The French academie Fully discoursed and finished in foure bookes. 1. Institution of manners and callings of all estates. 2. Concerning the soule and body of man. 3. A notable description of the whole world, &c. 4. Christian philosophie, instructing the true and onely meanes to eternall life. This fourth part neuer before published in English. All written by the first author, Peter de la Primaudaye, Esquire, Lord of Barre, Chauncellour, and Steward of the French Kings house.

The ninth daies worke. (Book 9)

Of fruites, and of the fertilitie of the earth, and the causes thereof: and of herbes, trees and plants. Chap. 65.

ASER.

AS the holy Scripture teacheth vs, that before God did cre∣ate the beasts of the earth, he commanded the earth that was discouered and free from the waters, to bud forth the * 1.1 bud of the herb, that seedeth seed, the fruitfull tree which beareth fruit according to his kind, which hath his seed in it selfe vpon the earth (and it was so:) we must likewise vn∣derstand, that this commandement had not such vertue for that time onely, but that it endureth, and remaineth al∣waies, and so till the consummation of the world. For all herbes, trees, and plants that the earth euer hath borne, doth beare, or shall beare, euen from the creation of the same vntill the end of the world, doe proceede from the first ordinance and eternall word of the soue∣raigne, by which all things haue been created. Wherfore Moses, to the end that men might acknowledge this diuine power, which maketh the earth, so fruitfull, doth expressely tell vs, that God gaue this fertility before there was any sunne, moone, or starre in heauen. For hee saith, that these goodly lights were created the fourth day: but that the production of herbs, trees and plants was on the third day. Thereby then must we learne, that although the sunne, moone and starres, besides the husbandry of man, doe serue by the ordinance * 1.2 of God for to make the earth fertile; yet for all that it can bring forth no fruite, if the word and blessing of the Almightie doe not gine it power. For as it was fertile before it was ai∣ded by the starres, euen so is it now in regarde of the tillage and husbandry of man. For there was neither man nor beast when it budded foorth the fruites, which God commaun∣ded it to beare: yea so much wanteth it to become fruitfull by the trauell of man, that to the contrary it hath lost very much fertility, and a great part thereof hath become barren * 1.3 since his first creation, because of his sinne. For in lieu of the blessing that God at first gaue thereunto. hee saide afterwards to the man that it should bee cursed for his sake, and that it should bring forth thornes and thistles, and that bee should eate the fruites thereof in sor∣row. For these causes then we must alwaies haue respect to the power of the word, & of the blessing of God, by which all things haue bin created in their order (as we haue heretofore declared) & man last of al, as the master piece of the Lords work. Who hauing determined in his eternall counsell to create man after his owne image and likenesse (to the ende that he might in this visible world represent his Creator, as in his most liuely semblance) was not onely pleased to build him his lodging first (to wit the whole world) but would also re∣plenish and furnish it euery where, to the end that nothing might bee found emptie. But that which is herein to bee chiefly considered, is, that this diuine prouidence hauing giuen * 1.4 essence to all corporall creatures, hath therewithall prouided necessarie meanes to keepe and preserue them all in their natures. For minding to giue life to birds, to fishes, and to the beastes of the earth, he had already prepared their foode, before hee had created them, and had ordeined the earth as the mother and the nurse of all creatures which are engen∣dred and which dwell and are conuersant therein; and in the waters and aire also, for the birds and fishes. Moreouer, as all bodies are composed of fire, of aire, of earth, and of water; so the Lords will was, that all these elements should conioyne together, and receiue aide one from another; to the preseruation of liuing creatures by vertue of the alliance and agreement, which is not only betwixt the said elements, but also betwixt them and the celestiall spheres, as we haue already discoursed. For considering that they be the principles of things hauing life, they cannot liue, nor bee naturally conferued but by meane of the very same elements, from which they take their originall. And therefore the prouidence

of God causeth, that they doe all accord together, to nourish and mainetaine those crea∣tures, which he hath made and created.

But seeing that we are in talke of the fertilitie of the Earth, ordayned by God to that end * 1.5 according as we haue declared, who is it that can number the diuers kinds of herbs, trees, and of all sorts of plants which it produceth? And who is it that can but onely name and finde proper denominations agreable vnto them? And if wee should speake of their diuer∣sities and varieties in rootes, in stalkes, in stockes, in tops, in branches, in boughes, in leaues, in shapes, in flowers, in colours, in seedes, in fruites, in tastes, in smels, and in sauours: who would not maruell very much? Wee see how the Lord speaking onely of the Lilly of the field, doth testifie, that Salomon in all his royaltie was not adorned like on of those: and therefore hee bringeth it as a testimony of his goodnesse in reproch of those, which take care for their clothing, as if they distrusted in the prouidence of God, and as * 1.6 if they supposed him not able enough to apparell them; or at least, that hee had not so much care of men, as hee hath of the herbs and flowers of the field, which hee endueth and decketh with so gallant clothing, and with so many sorts of excellent faire colours, and yet they neither spinne nor haue weauers, nor clothiers, nor drapers, nor other worke∣folks and tradesmen to deale for them. Yea, how maruellous is the conseruation and mul∣tiplication of all plants, by meanes of their owne seeds, syons and fruits, according as the Creator did at first constitute? For that I may first speake of the smaller sort, who could be∣leeue, if experience did not assure vs, that of one little graine of mustard seede should grow a great and high plant, like a little shrub, in such sort that the birds of heauen might make their nests therein. Then let vs consider, how corne, pulse, and all other sorts of seeds do * 1.7 bud, grow, and multiply. But who himselfe would iudge, that out of one little kernell of a nut or filberd, there could grow so great trees, and so much wood as should beare innume∣rable leaues and buds, and so much fruite each yeere, euery one according to his own kind, and that for long time. Would not all this seeme incredible, if wee were not ascertained by continuall experience, and a sure course in Nature? And if God doth shewe himselfe most wonderfull in all these things, in regard of the herbes, trees and plants: what shall we say, if we proceede of the consideration of their natures, properties and vertues; and of the com∣modities, remedies & profits, which men receiue thereby? This surely is the most principall point. For how admirable is it, that by the meanes of herbes, trees, and other plants, which haue no soule, that may minister life vnto them, with motion and sense, and which may * 1.8 much lesse participate with any reason; God doth not onely preserue the life of men, and of other creatures (a thing to bee woondred at) but doth also thereby giue them strength, vi∣gour, and force? For what are these herbs and plants, which produce all sorts of corne, pulse, and other graine, of which men make foode, and are thereby nourished? What is the vine and other fruit-trees? Who could thinke, if he saw it not with his eies that there is nei∣ther man, nor beast, that could be nourished and preserue his life, but by such meanes? For how can that thing either giue, or preserue and mainetaine life, which hath no life in it selfe! And yet if wee will consider of the medicines and remedies, which men finde in herbes and plants onely, besides those which they may take from other creatures, who can in truth either declare or write, I will not say all of them, but onely the thousandth part? For although the most excellent phisitions haue alwaies trauelled in this part of their art, which is commonly called the knowledge of Symples; yet how farre off are they from the full and perfect theoricke of them? For what a number of herbes and rootes be there which are vnknowne, and haue yet no name? And how many are there which are taken one for another, and wherein the most skilfull Phisitions and Herbarists are oftentimes deceiued? And yet this little which we know, should mooue vs to thinke vpon the great & ineffable bountie of God towards men, & vpon the fatherly care which he hath of vs all. For though that by our sinne we haue merited death both of body and soule, which death our sinne hath not onely gained, but also many diuers and strange sorts of diseases and corporall in∣firmities most grieuous and terrible; yea sometimes hideous and horrible, which are like butchers and slaughterers to put them to death: yet the charitie and loue of our God is al∣waies so great towards mankinde, that he giueth vs as many and more; yea sundry medi∣cines for one onely malidie. But wee will be instructed more amply by you (AMANA.) in this matter, wee may acknowledge therein very cleere testimonies of the prouidence of God.

Of the vertue that herbes, and other fruits of the earth haue in phisicke and in food; and of the true vse of them, Chapter 66.

AMANA.

It is daily seene, that by the meanes of some small herbes, which growe in a garden or in a mountaine, or in some other desert place, and which also are oftentimes troden vnderfoots, without any account made of them; many are com∣monly deliuered, not onely from great paines and grieuous maladies, but euen from death it selfe, which otherwise it seemeth would most certainely approch. Wherein certes, wee haue a goodly subiect to consider, that if God giueth this vertue to creatures of small estimantion in comparison of many other, and by the meanes of them hee ministreth so great helpe, and doth so much good to man; what must be the power and bounty of that great soueraigne phisition, which maketh them preuaile, and giues them power to heale? For wee must vnderstand, that it is not the herbes, nor other drugs and preparatiues, nor yet the apothecaries and phisitions, who make and compound them, that are the true cause of restored health to the sicke: but God alone, who doth not only giue the remedies, but also knowledge to men for to vse them, and to bee skilfull how to apply them to their owne necessities, for which hee hath created them. Herein then we must acknowledge two * 1.9 great benefits, that the most good and most puissant God hath conferred vpon vs. The first is that hee hath giuen vs medicines fit and necessarie for healing. The other is the know∣ledge of them, and the theoricke how to apply them to their conuenient purpose and v∣sage. And one of these benefits without the other, would indeede but little auaile vs. For as the worke man cannot worke without such stuffe as is requisite for him to make his worke of, as also it would bee vnprofitable if no man should employ it, and put it to vse: for the same cause, God, which taketh care of the least of his creatures, hath imprinted in the nature of brute beastes, that want vnderstanding and reason, a certaine knowledge of things that are fit for them, not onely for their nourishment, but also for remedies in their diseases, so that they neede no other phisitions but themselues onely.

