¶ The Names.
† The Grecians call this shrub 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: Agnos (i.) 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Chaste: because, saith Pliny in his 24. booke, 9. Chapter, the Athenian Matrons in their feast called Thesmophoria dedicated to the ho∣nour of Ceres, desirous to keepe themselues chaste, doe lay the leaues in their beds vnder them: the Latines name it Vitex, and of diuers it is termed, as wee finde among the bastard and counterfeit names, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: in Latine, Salix marina, or Salix Amerina, and Piper Agreste: in high Dutch, Schaff∣mulle, 〈◊〉〈◊〉: in low Dutch, and also of the Apothecaries, Agnus Castus: the Italians, Vitice, Agno Casto: in Spanish, Gattile casto: in English, Chaste tree, Hempe tree, and of diuers Agnus castus.
‡ The name Agnus Castus comes by confounding the Greeke name Agnos with Castus, the Latine interpretation thereof. ‡