An history of the wonderful things of nature set forth in ten severall classes wherein are contained I. The wonders of the heavens, II. Of the elements, III. Of meteors, IV. Of minerals, V. Of plants, VI. Of birds, VII. Of four-footed beasts, VIII. Of insects, and things wanting blood, IX. Of fishes, X. Of man / written by Johannes Jonstonus, and now rendred into English by a person of quality.

OF Naturall VVonders. (Book 5)

The Fifth Classis. Wherein are the Wonders of Plants. (Book 5)

NAture, daily breeds Flowers and Sents: it is evident, that men are much admonished thereby, that those things that flourish most delightfully, do soonest wither,

Plin. l. 21. histor. Natural. c. 1.

CHAP. I. Of Plants in generall.

WEe have seen the Wonders of things without life; Now let us see the Wonders of living Creatures▪ Plants are first in order; not that they are the chief, but because they have that degree in com∣mon to all living Creatures. They have a vegetative soul, producing the nutritive, augmenting, and generative faculties, with all things subordinate to them. And besides, each hath a specificall form of its own being, works by it, and is distinguished from others. Nature hath made up their bodies of certain parts, which Philosophers call the kernel, the pith, the bark of the root, the stock, the boughes, the branches, the flowers, the fruit. As these vary, so is there very great difference in Plants. The Earth is their Mother, their faculty was given by creation; and because qualities are different, it is found ve∣ry various in Plants also. Moses speaks expresly, Let the Earth bring forth grasse, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after its kind, whose seed is in it self upon the Earth. But Porta (l. 2. Phytogn. c. 1.) when he had heaped up much ground together, which was cast forth from the foundations of houses, and laid it open to the Ayr; a few dayes after, from the divers qualities of the Earth, divers sorts of herbs sprang forth. He saw these things familiarly in Naples climat

and grounds, some of them must needs marry. The principles of Male and Female are mingled in them. But that which Pliny writes is false, that they are begot by the West wind. They wither that fructifie most, for their nourishment is consumed; and beyond St. Thomas Island, the South wind onely is said to blow, elsewhere onely two winds by courses: And it is certain, that all kinds of Plants do not grow in all places. For near Rome Chestnuts will hardly grow: and about Cimmerian Bosphorus, in the City Particapaeum. King Mithri∣dates and the rest of the Inhabitants wanted the Bay and Myrtill Tree in their solemnities. Some new Plants are found in new-found pla∣ces, as Tobacco lately in America, wild Tobacco was found in the Woods of Thuringia, Libavius l. 4. de orig. rerum. Anaxagoras ascribes it to the ayr that hath in it the seeds of all things, and sends them down in showrs, and they become Plants. Diogenes, to the waters putrifying and mingled with the earth. Others to the winds, bring∣ing them. We ascribe them, to Divine providence, which did not produce each individual plant, but disposed of the best in Paradise, and left the rest without, endowing some with virtues to come forth into the light at their set times. As for their Life, they live by heat in the earth, and dye with cold. Theophrastus l. 2. de Plant. c. 4. testi∣fies, that some of them will spring again; if an Olive Tree be burned to the root, it will grow again: Some will live without the ground, as Onions and Garlick, which being many moneths from the Earth, grow without any nutriment from thence, being fortified by much grosse humour of their own, Marcel. l. 4. histor. medic. mir. c. 12. The forces of Plants are wonderful. It hath been observed, that if men with wands travel where ill Plants grow, the Ulcers will be inflamed, and cured where the Plants are healthful, Mathiol. in Dioscor. Praefat. By touching of Spleenwort, Splenetick people have been helped; and Jaundy-sick, by putting Celandine to their naked feet in their shooes. No man shall be troubled with blear-eyes, so long as he keeps very clean by him the root of the wild sowr Dock. He shall not be troubled with the Strangury any more, who quencheth in his urine the burn∣ing root of Tamarisk. Physitians do diversly dispose them; the Chymists teach us to know them by their signatures; and Porta of Naples thinks, that it is certain, that what part of Man they resemble that they are good for, Sennert. de cons. Chym. c. 18. But of these, more hereafter if God please. Now let us see Nature prodigall in Plants, and opening her Treasures, let us admire with thanks∣giving.

CHAP. II. Of Wormwood, Woolfsbane, and Snapdragon.