But in this discourse we are to note, what iudgement we must make of so great vertue, as wee finde in all herbes and drugs, and by like reason, that we must consider thereof in * 1.10 the propertie of corne, bread, wine, and of all meates and drinks, which are as ordinary and continuall medicines for the preseruation of life. For if that which is diminished and con∣sumed daily in vs, were not also repaired and destroyed daily by our meate and drinke; wee should fal suddenly into grieuous maladies, & finally into death. For asmuch then as it plea∣seth God to preserue the life, which he hath giuen vs and to mantaine vs in health and good disposition; hee giueth power to that, which wee eate and drinke, to doe this. But if it should please him to doe otherwise, there were neither meate nor drinke, which could giue any sustenance and conuenient nourishment vnto vs, but would rather conuert with∣in vs, into deadly poyson, to take away our life, and hasten our death, euen as God doth oftentimes to that effect vse the aire, without which we could no more liue, then without meate and drinke. And therefore when it pleaseth God that we shall liue in health & long time, he maketh the aire good and holsome for vs, otherwise it pleaseth him to strike vs with sickenesse, and to hasten our death, hee chaungeth it, as if it were impoisoned, as wee doe very often finde in diuers contagious sicknesses, and chiefly in time of pestilence. The like also is in victuals, drinkes, and medicines. And therefore the Lord menaceth his people by Esay, declaring vnto them, that he will take away the staffe of bread and of water: that is to say, the substance and naturall vertue, which he hath giuen them to nourish, which is the force that sustaineth them, who are sustained, as a staffe that sustaineth him that is weake: and as man cannot liue, except hee haue both meate and drinke sufficient; the Prophet hath comprised vnder bread and water, all things needfull for nourishment, and for the life of man. It is therefore in these things, that God saith, hee will take away all power, as also Moses doth amply declare in the blessings and curses of the Lawe. For let vs * 1.11 also note, that when God will punish men by dearth and famine, he doth not onely make the earth barren (as hee threatneth) but also curseth that little fruit, which it beareth, yea in such sort, that it still diminisheth, and hath not the accustomed vertue and power to nou∣rish. And therefore, when the corne is sowne it yeeldeth not so many eares, nor so many

graines in the field, as is expected, & as it seemeth that it should yeeld. And afterwards when it is gathered and reaped, and that it commeth to be threshed, there is yet found lesse corne then was esteemed to bee. And being laide vp in the barne, it consumeth more then of custome: carried to the mill, it yeeldes lesse meale then is looked for: yea beeing knea∣den into dough it seemeth to diminish: briefly it seemeth to faile being made in paste, brought to the ouen, and so baked, when it is in the binne, and vpon the table, yea in the hand, in the mouth, in the stomacke, and in the bellie. For it doth not satisfie, nou∣rish, and sustaine so well as in time of plentie and abundance, but they which feede ther∣of, are alwaies hungrie and famished. And so we may thinke of all other meates and drinks euen as wee finde the contrarie in the blessing of God, when through it hee giueth fruit∣fulnesse to the earth, and abundance of all things, according to the testimonie of his word. As then wee are admonished to haue recourse to him onely, to demaund our daily bread, and all other things needefull for this life: so must wee also doe, when we are visited by sicknesse. For hee is the soueraigne and onely phisition, who can of himselfe heale vs. It is hee that striketh, and giueth remedy, which bringeth to the graue, and draweth out againe; which killeth, and raiseth vp againe. And therefore hee saith to his people by Moses, [If thou wilt diligently harken vnto the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt doe * 1.12 that which is right in his sight, and will giue eare vnto his commandements, and keep all his ordinances; then will I put none of these diseases vpon thee, which I brought vpon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.] But although that God alone can doe all thinges, without the aide of any creature, and without the vse of any meanes, except hee please: yet doth hee choose out such meanes as he pleaseth, to performe his workes towards vs, and to distribute his gifts, and that chiefly for two causes. The first is, for that * 1.13 hee will not haue his creatures remaine idle, but serue to his glory, and for the good and health of men, considering that they were created to that end. And the other cause is, that it pleaseth him to accommodate himselfe to our infirmitie, which is such, as wee do not thinke that hee is neere vnto vs, nor that hee can nor will do it, except we haue alwaies some visible signes. Although then it is as easie for him to nourish vs without victuals and without drinke, as with them; and to heale vs without Phisitions and medicines and drugs, as hee doth by meanes of them: neuerthelesse it is his pleasure to doe it by such aides, and hee will haue vs subiect to this order. And therefore let vs thinke, that to despise the means which he giueth for the mainetenance of this life, is as much to despise his com∣mandements, like mockers and rebels. And if wee be such, wee may not hope for any suc∣cours from him, seeing wee reiect the remedies, by which hee will giue them vnto vs. But wee must alwaies come to this point, that although we cannot receiue the benefits which it pleaseth the most good God to communicate vnto vs, except by the meanes ordained by his prouidence thereto; yet neuethelesse wee must not attribute this power to any of his creatures, but to him onely, and must giue him the whole glory; considering that hee taketh them not for any neede which hee hath, or that without them hee could not performe his works, but only for the aide and supportation of our infirmitie. And therefore let vs beleeue, that bread, wine, and all other meates, drinkes, drugs and medicines, haue not any vertue of themselues, but so much onely, as God infuseth into them, as as he think∣eth * 1.14 needfull for our good, by such instruments as hee ordaineth thereto. Wherefore men runne in vaine to such aides, and especially to Phisitions and Apothecaries to bee succou∣red by them, except God the soueraigne Phisition do put his hand thereto, and except he blesse their art and labour. Experience certainely doth yeelde vs daily testimonies thereof. For it oftentimes happeneth that in stead of helping, Phisitions doe hurt; and in stead of healing, doe kill. And how so? Because there are very fewe which addresse themselues to the true & Almighty Phisition, and who haue not more confidence in mor∣tall men then in the immortal God, as king Asa is accused in the Scripture, and punished for this fault with death. True it is that some faile, in that which they make none account of the ordinary meanes established by God, despising both Phisitions and all the medicines of their arte, which is almost as much, as to refuse the vsage of those benefits which God gi∣ueth vs at neede. But the greatest number consisteth of those, who not onely haue re∣course chiefly to the professors of this science, and put all their confidence in them, but will moreouer in stead of vsing the aduise and assistance of good and learned Phisitions, ad∣dresse themselues more willingly to Empiricks, and such as are ignorant, or else are Sor∣cerers, Enchanters, Witches, and worshippers of Diuels. If then our desire bee, not to

faile with the one nor the other, we must rest in that way which is shewed vs in Ecclesiasti∣cus, to wit, [Honour the Phisition with that honour that is due vnto him, because of thy necessitie: for the Lord hath created him. For of the most high commeth hea∣ling, * 1.15 and the Phisition shal receiue gifts of the king. The knowledge of the Phisition lifteth vp his head, and he shall be in admiration. The Lord hath created medicines of the earth, & he that is wise will not abhor them. Was not the water made sweete with wood, that men might know the vertue thereof? So hath hee giuen men knowledge, that he might be glo∣rified * 1.16 in his wondrous works.] Which is much to say, that as God hath sweetned the bitter∣nesse of the waters in the desart, by meanes of wood which he caused Moses to cast therein∣to; so likewise doth he manifest his power by the art of Phisicke, shewing marueilous effects thereby. And therefore the wise man doth adde [With medicines God healeth men, and taketh away their paines. Of such doth the apothecarie make a confection, and yet he can¦not finish his own work, for of the Lord commeth prosperitie and health ouer all the earth. [And finally he exhorteth the sicke to praie: saying,] My sonne faile not in thy sicknesse, but pray vnto the Lord, and hee will make thee whole: leaue off from sinne, and order thine hands aright, and clense thine heart from all wickednes. Then giue place to the physition for the Lord hath created him: let him not goe from thee, for thou hast need of him. The houer may come that their enterprises may haue good successe: for they also pray vnto the Lord, that he would prosper that, which is giuen for ease, and their phisicke for the pro∣longing of life.] Wherein namely this holy personage doth euidently declare, what is the vertue of phisitions, if they desire, that the Lord would blesse their works, without whose blessing they can neuer come to a prosperous end. Behold then what seemed good vnto me to note concerning the true vse of the great and excellent gifts, which God commu∣nicateth with vs for the mainetenance of mans life. And pursuing this subiect, let vs speake something more particularly concerning the diuersity and singularitie of diuers plants: the discourse whereof (ARAM) I commit to you.

Of the diuersitie of plants, and of their difference and naturall growth, and of their parts, and of the most excellent amongst them. Chapter 67.

ARAM.

