¶ The Names.
Tragus calleth dwarfe Cistus in the high Dutch tongue, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉: in Latine, Gratia Dei; but there is another herbe called also of the later Herbarists Gratia Dei, which is Gratiola: Valerius Cordus nameth it Helianthemum, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 flos, or Sunne floure: of Clusius, Chamaecistus, or Dwarfe 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
Pliny writeth, that Helianthe groweth in the champion countrey Temiscyra in Pontus, and in the mountaines of Cilicia neere to the sea: and he saith further, that the wise men of those countries, and the kings of Persia do annoint their bodies herewith, boiled with Lions fat, a little Saffron, and wine of Dates, that they may seeme faire and beautiful; and therefore haue they called it 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or the beautie of the Sun: Matthiolus saith, that Helianthemum is taken of some to be Panaces Chironium, or Chirons All-heale: but it is nothing likely, as we haue said.