WOrmwood is in many things a wonderful Plant, it is very bit∣ter, yet the distilled water of it is sweet. Hence the Com∣mentators on Mesues think, that the intrinsecal parts are sweet: but the matter must be ascribed to the thinnesse of the outward parts; for these being soluble into a vapour, being more attenuated by heat of the fire, are easily resolved, and abate of their bitternesse, Mathiolus in Dioscor. c. 24. The Lye out of which the salt of it is prepared, will so benum the hands, that they almost lose their feeling, Mathiol. de febrib. pest. It is credible, that if Infants before they be 12 weeks old, be anointed with the juice of Wormwood on their hands and feet, that neither heat nor cold will ever trouble them during their life: and if the whole body be anointed, they shall never be scabby, Guerth. in Append. ad memorab. Mizaldi. Wolfsbane is the quickest of all ve∣nomous things; for if it touch but the secrets of a woman, it kills her the same day. This was the poyson, that Mar: Coecilius objected, that Calphurnius Bestia killed his Wives with, when they were asleep: hence it is that he so sharply declamed against him, that they dyed by his hand. Yet experience teacheth, that this may be made use of for mans good, and against the bitings of Scorpions, given in hot wine, the nature of it is to kill Man, unlesse it find some venome in him to be destroyed. Scorpions are stun'd by the touch of it; and being asto∣nished, shew by their palenesse that they are subdued. White Hel∣lebore helps them by its resolving touch, and Wolfsbane yields to two evils, to that which is evil to it self, and to all others, Pliny. But Snapdragon is so contrary to them, that the sight of it stuns them: but whilest some by this Amulet hope to procure Princes favours, they are deceived, Mathiol: in l. 4. Dioscor. c. 128.

CHAP. III. Of Aloes, Agallochum, and Camomill.

SCaliger had found by above 40 years tryal, that Aloes hurts the Liver, Exerc. 160. Sect. 3. They whose veins swell, or are open∣ed, if they take never so little of it, it will certainly go thither; for it will adde something of its own to open these vessels. But Agallo••••um is Aloes wood so excellent, that cast into water, it will not swim at all, but sinks presently; When it is cut from the Tree, the Inhabitants bury it a whole year, that the bark may wither under ground, and the wood lose nothing: and they think it will never be so sweet, un∣lesse it first be worm-eaten, Simeon Sethi citante Mathi••lo. Camomil is

so like to May-weed, that you cannot know them asunder by sight, but onely by smell. This stinks, and bound on will presently blister the skin. The flowers of Camomil taken without the leaves, and beat in a Mortar, and made with oyl into balls, if they be dissolved in the same oyl, and those that have Feavers be anointed therewith from the crown of the head, to the soles of the feet, and be presently covered with blankets to sweat; if they sweat plentifully, it cures them of their Agues. This is Nictessius Aegyptius his receipt, Mathiol. in Dioscorid. l. 3. c. 1 37.

CHAP. IV. Of Ammi, Holly, Ceterach, and the Strawberry-Tree.

AMmi, if it be the right seed that comes from Alexandria, it cherisheth Womens fruitfulnesse: if you drink of it a dram weight in the morning every other day, 3. hours before meat. Yet in those dayes they must not lie with their husbands, as Mathiol. in 3. Dioscor. c. 61. With the flowers of Holly, water congealeth; and a stick made of it, thrown at any living creature, though it fell short by the weaknesse of him that threw it; yet of it self it will fall nearer to him, Plin. l. 22. Ceterach growes in Crete, by the River Potereus, that runs between two Cities Enosa and Cortina: it destroyes the Spleen in Cattel, that eat it; thence it hath its name Spleenwort▪ In a certain place that lyes toward Cortina, this Spleenwort is found in great abundance; but it is otherwise toward Enosa, for there growes none. In the wrong side of the leave of it, there is found a precious powder, which being given one dram weight, with half a dram of the pow∣der of white Amber, in the juice of Purslane, cures the Gonorrhaea. The Strawberry Tree flowers in July; the buds by a singular hanging together, are joyned in clusters at the utmost end, each of them like a long form'd Myrtil berry, and as great, without leaves; hollow, as an Egge made so, with the mouth open; when it fades, what hindred is perforated, Theophrast. l. 3. c. 16. de Plantis.

CHAP. V. Of the Cane reed, Asserall, and Agnacath.