THE learned teach, that there are fower kindes of plants, to wit, trees, shrubs, vnder shrubs and herbes. Now a tree is that, whose stock waxeth greene euery * 1.17 yeare, and therefore groweth to great height, as the peare-tree. The shrub called of Latines (Frutex) is that whose stocke remaineth for many yeares together, but it groweth not ve∣ry high (as the rose tree and the mirtle.) The vnder-shrub called (Subfrutex) resteth also vp∣on the stocke, but exceedeth not the height of herbes (as the broome.) And the herbe is that which hath neither stalke nor stock (as housleeke and sage:) or else hath a stocke, but so as it changeth euery yeere (as the fennell.) And yet a fift kind may bee added betweene the herbe and the shrub (as rue:) because that sometimes it groweth great like a shrub, and sometimes remaineth like other herbes, which is also vsuall to the cabbage. But generally all plants may attaine to great height by husbandry. Also amongst sallet herbs, specially those which are greene, doe oftentimes grow into shrubs, by the industry of man in winter time whereby it appeareth, that we must not take the true difference of plants, and of their kinds by their greatnes or growth: no more then in that the leaues of plants are not all of one bignesse, or because they alwaies stay vpon some, and fall off from others: or because they differ in colour, or else because one plant is barren, and another beareth fruit. But wee must take this difference in foure things, which are the vertue and propertie, the odour, the * 1.18 sauour, and the shape of the leaues, buddes, fruite, barke and rootes, and generally of the whole plant. Of which foure differences the principall is the faculty, vertue or pro∣pertie: for the vertue proceedeth from the forme, and the forme is that which distingui∣sheth the kindes. And therefore though the willow, and the Vitex (called Agnus castus) haue their leaues and brake alike, it should neuerthelesse be a manifest error to vse the one for the other. For the Vitex is hot and drie in the third degree (of which it hath this marke, that it driueth away ventosities, and flourisheth first amongst all trees:) but the willow is cold and moist flourishing very late, and causing ventosities. Now for the odour or sent, one may euidently know by them the temperature of plants. And therefore they which

are of one kinde, although the one growe in India, and the other in Scythia, yet doe they necessarily participate with the selfe same principall vertues. And for the sauour and figure, they are discerned by the taste and eie: wherein it is necessary to imploy much diligence and labour, to iudge well concerning the difference of plants. Those then which are a alike in forme, in power, in odour, and taste, may without doubt bee accounted of one selfe same kinde: For wee search out the names of them according to their vertues. VVhereupon ensueth, that they which haue one selfe same vertue, may bee comprised vnder one kinde, though the herbalist call them by sundry names, according to the pro∣portion of their figure.

Now some plants doe growe naturally in fieldes, and forrests, some in the sea, other in ri∣uers, others on the shore side, some in marishes, some amongst stones, sands, and grauell, some in pits, and so of others in such like places. For the place, in which they grow, or to which they are remooued (and the temperature of the aire) are much auailable to cause them growe, and fructifie. Through which occasion, there are higher trees, more flouri∣shing, * 1.19 fairer to behold, and more charged with leaues, and fruite, in some places, rather in other. Whereupon ensueth that such as loue mountaines (as the Cedar, Saple, Pine, the Turpentine tree, Box tree, I uniper tree, Beech, and the Plane tree) doe there grow high, and faire: as in the Plaines and low forrests, the Oke, the Beech, the Corcke tree, the Elme, the Maple, the Ash, the Hasell tree doe growe best. But neere to riuers and wa∣trie places, the Plane tree, the Alder, the white and blacke Poplar, the Tamariske, the Willow and the Reede doe spring at pleasure: though many of them doe grow in moun∣taines, vallies, plaines and forrests, but they prosper not there so well. This difference also is marked in herbes and shrubs. For some grow well in marshes, others in lakes and pooles, others on riuers sides, other prosper in watrish and muddie places, others againe not abiding them, doe growe in drie and stonie ground. Some spring indifferently both in moist and drie ground. And some require the fields, others vineyards, and others mea∣dowes. Some also loue the vallies, others hillocks, and others high mountaines. Some likewise prosper in priuate places, and grow neere to wals of townes and cities, and some grow in old ruines. But it is to be noted, that though each kinde of plants grow and pros∣per best in his proper ground, and doth loue very much his owne naturall situation; yet sometimes herbes are found indifferently in mountaines, billockes, valleies, fields and mea∣dowes. Likewise the industry and trauell of man doth bring to passe, that that which is strange, becommeth domesticall; yet not without some manifest difference betweene the pure naturall production. and that which is caused by arte. Moreouer the parts of plants are * 1.20 the roote, the stocke, the branches, the leaues, the fruit, the stalke, the tufts called (Vmbellae) the graines, the seedes, the flowers, the mossie downe, the wood, the barke, the sinewes, the inner pill, the vaines, the sap, the pith, the gum called (Lachryma) the knot, and many other small parcels, which the curious obserue therein: all which serue to distinguish trees and herbes one from another: which parts are somewhat answerable to the parts of liuing crea∣tures. For the roots seeme to agree with the bellie (as Theophrastus holdeth) or else with the mouth (as others maintaine, who referre the lower part of the stocke to the bellie) and the leaues haue some reference to the haire; the barke to the hide and skinne, the wood to the bones, the vaines to the vaines, the matrice to some entrailes, which cannot liue without the matrice, the flowers to egges, the seedes to seede, the branches and boughes to the ex∣treme parts of liuing creatures, and the fruite to the menstruous blood, wherein the seede is many times in closed. Moreouer the parts of parts are worthy of consideration, as those of the roote, whose middle part is as it were of wood, out of which the plant doth often∣times bud, and is therefore defended with greater strength. And therefore if this mid∣dle part bee taken out of garlicke, that which remaineth is not so sharpe, and of so strong sauour as before, and it seemeth likewise to be lesse full of iuice. Next, the second part is (the tinde or coate) which is verie small, and the third is the peele or huske: and the fourth is the inner-peele, which inuironeth the huske, which is not properly called so, be∣cause it is meant for that, which compasseth the seed of the fruit, and the fruit it selfe; and also because it containeth that which enuironeth the wood in the roote, instead of the seed. Whereby it appeareth, that they which cast away this part full of wood when they make * 1.21 their decoctions, do very ill considering that it is the most excellent of the rest, and of grea∣test force: for that which produceth the seede, that onely containeth the whole vertue thereof, because it alone hath life. That part then which is of wood, seemeth to bee the

chiefe and principall substance of the medicine: because that that thing only which liueth, produceth the seede, and in that part onely wherein it hath life. For although that in suc∣corie, and such like herbes, some leaues grow out of the barke: yet the herbe it selfe, and the seed doe proceede out of the wood. As the leaues then are in the stalke or slip; so is the barke in the wood: and both leaues and barke are therein for safegard thereof. In the lower part the iuice falleth into the roote: by the middle part the roote is nourished, and in the vp∣permost part it is conuerted into seed. Wherefore the vppermost part of the roote is best, and most different from the nature of earth. The flowers likewise haue their parts; for there is a kind of leafe in the flower which alwaies shineth, and is in all flouers, because it is made of a very fine substance. The buddes likewise wherein the flowers are contayned are parts of them; and the seede of which the flower springeth, as it is cause of the generation there∣of; so is it a part of the flower, and so is the stalke or foote, called (Pediculus) in which all these things are as it were planted and adioyned thereto. Let vs also note, that amongst * 1.22 trees the old are of more subtile qualitie then the other. And euery tree, which beareth leaues all the yeere long, is hot and drie (as the palme tree, the oliue tree, the cedar, the myrtle.) But this reason is not auailable in herbes: for houseleeke is of a grosse substance, and yet beareth leaues all winter. And indeede both in herbes and trees they which grow wilde abroad are better then the domesticall: and so are they which are odoriferous, much more then they which haue a badde sauour, and haue no sent at all, especially if they grow in mountaines: and therefore they are preferred by phisitions before the other. And wee must note, that most commonly the rootes smel better, and are sweeter then the other parts of the plant, except the flowers, which is so because the concoction is best done in the rootes. For all things, which haue the humour well boyled, smell best: for that humour is most subtile and close. For which cause, all flowers almost doe smell well. For by rea∣son that the humour which is in them is very subtile and little, it is the more easily conco∣cted therein: and therefore also it sooner perisheth. But this humour remayneth, and is pre∣serued * 1.23 in the rootes and in the stocke; for the subtile substance thereof being well conco∣cted, doth abide in the earthie substance, wherby wee learne why young folks haue swee∣ter breath then olde and distempered people. For children haue their humour verie subtile, and the small humour may bee very well concocted in young folkes, by the great heat which aboundeth in them. But want of heat hindreth it in olde folkes, and the qua∣litie of the humour is hurt in those that are distempered, and causeth that the decoction can∣not be performed. Now we haue stayed long enough in this discourse. But as wee haue di∣stinguished plants into fower principall kindes, let vs now speake of the nature and proper∣tie of the most especiall among them; to the end that according to our intention wee may not passe ouer any of the workes of God, without producing some testimonies, which may cause vs more and more to celebrate his diuine prouidence. Then (ACHITOB) begin you to entreate of trees.

Of trees, and especially of the Pine, the Fir tree, the Cypresse tree, and the Cedar. Chapter. 68

ACHITOB.

IT is doubtlesse, that the difference of trees of one kinde is chiefly caused by the diuersitie of regions. And therfore amongst those trees that are transpor∣ted * 1.24 from one place to another; some do beare fruit (as the Palmes at Genoa) some also beare, but vnperfectly (as the Pepper tree at Millaine.) There are some that can∣not grow, (as the wood of Aloes brought out of India into Italy.) And some beare per∣fect fruite, because they can agree with the aire, and with the soile as well of one coun∣trey as of another (as the Vines transported out of Spaine into India.) But aboue all, the calmenes of the aire, and the answerablenesse of the place are of great efficacy in the na∣turall propertie of trees, and do often cause them to beare great quantitie of fruite and blos∣somes, and are the cause that some are alwaies greene. And therefore about the Grand Cairo, in the Countrey of Elephants, the leaues doe neuer fall off the figge trees and vines: and in the Isles and other regions of the West Indies, discouered by the Spaniards, there is ne∣uer * 1.25 a tree, but is alwayes greene. And therefore there are diuers trees, both of one, and of diuers kindes also, higher, greener, and fairer to behold in one place then in another. For in hote and moist Countries all plants grow greater, fuller of iuice, and greener, if the pro∣per

nature of the plant doe not hinder: and in hote and drie places they are smaller and drier, and yet of no lesse vertue: But in moist and colde regions, the plants are weake and full of sappe. And they which are hot by nature, grow broad and high; but the colde are small. Now all trees, whereof we now particularly entreat, do by nature grow greatly for the most part, and flourish a very long time. As Iosephus recordeth, that Abrahams Oke did yet stand in his daies. And there were betwixt the destruction of Hierusalem and the death of Abraham, two thousand yeeres. And next to the oke, the palme, the beech, the oliue tree, the elme, and the pine tree do flourish longest.

