto him from Gelduba a castle about the riuer of Rhene, as Pliny reporteth in lib. 19. cap: 5. The Skirret is a medicinable herb, and is the same that the fore∣said Emperour did so much commend, insomuch that he desired the same to be brought vnto him euery yeare out of Germanie. It is not, as diuers suppose, Serapio his Secacul, of which he hath writ∣ten in his 89. chapter: for Secacul is described by the leafe of Iulben, that is to say, of the pease, as Matthiolus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 expoundeth it: and it bringeth forth a black fruit of the bignesse of a Cich∣pease, full of moisture, and of a sweet taste, which is called Granum Culcul: But the Skirret hath not the lease of the pease, neither doth it bring forth fruit like to the Ciche pease; whereupon it is ma∣nifest, that the Skirret doth very much differ from Serapio his Secacul: so farre is it from beeing the same.