IN Zeilam the Reeds are so large, that they make boats of them se∣verally; also they make Javelius of them: As in the Kingdom of Pegu, they make Masts and Oars of the Myoparones: Certain it is, that they are some of them 7 foot about, Scaliger Exerc. 166.

Mathiolus writes, that in India they grow so great, that between every knot, they serve for Boats to sail in Lakes and Rivers, for three

Men to sit in them. Mathiol. in Dioscorid. l. 1. c. 97. Between the Reed and the Fern there is a deadly feud, and they say that a Reed tied to the Plough destroys all the Fern that growes there. It agrees with Sparagus; for if they be sowed in Reedy grounds, they increase wonderfully. Mathiol, l. citat. The Turks, going to battle, devoure Asseral, and by that they grow merry and bold against dangers. Juglers use this often on their Scaffolds. They mingle a Medica∣ment with Wine, that will draw their mouths together: and whom they would put a trick upon, they bid him dip his finger in and suck it; he putting this into his mouth, cannot for pain suck it. The Juglers, as if they pittied him in this case, annoint the arteries of his wrists and temples with some peculiar Oyntment. When he is reco∣vered, like one that comes from Sea after Shipwrack, he winds his hair and garments as if they were wet, and wrings them out, he wipes his Armes, blows his Nose. Scaliger. Exerc. 159. Agnacath is a Tree like a Peare Tree, and as great, allwayes with green leaves, and very clear in the outside. It makes men so lusty that it is miracu∣lous. Kin to this, is a root in the Western Hills of Allas, the Inha∣bitants call that part Surnaga. The eating of it gives wonderfull strength for Venus▪ they say if a Man make water on it, he is presently provoked. If Virgins do but sit on them in the fields; or Urine up∣on them, the Hymen is presently broken, as if they had known a Man. Scalig. Exerc. 175. s. 1.

CHAP. VI. Of the Scythian Lamb, the bashfull Plant, and Amfi••.

THe Scythian Lamb is a Plant that come 〈…〉〈…〉 seed like a Kernel, but not so long. The Tartars call it 〈…〉〈…〉. It g••••ws like a Lamb about three foot high, and is like a Lamb in his feet, claws, ears, the whole head, except the Horns. For Horns; it hath h••ire: is is singular like a Horn, and a very thin Horn covers it, the inha∣bitants take it off, and use it for cloathing. It is of a wonderfull sweetnesse; Blood runs forth of the wound. As long as other herbs grow about it, so long it will live. It dies, when these are gon. Wolves desire it, but other beasts that feed on flesh, do not. Scali••••r exerc, 181, sect. 2. The Bashfull-Tree draws back, if you but touch the leaves with your hand. Apollodorus, Scholler to Democritus, discovered that Amfia is a medicament amogst the Iridi, of wonderfull use. They that are not used to it from their Childhood, if they eat it afterwards, it kills them: also it kills those that are used to it, and then 〈…〉〈…〉 it; but hurts not those if they continue it. The women of Cambaya▪ when they would avoid punishment feed of it; and dye without pain. The King of Province fed with this from his young yeares grew so Venemous, that the very flies that but suckt his skin swell∣ed and died with it. It is thought to be Opium, and the Turks

Maslach. Tthough Turnheuserus herbar. l. 1. c. 29. saith, that by the secret relation of the Turks, he learned that this was made of the juyce of Leopards bane, yet it is nothing else, but Opum, as Scaliger, Poterius, and Johannes Baptista Sylvagius, interpreter for the Venetians with the Tur∣kish Emperour, do testify. He being demanded by Bucretius, re∣ported that the Turks have two medicaments, to make them merry, Afra and Bongelie; That prepared of Opium: this with Honey, and the leaves and seeds of hemp powdred and used frequently, This will make them undergo any dangers, for it makes them frantick; and if they sleep, they dream of the fighting of Gyants, and fires, and Cities burning.

CHAP. VII. Of Balsome Tree, and Betel.