Now will I proceede to a particular description of some trees, the most worthy to * 1.26 bee considered of: amongst which the Pine challengeth the first place: whereof there are two kindes: one is domesticall, and the other sauage. The domesticall kinde hath an infinite sort of branches vpon the very vppermost toppe of the stocke, which spread round about it, beeing very thicke of leaues, which are pointed in the end, and long; it beareth plenty of great and sound apples, wherein are certaine harde kernelles inclo∣sed, as blacke as soote, in which the fruite is found, beeing couered with a thinne yel∣low skinne, easie to gette off, by pilling it with your fingers. And this fruite is sweete and pleasant in taste, of a fatte and oylie substance. For the sauage or wilde one, there are many sorts of them. Some growe on mountaines, others on the sea coast. They of the mountaines are of three kindes. For there are some that bee highest of all the rest, which abound in the forrests of Bohemia, Silasia, Polonia, and other places, whereof the coun∣trey men make pitch. Which are euery whit like to the domesticall sort, sauing that their apples bee lesse: for they bee not much greater then those of Cypresse but they are a lit∣tle longer, and more sound, and husked like those of the domesticall Pine, beeing full of gumme, and of a sweet sent. The second kinde of these mountaine Pines are such as haue no stocke or trunke, but sproute their branches out of their roote close to the earth, running along the ground till they attaine to tenne or fifteene cubites length: they beare fruite like vnto the other, but of a bigger sise, and fuller of gumme: and are found in many places of Italy. Finally there are many other which are of goodly height, and yet not so high as those of the first kinde, neyther haue they the barke of their stockes yellow like the other pines: likewise their fruite is somewhat inclining towards redde, but more brit∣tle then all the rest. And the kernels of them are three square and crooked, and in taste somewhat like those of the garden pine: sauing that they leaue a certaine quicke sharpe∣nesse in the mouth (which is proper to all wilde trees) and they abound in the territory of Trent. And the gumme that proceedeth out of all these sorts of pines, is white and sweete. The sea pines are of two sorts, differing only in the greatnes and smalnesse of their fruite: and doe all of them produce white odoriferous gumme, which turneth into a thin liquor, whereof men blackepitch. Moreouer, as concerning the fruite of the pine in gene∣rall, it is most certaine, that therein are many great vertues and properties, and that * 1.27 it is very profitable for mans body. For it is a moderate temperature, but that it enclineth more towards heate. It ripeneth, it mollifieth, it resolueth, it fatneth, and it nourisheth well, it correcteth the humours, which are corruputed in the intrailes; neuerthelesse it is hard in digestion: and therefore to such as are colde of nature, the kernels are ministred with holy; and to such as are hot, with Sugar, to correct the strength of those kernels. They doe helpe (being often eaten) the paines of the sinewes, and are good for those that be troubled with the Sciatica, palsie, shaking, and numnesse of members. They clense the lungs and the corruption of them, purging out all clammie humours and rottenesse. They are profitable against the cough, and the corruption of the raines and bladder: wherefore they ease them much who pi••se but drop by drop, and feele their vrine burne. They fatten leane folkes, and being taken with the iuice of purflaine, they do helpe eruptions of the sto∣mack. Also the picked leaues of a greene pine being stamped & drunk with wine, do appease paines of the heart. But the patient must abstaine from all fat meats. Of the scales that couer the Pine aples being sod in very sharpe vineger, is made a singular perfume against the Dy∣senteria. * 1.28 And the water of those apples very greene, being distilled through a limbecke doth wash out the wrinckles of the face. Moreouer of the oldest Pines is pitch made, which is cal∣led Naual, by reason that it is very good to pitch Ships: which to doe men cut downe the Pines with an hatchet, which are become full of gummy iuice, and hewe them in pieces, as they doe other trees to make coales of. Whereupon let vs note, that they which inhabite mountaines say, that it is a maladie among pines, when not onely the heart thereof, but the

outward part of the stocke doth conuert into a gummy substance: which happeneth to them through great abundance of liquor, which causeth them to die, euen as too much fatte suffocateth liuing creatures. And out of this gummy wood is pitch, by won∣drous skill extracted, and the oyle and foot are separated, which haue diuers properties in medicines.

Let vs now speake of the Firre tree, which groweth vprightest of all the trees, and there∣fore is very fitte to employ in all workes: There are such high ones, that in Sweden some * 1.29 are seene of an hundred foote in length, and that of some which are straight and of a like thickenesse euery where without knottes, men may make worke of an hundred and tenne foote long. This tree beareth fruite of a spanne long, composed of certaine scales, beeing one compiled vpon another, vnder which the white seede is included, without any iuice in them. It produceth an exquisite liquor and gumme betwixt two barkes, which is called in vulgar Italian (Lagrimo) that is, the Teare of the Firre tree, and it runneth vnder the first barke; which being opened, lies like the matter of an old impostume. This gumme is liquid, of a very good smell, and some what sharpe in taste. It is very good for green wounds, not onely because it searcheth them, but also because it is mundificatiue and incarnatiue. Being assumed in drinke, it cleanseth the reines of grauell, & doth much asswage the paines of the gout, and of the Sciatica. It healeth maruailously well all wounds of the head, so that no other thing be applied therein.

The Cypresse is likwise rich in beauty and in properties: of which trees there are male * 1.30 and female: the female growes alwaies pointed towards the toppe, and the male hath his branches spread abroad. Each of them is a very high tree, straight, and bearing branches onely in the toppe thereof. And this tree is driest of all others, hauing the humour very fat, and well digested. And therefore it agreeth not with dung and excrements, and waxeth dry neere to waters. The wood thereof is odoriferous, and looseth not the sent by oldnes, neither is eaten with wormes, nor doth rotte through any fault: but the leaues of this tree beaten into powder, and strowed amongst apparell, or with the seede, do defend them that wormes cannot annoy them. It beareth fruite three times a yeere, which is hard and sound, containing the seed within. It casteth out of the stocke some gum, but very little like vnto Turpentine, and almost of the same nature. This tree is very common in Italy. But the right and naturall country thereof is the islle of Candy, for in what place soeuer the ground be there remoued and tilled, if nothing else be sowne therein, the Cypresse will presently spring vp of it selfe. The decoction of their nuttes made in strong vineger, asswageth the paine of the teeth, if the mouth be often washed therewith. So much doth the decoction of the leaues. Which nuts being stamped and drunke with old wine, appease the cough. They are very good and the leaues also, to search great wounds in tough bodies. Whereby it ap∣peareth, that this tree hath the vertue to dry vp, without much sharpnes and heate, as the taste doth testifie. For one shall taste therein very little sharpenes, much bitternes and more sowernesse.

The Cedar also is a tree that groweth very big, and beareth fruit almost like to that of the Cypresse tree, but a little bigger. There be some that beare no fruit although that they * 1.31 bud. And that which beareth fruit buddeth not, and the new fruit appeareth thereupon before the old is perfectly ripe. Out of this tree runneth an excellent white and liquide gum, which in time is by heate of the Sunne congealed into graines. In Syria, and especi∣ally in Mount Libanon the Cedars grow very high, and in great plenty, and are very like to Firre trees. Their branches from the bottome to the top, are almost spread and pla∣ced round about it, in fashion like the spokes of a wheele, and the highest are euermore shortest. Wherefore this tree a farre off seemeth to represent the figure of a Piramis. The heart or pith of the Cedar is very hard, sweete, and red: wherefore the ancients supposed that the wood could not weare, nor become worme eaten: but would endure for euer. So Salomon caused the holy temple of God in Ierusalem to be builded thereof: and the Pa∣gans made their statues of it, thinking it would endure as long as Marble or Brasse. Some say that the greatest which was euer seene, was hewed in Cypresse to make the gally of De∣metrius, which had a eleuen oares vpon a side. For it was one hundred and thirtie foot long, and as thicke as three men might fadome. There are also in many places of Greece, two kinds of small Cedars, which are like to the Iuniper tree. Now all Cedars are of nature hot and drie in the third degree: And the oile, which is made of their gum approacheth to the fourth degree, and is very subtile. Wherefore it doth easily and without paine rot soft and

delicate flesh: but in hard bodies it operateth with more time and difficulty. It drieth dead bodies, and preserueth them from putrifaction, by consuming the superfluous humours, without touching the sound parts: but in liuing bodies, the heat which consisteth in them, doth augment the forces of this oile, which causeth it to burne the tender flesh. Wherefore hauing such vertue, it is no maruell if it kill nits, lice, wormes, and vermine in the eares: and if being applied it killeth the child in the mothers womb, and being dead doth void it out, with many other effects which Phisitions attribute vnto it. But I commend to you ASER the sequele of our discourse concerning trees.

Of trees bearing Cinamon, Cassia, Frankincense, Myrrhe and cloues. Chap. 69.

ASER.

THe loue of ones natiue soile hath a maruellous power in all things: for nature produceth in some places such stubborne plants, that for any endeuour and paines which one may take with them, yet can they not be retained or kept but in their owne proper ground. Many great personages both in France and Italy haue taken paines to tame them, and cause them to grow in gardens, orchards, and other most pleasant places, as any in the world. But as rusticall mountainers despise the delights and gallantnes of cities, and esteeme not of ciuility and honesty of manners, not being able to liue any where at ease and pleasure but in their owne cottages: so it seemeth that many plants, which are brought amongst vs, and husbanded with great care and labour, de∣spising the sweetnesse of the aire, ths beauty of gardens, the pleasant watring of fountaines, and the goodly company of infinite herbes and trees already made familiar, hauing at last retired into their owne deserts and wildernesses, and into the place of their origi∣nall. Now of the number of these is the Cinamon, which though that whiles Rome flourished (as many authours record) it was planted in diuers places, yet now is there not any of it to be found throughout Italy, nay in all Europe. But Asia aboundeth therwith in many places, yea so doth Arabia felix in diuers parts, & much more India, especially in one island called Monorique, the mountaines whereof beare plenty of Cinamon trees.

