¶ The Names.
† We are not ignorant that in low Germany, this hath seemed to some of the best learned to be the true Britannica, and namely to those next the Ocean in Friesland and Holland. The Ger∣manes call it 〈◊〉〈◊〉: that is, Cochlearia or Spoonwort, by reason of the compassed roundnes and hollownes of the leaues, like a spoone; and haue thought it to be Plinie's Britannica, because they finde it in the same place growing, and endued with the same qualities. Which excellent plant Caesars soldiers (when they remooued their camps beyond the Rhene) found to preuaile (as the Frisians had taught it them) against that plague and hurtfull disease of the teeth, gums, and sinewes, called the Scuruie, being a depriuation of all good bloud and moisture, in the whole bo∣die, called Scorbutum; in English, the Scuruie, and Skyrby, a disease happening at the sea among Fishermen, and fresh-water souldiers, and such as delight to sit still without labour and exercise of their bodies; and especially aboue the rest of the causes, when they make not cleane their bis∣ket bread from the floure or mealines that is vpon the same, which doth spoile many. But sith this agrees not with Plinies description, and that there be many other water plants; as Nasturtium, Sium, Cardamine, and such others, like in taste, and not vnlike in proportion and vertues, which are reme∣dies against the diseases aforesaid, there can be no certaine argument drawne therefrom to prooue it to be Britannica. For the leaues at their first comming forth are somewhat long like Pyrola or Adders tongue, soone after somewhat thicker, and hollow like a nauell, after the manner of Sun-dew, but in greatnesse like Soldanella, in the compasse somewhat cornered, in fashion some∣what like a spoone: the floures white, and in shape like the Cuckow floures: the seed reddish, like the seed of Thlaspi, which is not to be seen in Britannica, which is rather holden to be Bistort or garden Patience, than Scuruie grasse. In English it is called Spoonewort, Scruby grasse, and Scuruie grasse.