This tree is some what like to our Laurell tree, hauing many branches, at the ende * 1.32 whereof, it beareth very small blossomes, which being dried by the heate of the sunne, and fallen on the ground, there is formed thereof a little round fruit, not much bigger then an hasell nutte out of the kernell whereof the islanders doe extract good oile, where∣with the diseased do rubbe their sinewes, and other infirme parts. The king of Monorique receiueth great profite through these trees: for none may bee permitted to touch them without his licence. And certaine moneths of the yeere hee causeth some twigges and sy∣ons to bee cutte, the smallest and finest that may bee in the tree, and the barke of them to bee peeled off, which is sold very deare to such strangers as trafficke therein. For this is the best of the tree. But the Cinamon which is brought hither, is nothing els but the second * 1.33 barke, that is peeled off, which beeing cut with a little knife, rowleth vp together of it selfe, and changeth colour. Moreouer the property of Cinamon is to dry and heate to the third degree: for it consisteth of very subtile partes, and is very sharpe in taste, and of a certaine quicke astriction, by meanes whereof it taketh away and dissolueth the superflu∣ities of the body, and fortifieth the members. There is a distilled water made of Cinamon, which is strong in smell and taste, and is of great vertue. For take a pound of Cinamon, bray it, and put it into a vessell with fower pound of Rose water, and halfe a pound of white wine then set your vessell being very close stopped, in warme water, and then make your distilla∣tion in the same water, being placed vpon a furnace, wherein the fire is temperately main∣tained, in such sort that the saide warme water doth alwaies boile. And this distilled water is very soueraigne against all diseases that come through colde, for it dissolueth and con∣sumeth fleame and clammy humours, & chaseth away all windines. It doth especially com∣fort the stomacke, the liuer, the spleene, the braine, and the sinewes. It is a singular and pre∣sent remedy against faintnes of the heart, against paines and prickings of the mouth and stomack, it resisteth poisons, & bitings of venemous beasts; it prouoketh vrine, & the flow∣ers in women. It is good for those that haue short breath, that are sick of the palsy, or haue

the falling sicknes. And in a word, when need is to heat, to open, to pierce, to resolue, and to comfort, this water is very profitable therefore.

Now let vs speake of the tree that beareth Cassia. For it is in the number of the greatest and most singular trees. The wood thereof is massiue, close, of the colour of boxe neere * 1.34 the barke, and blacke in the middest like Ebony. When it is greene, it hath a badde smell, but this sauour doth weare away being dry. It beareth certaine cods, which hang vpon the branches very long, round, and massiue, which being ripe, waxe blacke and some what reddish. And they are full of soft and blacke sappe, like to thicke creame, not sticking al∣together like marrow in a bone, but is contained as it were in little cases, being one separa∣ted from another by thinne skinnes set very close together: betwixt euery one of which there is a very hard graine. In Egypt and in India are very many of these Cassia trees, and in the isle of Taprobana. Their cods are not very great, but cleere, heauy, and very full: in such sort, that if they bee shaken, one cannot heare the graines rattle therein, and these are the best. The sappe or iuice of them is hotte and moist in the third degree. It is leni∣tiue and loosening, and purifieth the blood. It stancheth heat of choler, and doth mode∣rately * 1.35 loosen the belly. It is maruailously profitable for those that cannot make water, e∣specially if it be vsed with medicines that prouoke vrine. It purgeth choler and fleame, and mollifieth the breast and the throat, and resolueth inflammations therein: it cleanseth the raines from grauill and sand, if it be drunk with the decoction of licoras and other sim∣ples fit to prouoke vrine: and if it be often taken, it hindreth the stone in the raines. Besides all this, it is good against hot agues, and being outwardly applied, it asswageth inflamma∣tion.

Amongst aromaticall trees, the tree that beareth frankincense is worthy to bee conside∣red * 1.36 of. The forme thereof is somewhat like to a pine, and out of it runs a liquor, that after∣wards waxeth hard, which we call frankincense: whereof there are two sorts. One sort is gathered in sommer in the dog daies, in the greatest burning heate of the yeere, at which time the bark is split, being then fullest of moisture. And this frankincense is whittish, trans∣parent and pure. The other kind is gathered in the Spring time, by meanes of another inci∣sion, which is made in this tree in winter, & it is somewhat red, approching nothing neere either in goodnes or value, or else in waight or vertue to the first. Arabia hath many forreste wherin frankincense is found. And the inhabitants of the countrey do lance the trees with a knife to cause them distill gum the better, or else the liquor whereof it is made: amongst which trees there are some that may yeeld aboue threescore pounds euery yeere. Moreo∣uer being taken in drinke it is very good against Dysenterias and fluxes of the belly. It en∣creaseth the memory, chaseth away sadnes, reioiceth the heart, and is profitable for all the * 1.37 passions thereof. It also staieth the bleeding at nose, being incorporated with the white of an egge and aloes, and put into the nosthrils in a tent. It likewise appeaseth the paines of the megrim, beeing mixed with myrrhe and glaire of an egge, and applied to the forehead and temples. It is also hot in the second degree, and dry in the first, and hath some astriction, which is but little found in that which is white.

Let vs speake of myrrhe, which groweth abundantly in the same regions where frank∣incense doth. The tree which beareth it is full of prickles in some places, being of fiue or six cubits high, very hard and crooked, and thicker then the Frankincense tree, the barke * 1.38 smooth like a Laurell tree, and the leaues like those of the Oliue tree, but rougher, hauing certaine sharpe prickles at the end. Out of this tree there distilleth a Gummie liquor like teares, which hardneth by litle & litle, and is of color somewhat green, & is cleare and sweet, though somewhat vnpleasant in taste through bitternesse. Whereby it appeareth that the myrrh which heere wee haue is not right, for all these markes are not found therein, but it is blacke, and as if it were scorched, mouldy and mossie on the outside. Which wee neede not thinke strange, considering that euen in Alexandria, where our men doe commonly buy myrrhe, there is scarce any to beegotten which is not sophisticate. For the Arabian Mahumetans, who bring it thither, And sell it, doe therein vse a thousand deceits, mocking at such Christians as trafficke with them, and at their curiosity. There is great difference then betwixt naturall mirrh, which distilleth out of the tree; and artificiall, being sophisticated with gum, and mixed with other things, such as is ordinary in * 1.39 our Apothecaries shops. Now the right myrrh is of a hot and drie qualitie in the second de∣gree: and being drunk, it is very profitable for those that haue the quartaine ague. It is vsed

in Antidotes against poisons, against hurts by venemous beastes, and against the plague. And being applied to wounds in the head, it will heale them.

Let vs now speake of the tree that beareth cloues, which groweth in the southeasts * 1.40 countries in certaine Isles of the Indian sea. The stocke thereof is like to that of a boxe tree and so is the wood. It flourisheth almost like to a laurell tree, and the fruit groweth in this manner. At the end of euery little branch there doth first appeare a budde, which produ∣ceth a flower or blossome of purple colour, afterwards by little and little the fruite is for∣med, and commeth to that passe, as we behold it, being redde when it groweth out of the bloome: but by heat of the Sunne it waxeth blacke afterwards in such sort as it is brought hither. The inhabitants of the countrey, especially of the Isles of Molucca, doe plant and set cloue trees almost in the same manner, as we in Europe doe our vines. And that they may preserue this fruit and spice a long time: they make pittes in the earth, wherein they put the cloues, vntill such time as merchants come to carry them away. This tree is full of branches, and beareth many blossomes white at first, afterwards greene, and at last red. The people there shake and beate the vppermost boughes of the tree hauing first made cleane the place vnderneath: for no herbe groweth neere about it, because it draweth all the moi∣sture of the earth to it selfe. And the the cloudes are so shaken downe are put to dry two or three daies, and are then shut vp till they besold. That cloue which sticketh still fast to the tree, doth waxe great; yet differeth not from the rest, except in oldnes: though some haue held opinion that the greatest are of the male kinde. This tree springeth of it selfe, out of one only corne of a cloue, which hath fallen on the ground, and it endureth an hun∣dred yeeres, as the inhabitants report. The vertue of cloues is very great. For they are good * 1.41 for the liuer, the stomack, and the heart. They helpe digestion, and bind the fluxe of the bel∣ly. They cleere the sight, consume and take away the webbe, and cloudes in the eies. They heat and dry to the third degree, they strengthen and open both together, and are very piercing. Being beaten to powder and drunke with wine, or the iuice of Quinces, they staie vomitings, cause lost appetite to returne; fortifie the stomacke and the head. They heat very well a cold liuer. And for this cause they are ministred very profitably to such as haue the dropsie, especially to those, who haue water spread throughout all their body. The smell of them fetcheth those againe that haue swouned, and beeing chawed they sweeten the breath. They are good for such as are troubled with the falling sicknes, with the plasie, and with the lethargie. Being eaten or taken in perfume, they preserue from the plague, and are very commodious for such as are subiect to Catarrhes, and for such as are stuffed in the nose, if they receiue the smoke thereof into their nosthrilles. In briefe their vse is infinitely diuers and profitable, both in phisicke and in our ordinarie diet whereby wee restore nature. And sith we are in this talke, let it be your part (AMANA) to entreat of other trees bearing Spices.

Of trees and plants that beare Nutmegs, Ginger and Pepper. Chap. 70.

AMANA.

AMongst fiue kinds of nuts which the earth produceth, to wit, the common Nut, the Nut of India, Nux Metella, Nux Vomica, and of the Nutmeg, this * 1.42 is the most singular and of rarest vertue: which hath taken name from muske, by rea∣son of the sweete and pleasant sent thereof. Now they who haue trauelled into India make great report, that the trees which beare Nutmegs, doe aboundantly grow in an Isle named (Banda) and in many other Isles of the Moluccaes: and that it is as great, and as long branched as a Walnut tree with vs: and that there is but small difference in the growing of Nutmegs, and of common nuts. Moreouer, this fruit is at first couered with two barkes, whereof the outtermost is hairie or mossie, vnder which is a thinne bloome, which like a net or fillet doth embrace and couer the nut, and is like a skaule or coife called (Mace) whereof there is great account made, and it is reckoned among the most precious and rarest spices: which we plainely see in those Nutmegs that are brought whole from the Indies, being preserued in sugar or in iuice of carrouges. The other barke which co∣uereth the Nutmeg is like the shell of an Hasell nut, out of which they take it to bring vn∣to vs, which is very easie to do by reasō that the time of ripening being come, this hard shell openeth and sheweth an inward rinde that inuironeth the nut about, which wee call as aforesaid Mace: which at that time appeareth as red as Scarlet; but when the nut is

dry, it turnes yellowish, and is thrise as deare as the nuts themselues. That which is more to be admired in this tree, is, that it beareth the fruits therof, being so excellent, naturally with∣out any industry or husbandry of man. Moreouer, the best nuts are the newest (not rotten) the heauiest, fullest, most oylie, & abounding in moisture, so that if one thrust a needle ther∣into, there doth presently some iuice issue. They are hot and dry in the second degree and restrictiue. They make sweet breath being chewed, and take away all stinking smell therof. * 1.43 They cleere the sight, strengthen the stomack and liuer, abate the swelling of the spleene, prouoke vrine, stay the fluxe of the belly, driue away ventositie, and are maruellous good a∣gainst cold diseases in the womb. In sum, they haue the same vertues that Cloues haue. And when they are greene or new, being bruised and well heated in a vessell, and then put into a presse, there issueth a licour, which being cold, is congealed like to new waxe, and so smel∣leth passing sweet, and is very excellent for old griefes of the sinewes and ioints engendred through cold.

Now speake wee of Ginger and other spices, which for the most part growe in the * 1.44 same regions of Asia, and especially in the Indies, and Molucca isles, whereby Nutmegs abound. In them there is great quantity of Ginger, which is a roote, not of such a plant as may properly be called a tree, but rather an herbe, considering that it groweth not very high, but beareth leaues like a caue or reede, which do waxe greene twise or thrise a yeere. This roote is very knotty, and not aboue three or fower spannes deepe in the ground, and some times so bigge, that it waigheth a pound. They that digge vp these rootes, do alwaies leaue a space between two knots in the pit, and couer it againe with earth as being the seed of this plant, to receiue the fruite thereof the next ensuing yeere, that is the rootes, which shall be newly sprouted, In Calecut the greene Ginger is steeped and conserued in sugar, or in a kinde of hony that is taken out of certaine cods or husks, and is conueied into Italy, where it is much more esteemed then that of Venice. For that which is there is made of dry rontes artificially mollified, and which want much of their vertue and power. Moreouer Ginger is very profitable: For it helpeth digestion, it looseneth the belly mode∣rately: it is good for the stomacke, and profitable against all things that may dimme, or * 1.45 blind the sight. It heateh much, not at first tasting like pepper. For which cause we may not thinke it to constst of so subtile parts: the heate would els presently declare it selfe, and it would suddenly become hot in act. Whereupon Ginger is known to bee composed of a grosse and indigested substance, not dry and earthy, but moist and watry, which is the cause that it doth easily corrupt and rot, to wit, by reason of the super fluous moisture therof. For such things as are very dry, or moistened by a digested, natural, and moderate humidity, are not subiect to corruption and rottennes. Thence also it proceedeth, that the heat which commeth of Ginger doth endure longer then that of pepper, For as dry stubble is soon on fire and soon burnt out: euen so is the heat that proceedeth from simples, and dry drugs. But that which issueth from moist ones, as out of greene wood, doth inflame slowlier, and en∣dure longer.

Pepper doeth grow abundantly in the Indies, and especially in the two Isles called (the greater, and lesser Iaua) It doeth grow vpon little trees, the leaues whereof resemble much * 1.46 the leaues of a Citron tree, the fruit whereof is no greater then a ball. And according to the diuers places where Pepper groweth, it is different in kinde: yea in one place there are di∣uers sorts, and chiefly round and long Pepper. Now in some Isles (as alongst the riuer Ga∣nabara) when the inhabitants plant Pepper, they bury the roote thereof neere to some o∣ther fruit trees, and oftentimes neere to young palmes or date trees, vpon the top whereof the twigs or syons doe at length grow. Which the roddes and small branches pulled from Pepper trees doe likewise, being planted with the same trees, which they imbrace running to the very top of them: where the Pepper hangs in clusters, like the grapes of a wild vine, but closser and thicker. And when it is ripe they gather it, and lay it in the Sunne to drie vp∣on latti••es made of Palme trees, till such time as it become blacke and wrinkled, which is commonly done in three daies. And this Pepper is round. But the trees that beare long Pepper doe differ from the rest especially in leaues and fruit: for the leaues are sharper at the end, and the Pepper hangeth vpon the tree like clusters of nuts made and heaped with many little graines. There is yet another kind of Pepper, called (Ethiopian Pepper) or (pep∣per of Negros) which groweth in cods like beanes, or pease: and the graines thereof are a little lesse then those of blacke Pepper. Moreouer, all Pepper it hotte in the fourth degree, and therefore it burneth and blisteretth the bodie, so that the vse thereof cannot

but bee dangerous, though it haue many secret properties against the quiuerings and sha∣kings that accompany feuers, which vsually come to one; and against the cough, and all maladies of the breast. There is also a kinde of watry pepper, which groweth neere to slow waters, that runne but softly. The stalke thereof is knottie, massiue, hauing many pits, out of which the branches doe grow. The leaues of it are like to mints, sauing that they bee greater, softer, and whiter. The seede is sharpe and strong, and groweth vpon lit∣tle twigs neere to the leaues in manner of grapes. It is so named of the places where it groweth, and the likenesse of taste, which it hath with common pepper. But wee haue spoken ynough concerning spices. Let vs now consider of other most rare and singular trees the woonder whereof declareth the author of nature to be exceeding admirable, as we may note (ARAM) by your discourse.

Of the Date tree, of the Baratha or tree of India, of the Gehuph and of Brasill. Chapter. 71.

ARAM.

THose Portugols, Spanyards, and some French men that is in our time haue na∣uigated through the Atlanticke sea towards the south, and from thence to∣wards the east vnto Calicut Taprobana, and other isles of the Indian sea, and regions vn∣knowne to ancient Cosmographers, doe make credible report vnto vs of so many diuers singularities which they haue beheld, that we should be too vngratefull towards them, if so often as we behold any of them in their writings, we should not attribute praise vnto them for their laudable curiositie, which hath vrged them to such discoueries, considering that they are like so many mirrors, to represent vnto vs that great Architect of nature, who amongst the very Barbarians hath engrauen images of himselfe in euery worke of his om∣nipotencie. Now among such trees as they haue written of, and which (as me seemeth) are worthie of greatest admiration, although they bee not altogether so rare as many others, the Date trees require place, which are very common in Arabia, Egypt, and almost in all parts of Africa, and in Iudaea, as likewise in many Isles of Greece, and regions of Europe (wherethey beare no frulte, which is not so throughout all Africa) for the Palmes, or Date∣trees * 1.47 beare in many places a sweete, pleasant and very delicate fruite to eate, and this tree is very high, and hath the stocke thereof very hard, bearing no branches butround abound the top, with the ends of them hanging downe to the ground wards. It buddeth forth many blossomes, hanging at certain fine small stalkes, clustered together in figure like to clusters of saffron, but much lesse and white: and of those are formed reddish Dates, which haue a very hard, long, & crested stone within them. And there are of these trees male and femall; which are discerned in that the femall buddeth without blossomes, or floures. And that which is most admirable in this diuersitie of kinde, is, that the female being se∣parated * 1.48 from the male, will hang downe her brauches and whither, turning her selfe that way, whither her male hath beene carried: so that the inhabitants of the countrey fearing to loose her, take of the earth and of the roote of the male, which they lay about the foote of the female, who through this meanes springeth, reneweth strength, and beareth fuit. It is noted in Date trees that there are some, which naturally follow the Sunne, which way soe∣euer he turneth, as many other plants doe, which hauing a sympathy and secret iuclination to this Starre, as acknowledging his vertue, and that their vigour is deriued from him, do al∣waies behold him, and themselues loosing colour, when he is farre off from them. And this is also very wonderfull in the Date tree, that being dead, it reuiueth of it selfe, by meanes of the proper rootes thereof, which being (very deepe vnder ground) maintained by the ra∣dicall humour, there doe at lentgh spring out of them certaine stalkes, which are afterwards sustained by the Sunne, there nourished and made trees, bearing fruit as before. Moreouer out of the truncke of Date trees, many people (especially the Negroes) doe extract a licour * 1.49 (which they vse for a beuerage instead of wine) by making a large slit therein with a cer∣taine instrument a foote or two aboue the earth. And this licoure of whay, very good to drinke, and almost asmuch inebriating, or as strong as wine, for which cause it must be ve∣ry oftentimes mixed with water. And when it runneth out of the stocke, it is as sweet as new wine: but it looseth that sweetnesse from day to day, becomming more pleasant to drinke, when it tasteth somewhat more tart, because it doth then slacke thirst best.

They also draw out of this tree certaine threeds as fine as our threed, whereof they make tapistrie worke, which serue like other things to couer them: which neede not seeme very * 1.50 strange, considering that in many other places they beate the barkes of some trees so hard (after they haue wet it) that they do draw it out so fine, and weaue it so artificially, as one would suppose it to bee some faire and thin taffata. Such as haue sailed to Manicongo, and along the coast of Ethiopia, do assure vs therof in their writings. For if that cotten com∣meth from trees, and silke is spunne by wormes (as all men know) what should hinder the foresaid thinges to bee of such abilitie through the ordinance of God established in nature, to the end that men might receiue from these plants, that which is needefull for them, and which they cannot obtaine by the meanes that are common to others? But if any make doubt thereof, because it is notoriously knowne vnto all, then must wee shut the doore against all things that seeme rare. But what shal we say to that, which is taught vs by many graue Authors, that of the fruite of these trees, called (the Thebane Date) beeing dried in the sunne, till such time as it may beready to be ground, men vse to make bread, which is * 1.51 a common practise amongst those of that countrey? Moreouer, for the particular vertues and properties of Dates, they are so much different, as there be diuers kindes of them: for some are drie and binding (as those of Egypt) others are soft, moist, & sweete (as those that grow * 1.52 in Syria, Palestina, and Iericho.) And the rest are in meane betwixt these two kindes: and all are hard in digestion, and breed headach. Some say that two greene dates (hauing their stones taken out, and then filled vp with powder of Vermillion) beeing eaten, doe keepe women with child that they may not abort: and that beeing dried they bee good to eate by such as spit blood, to such as haue a weake stomacke, and are troubled with the bloo∣dy fluxe.

Now let vs speake of a tree, that doth much resemble the Date tree, and is no lesse wor∣thie of wonder then it, because it serueth for bread, wine, oyle, and vineger. This tree is cal∣led * 1.53 by the Arabians (Baratha) and of some (Iausialindi) which is as much to say, as, the Indi∣an tree, and the Indians name it (Trican) and the fruite thereof (Nihor) or Cocco. It is found in many Ilands of India, chiefly in Zamat, and in the circumiacent I sles, where the people liue vpon the fruite of this tree, which fruite is as bigge as a mans head: and is that, which we terme (An Indie Nut.) The outter most barke of this tree is all greene, & aboue two fin∣gers thicke: amongst which they finde certaine fillets, whereof they make cords, where∣with the inhabitants of the countrey so we their boats together. Within this barke is an∣other, which they burne and beat to dust: afterwards they vse this powder as a medi∣cine for their sicke. Vnder this second barke againe is •• certaine white pith couered, which is about a finger thicke, and this they eate in stead of bread, with flesh and fish. And to make it the better, they dry it first, and then bring it into meale, and make very good bread thereof, as the auncients in olde time made of Acornes and of chestnuts, for want of corne. In the middest of this pith they finde a very cleere, sweete, and cordiall water, which be∣ing crudled, and conuerted into an oylie substance: they boyle it, and then this mixture becomes so fat, as the best butter that can be made amongst vs. But if they would haue vineger, they set this water in the sunne without making it to boyle, and it will become cleere and sharpe, and as white as milke. For their drinking liquor, it runnes out of the * 1.54 branches in great abundance. And two of these trees suffice for the nourishment of an whole family. Furthermore, their fruite is hot in the second degree, and moist in the first. There is oyle drawen out of it very good against the hemorrhoides, and which healeth the paines of the reines and of the knees, and purgeth the belly of wormes. This Indie Nut bringeth also mens bodies into a good fat estate, and restoreth leane and consumed persons.

In the Isles of the Malucoes, especially in Taprobana doth likewise grow a tree of a * 1.55 meruailous propertie and effect, which is named in their language (Gehuph) and of the In∣dians (Cobban) it groweth very high, but the leaues thereof are small. The barke is all yellow, and the fruite big and round like a ball, hauing a nut enclosed within it, wherein is found a meruailous bitter kernel? the tast wherof vpō the toung doth neere approach to the sauor of Angelica roote; the fruit is very good to staunch thirst, the kernel (for all it is so bit∣ter) doth much surpasse it in sweetnesse through the excellency thereof. For they of the country doe make an oyle, which they keepe carefully, because it is very good against the paine of the liuer, and spleene, whether it be taken inwards, or outwardly applyed to the diseased part. They keepe them also from the crampe. This tree likewise yeeldeth a certaine gumme, whereof they vse plaisters against all paines of their members.

But amongst many singular trees, found out in our daies in the South in the wilde coun∣try, that is one, which doth serue to die with; which hath beene a great commodity to Merchants, and a meanes of new voy ages for such, as had accustomed to go to sea: who entring into those countries, when they beheld the Sauages decked with many faire plumes of diuers, colours, and that they had their bodies likewise diuersly painted, they made inquiry by what meanes they became so coloured: who shewed them a certaine tree, * 1.56 which we name (Brasill) and the Sauages call (Orauoutan). This tree is very faire to looke vp∣on, hauing the outter rinde of grayish colour, and the wood within red, and especially the heart, which is the most excellent part of all the tree: and therewith merchants doe chiefly fornish themselues. This tree hath leaues like the Box tree, as small, but thicker, and fuller and alwaies greene: and it beareth not any fruite, or gumme. That which groweth in the land of Morpion, and at Cabo Frio, is better then any other. And there also is great store and quantitie of other trees seruing for tincture, and euery one of a sundry colour: One is so red, that it imitateth in fresh colour the finest scarlet of the world. Another hath the inside so yellow, as nothing can be seene to approach neerer the pure colour thereof. Some are all blacke, and other reddish: and there are some of so faire a purple colour, as the anci∣ents neuer vsed fairer. Moreouer there is found a tree as white as fine paper, meruailous faire, and very pleasant to behold: which might haue beene very good, in times past, to make tablets to writein, then when men were ignorant of the vse of paper. In fine wee haue no colour, bee it simple, or compound, whereof there be not some trees to represent it naturally in the countrey of Sanages. But heere let vs leaue strange trees, and speake some∣what of our ordinary trees. And because that the history of them were sufficient to make vp a very great volume, we will content our selues to consider vpon a few of such, as shall seeme to vs most fit for our purpose, that we may conclude the discourse of this day, and of this matter togither: as you (ACHITOB) shall presently performe.

Of the Citron-treee, Limon-treee, Orange-tree, Oliue-tree, and Pome∣granate-tree. Chapter. 72.

ACHITOB.

BEcause that Citron trees, Limon trees, and Orange trees, doe prosper best in an hot and moist aire, in a thinne and tender soile, neere to the sea side, and where moisture aboundeth, they doe not onely abound in our Europe, but also in many places of Asia and Africa, and in the Isles of the Sauages which haue bin discouered in our daies. Now these three kind of trees haue like agreeable nesse of nature, and doe resemble each other in propertie and vertue, and therefore re∣quire * 1.57 one manner of culture. The Citron tree is as great as the Orange tree, and Limon tree: and the leaues thereof are alwaies greene, differing little or nothing from those of the Orange tree, being all of them peirced through with such little holes, that they can scarce be discerned. The branches thereof be flexible clad with a greene bark, and thorny. It bea∣reth blossomes somewhat purple, of the fashion of a bell, hauing some fillets hanging in the midst of them, and they haue fruit at all times. For when the ripe Citrons fall, there be others that waxe ripe, and others that begin to bud. But there is very great difference in this fruit, both in bignes and intaste. For there are some as big as Melons, as those are vpon the coast of Genoa, and in the isles of the Adriaticke and Egean seas. Some are a little: lesse: o∣thers are as great as Limons, or a little greater, as are those of the Lake of Garda which are better with meate then all the rest, and taste more pleasantly. And for the biggest, being not so good to eate (because they haue more substance) they are fit for Apothecaries to cōserue them in sugar or in hony. All of them beare the colour of gold; they are long like Limons, hauing a thicker rinde, wrinkled without, and of a sweete smell. They haue a sharpe pith within, full of iuice, in which the graine is hidden, in figure like to barley cornes, being couered with an hard peele, and of bitter taste, They grow all the yeere long, and are ga∣thered when they be yellow. Moreouer these trees are nourished by the south winde, but are annoied by northerne blasts. They are sowed in their graines, and planted in twigs, boughes and graffes. The propertie of their fruit is to resist poisons, which their graine doth * 1.58 chiefly effect. And the decoction of citrons doth sweeten the breath, if one wash his mouth with it. Being put whole into chests with apparell, they doe not onely cause them

to smell sweete, but doe also defend them from moths. If they bee eaten rawe, they are of hard digestion, and ingender grosse humours: but hauing beene confected in hony or sugar, they heate the stomacke well, and fortifie it. They are good against melancholy and all maladies proceeding therof. The graine is especially good against the stinging of serpents, beeing taken in drinke, and applied outwardly. Their sharpe iuice doth represse choler, and is very good against the plague: by meanes whereof phisitions doe happily vse the sir∣rope which is made of it against pestilent feuers. Likewise the sharpe and drie qualitie ru∣leth in the iuice of citrons, and therefore it is drie and cold in the third degree, but the rinde thereof is drie, with much bitternesse: so that it is drie in the second degree, not cold but temperate, a little differing from the meane. Their meate is of grosse and flegmaticke substance, and their kernell bitter, and loosening, heating and drying in the second de∣gree. If a citron be boiled whole in rose water and sugar, till such time a sit bee all consu∣med into iuice, and if one take euery morning to the quantity of a spoonefull of this iuice, it will be a soueraigne preseruatiue against the plague.

Limons also haue the very same propertie, and their iuice killeth the itch of the body, it * 1.59 clenseth the spots thereof, destroyeth wormes, taketh away pimples in the face, killeth wormes in the bellie, and being mingled with sirrope, it is singular good against hot and contagious feuers. This same iuice is of so strong and persing vertue, that it you powre it out twise or thrise fresh, and wash whole pearles therewith, steeping them in it, and af∣terwards expose them to the sunne, they will within fiue or sixe daies become as soft as hony, in such sort that you may fashion them how you list. Likewise if you steepe for cer∣taine howers golde therein, it will diminish in waight. In briefe, limons doe not much dif∣fer from the vertue and nature of citrons: but they are commonly somewhat lesse, longer, and not of so thicke a rinde, fuller of iuice, sharper in taste, almost alike in seede, of colour pale.

Oranges are more round, and being ripe they haue a very orient golden colour, their peele is thicker then that of limons, and more bitter. The iuice within, whereof they bee * 1.60 full, is not in all of one taste; for some are sweete, some sower, and some tart. Orange trees are alwaies greene like citron trees. They haue leaues like laurell, broad, thicke, smooth, sweete, and pointed. Their branches likewise are flexible, pricklie, and couered with a greene whitish colored bark. Their blossomes are white, of a very excellent smel, and are diligent∣ly gathered by perfumers, where there is any quantitie, for the composition of perfumes. Some also distill water of them, not only for the excellencie of the smell therof, but also to serue in medicine, especially against pestilent feuers which cause blisters. Being taken in drinke, it is very profitable when neede requireth to haue infected humours euacuated out of the inner part of the body to the vttermost part by sweatings: for this water doth cause much sweating, and doth greatly comfort the heart. The peele of oranges is hotter, shar∣per, and bitterer in taste then that of cirtons and limons. And sweete oranges are hot in all parts: but the iuice of all others is cold, and resisteth corruption. Wherefore they are good against feuers, which the sweete are not. Moreouer their iuice pressed out of the rinde doth easily in flame: and doth also penetrate through great tenuitie within a glasse, euen to the wine therein contained.

The oliue-tree also is excellent amongst trees, and doth require a warme and temperate * 1.61 aire as that of Prouence. It is planted of twigs, and faire and fruiteful yong branches pulled from off the boughes of the tree, being very thicke, & of a foote and halfe long. Oliue trees haue long pointed leaues, thicke, smooth, greene aboue, and whitish vnderneath, bitter in taste, and somewhat sharpe. They bud in Iulie, and haue white flowers hanging in clu∣sters, out of which grow the fruit, greene at first, and as they ripen paler; then waxe they purple: and at last turne blacke. They are gathered in the latter moneths of the yeare, be∣ing no sooner ripe. They are strowed vpon the floor, till such time as they become wrinck∣led. Afterwards they are ground, and then put into the presse with hot water, and so they yeeld their oyle. The wood of the oliue-tree is faire, ful of veines speckled, massie, and bur∣neth as well greene as drie. It is in no wise subiect to vermine, especially so long as it is planted, because of the odour thereof which is strong, yea it defendeth all other plants ther∣from, which are neere vnto it, as likewise through the bitternesse thereof it causeth Cabba∣ges and Lettise to drie, and all other moist herbes, which are sowed in the plot with it. O∣liues * 1.62 are gathered for two occasions, either that oyle may be extracted out of them, or that they may bee reserued for bankets, wherein they are serued to excite the appetite: but all

kindes of oliues doe not serue indifferently for these two vses: for the greatest are beast to eate, and the best to draw oile out of. They which are kept for feasts are conserued in brine, and salted vineger, in such sort as they retaine their naturall verdure. For the pro∣pertie of the oliue, it hath in it a very restringent vertue; for the decoction of the leaues in a clystes, staieth the flluxe of the belly: and the iuice pressed out of the leaues with white wine and raine water, restraineth all manner of bloody flixe. The licour which distilleth out of the greene wood as it burneth, healeth the itch, tetters, and ringwormes. New oliues being eaten prouoke the appetite, and get a good stomacke although they harden the bel∣lie. Being very ripe they are moderately hot, otherwise they are more binding and cooling The oile that is extracted out of oliues is of singular vertue, being either applied outwardly or taken inwardly, according to the indisposed parts of the body: it ••coseneth and molli∣fieth the bellie, dulleth the malice of poysons, and doth subtilly driue them away, yea if any venim or burning happen on the skinne of the body, and begin to make an vlcer or sore there, nothing better to heale this hurt, then to annoint it with new fresh oile of oliues.

The Pomegranate tree also is to bee no lesse esteemed of, then the forenamed trees, be∣cause the excellency of the fruite thereof. The leaues of it resemble those of the Oliue tree * 1.63 of a darke greene colour, very thicke, and full of many red strakes, hanging by a red sialke. The branches are pliable, and full of prickles. The blossomes red, and open like bels, the mouth of them cut in fashion of a starre: out of which proceede thinne red leaues, with certaine small seedes hanged by the midst, like them in a rose. The fruit is couered with a rinde like vnto leather, red without, and yeallow within, full of infinite pointed graines, red, full of a wine-like iuyce, with a stone in them. And these graines are separated one from another with maruailous cunning of nature, by fine thin yealow skinnes. Moreouer there are three sorts of Pomegranates, sweete, sharpe, and winie. And the qualitie of them all is restringent, but not alike. For by their taste you may iudge of their difference. And their graines are more binding and drying, then their iuice: the rinde more then the graines; and the blossomes haue the same vertue with the fruite. And the powder of a Pomegranate, dryed in an ouen, in a new earthen pot close stopped, beeing taken in drinke, is maruailous singular to stay the flux of the body. The leaues also of a Pomegra∣nate tree well beaten, or the iuice of them mixed with oyle of roses, doth very much ease in∣ueterated paines of the head, being often laid to the forehead. The boughes of this tree do chase away venemous beasts; for which cause the ancients were wont to lay them ouer, and vnder their beds. The decoction of the roote being drunke, doth also kill great wormes in the bellie, and doth voide them out. Now haue we said enough concerning trees for the subiect by vs vndertaken: To morrow we will discourse of the most singular hearbes & rootes, to the end that in each sort of all kindes of creatures, wee may haue somewhat wherein to acknowledge in the chiefest manner the infinite power, and vnspeakeable bountie of him, who hath made all these things for the vse of man. It shall be then your charge (ASER) to begin to entreate concerning simples.

The end of the ninth daies worke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Genes. 1.
• * 1.2

  What is the cause of the fertility of the earth.
• * 1.3

  Genes. 3.
• * 1.4

  How crea∣tures are nou∣rished and preserued.
• * 1.5

  Of the ferti∣lity of the earth.
• * 1.6

  Matth. 6. Luke. 12.
• * 1.7

  Matth. 12.
• * 1.8

  Woonders concerning the properties and vertues of the fruits of the earth.
• * 1.9

  Two great good things that God hath done for man.
• * 1.10

  VVhat iudge∣ment must be made of the vertue that the fruits of the earth doe retaine for the good of men.
• * 1.11

  Leuit: 28. Deut. 16.
• * 1.12

  Exod. 15.
• * 1.13

  Why God doth serue himselfe with his creatures towards man
• * 1.14

  Of the true vse of Phisick and how it is abused.
• * 1.15

  Eccles. 38.
• * 1.16

  Exod. 15.
• * 1.17

  Foure kindes o•• plants.
• * 1.18

  In what we must take the difference of plants.
• * 1.19

  The place & temperature of the aire, of great officacie in the produ∣ction of plāts
• * 1.20

  The parts of plants.
• * 1.21

  That the wood of roots must not bee cast away in decoctions.
• * 1.22

  What plants & what parts of them haue the greatest vertue.
• * 1.23

  Why young folkes breath is sweeter then that of the old.
• * 1.24

  Foure diffe∣rences of plants trans∣ported.
• * 1.25

  Property of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ac∣cording to the qualit•• o•• the reg••ons where 〈◊〉〈◊〉 grow.
• * 1.26

  Of the pine.
• * 1.27

  Qualities, and vertues of the pine kernels.
• * 1.28

  Other pro∣perties of some parts of the pine.
• * 1.29

  Of the fir tree and of the rot sin which it produceth.
• * 1.30

  Of the c••pres tree, and the properties thereof.
• * 1.31

  Of the cedar, and of the gum thereof.
• * 1.32

  Of the tree that beareth Cinamon.
• * 1.33

  Property of Cinamon.
• * 1.34

  Of the tree bearing cas∣sia.
• * 1.35

  Property of the cassia.
• * 1.36

  Of the frank∣incense tree.
• * 1.37

  Property of frankincense.
• * 1.38

  Of the tree that b••areth mirrhe.
• * 1.39

  Property of myrreh.
• * 1.40

  Of the cloue tree.
• * 1.41

  Of the proper¦ties of cloues.
• * 1.42

  Of the Nur∣meg tree.
• * 1.43

  Property of the Nutmeg.
• * 1.44

  Of Ginger.
• * 1.45

  Propertie of Ginger.
• * 1.46

  Of Pepper and the diuers kinds thereof.
• * 1.47

  Of the Date∣tree.
• * 1.48

  Maruell of the femall Palmetree.
• * 1.49

  Drinke that distilleth out of the Date∣tree.
• * 1.50

  Tapestrie made of Palme trees.
• * 1.51

  Bread made of Dates.
• * 1.52

  Propertie of Dates.
• * 1.53

  Of a tree ser∣uing for bread wine, oyle, and vineger.
• * 1.54

  Property of Indie nuts.
• * 1.55

  A tree named Gehuph.
• * 1.56

  Of Brasil, and other trees fit for tincture.
• * 1.57

  Of the Ci∣tron tree.
• * 1.58

  Property of Citrons.
• * 1.59

  Of Limons.
• * 1.60

  Of Oranges, and of their fruit.
• * 1.61

  Of the Oliue tree.
• * 1.62

  Of the vse of Oliues.
• * 1.63

  Of the Pome¦granate tree, and of the fruit thereof.