BEfore these times, in Judaea the Balsom Tree yielded great pro∣fit, and there was an Orchard of it in two Kings dominions, one of 20 Acres, the other not so many; but now there is none to be found. It is probable that the Kings of Aegypt transplanted it into their own Gardens, as being jealous of their greatnesse, Plin. l. 12. c. 25. In grand Cairo there is a Garden of Balsom Trees, the leafe is like Rue leaves alwaies green. The Gum of it is gathered in the Trunk of it, making incision at the upper part, with Iron; When the Sun is hottest, that which remaines is not much. For a man can hardly fill a Cockle shell in a whole day. Theophrastus, l. 9. c. 6. de plan∣tis. Pliny writes, if it be cut with an Iron, it presently dies, and there∣fore they that gather Balsome, use Glasse, Stone, and Bone-Knives to cut the Bark, and taking the juyce in wool, they collect it in little Hornes. That which is Indian or Occidental, is brought out of the West Indies into Spain. It is the liquor of a Tree called Xilon; the bark of it, which is thinne being cut, a clammy whitish liquor in small quantity flows forth, which the Inhabitants pre∣serve. Also the boughs and roots cut into pieces, very small like Chips, and boyled in a Cauldron with water, when it is cold, yeilds the same. From Shell-fish they collect an Oyle that swims at top, that is red from black, of a most sweet smell, a sharp tast and somwhat bitter. A pound of it in Spain is sold for three Dudats, whereas an ounce was wont to be sold for 10 or 20. Bauhin. in Dioscorid▪ Be••••l a lease called so from the River, which runs not far from Gamba••a, it grows from a Plant that is wrapt with others and wants propping•• it hath neither flower nor juyce. The Indians feed daily on it, when they are at leasure: for they think when it is green that it promotes venery; It makes their lips red, and their teeth black. Mathiol. l. 4. Dioscorid. c. 2. It troubles their minds if they eat of it too freely, therefore the women of Tarnassarum, to lament for their Husbands, eat it till they grow mad, and so they run into the fire, and are

burnt with them. It is sprinkled with water made of lime, from Shells of Fishes, and then they eat it, Scaliger, Exerc. 1.46. s. 2.

CHAP. VIII. Of Betonie, Birch and Box.

BEtonie is said to defend consecrated places and graves from fear∣full apparitions; and is so forcible, that it will draw forth bro∣ken bones; bruised with a little salt, and put into the nose, it stops the bleeding of it, Mathiol. in 5, Dioscorid, c. 1. Birch loves to grow in a cold and Snowy Country. The stalk pierced with a piercer sends forth abundance of most clear water, it is good to break stones in the Reins and Bladder, if it be long drank. Mathiol. l. 1. c. 93. The Ananii take of the bark of it, and wreath it, and make Candles of it to burn at night, which because they abound with a Pitchy fat, they burn like Torches, and give the colour of Rosin like Pitch. In the Boxwood there is a kind of narcotick force, and a sleepy sulphure∣ous matter. That is apparent from the stinking smel of it, and the ground it delights to grow in. For it bree•••• in Mountaines and sto∣ny grounds, and prospers there, and drinks in a most stinking Brim∣stone. From the rasping of it, a water is distilled like the spirit of Vitriol. The greatest Tooth-ach is allayed, if you dip a Tooth-picker into it, and thrust it into the root of the a••ing Tooth, and that so suddenly, that by miracle allmost, and by way of a Charms, the pain is presently gon•• Que•••• et. Tetrad. c. 1••. The flowers 〈…〉〈…〉 said so to purge the blood, that if one drain thereof be giv•••• with field Poppy water, and blood be drawn a•• hour after, it will run clear; Petreius in Nosol. Harm. discurs. 14.

CHAP. IX. Of Batat, Baxera, Brusathaer, and Baara••.

BAtat is a root like a Turnep, with a black rind, it spreads un∣derneath, as it were by Armes; The colour of the 〈…〉〈…〉, and so it is divided into divers kinds, but the worst is the yellow. It is planted wonderfully, for it is Se••mo•• with the root▪ but 〈…〉〈…〉 the Olive, by a Slip▪ the twig, being cut into severall parts, is 〈…〉〈…〉 yet some of the rind must be left. They set it like the Vine and prop it up, for the fibres of it, run about like hops▪ In the fifth month it is ripe, Scaliger, exerc. 181. s. 17. Baxera•• 〈…〉〈…〉 a Tree in the Kingdom of Belus, which is neere to the Tartars of Cathay. The root of it 〈…〉〈…〉 kills one presently. The fruit of Nira••und is a remedie for the mis∣chief of it. It drives away any Poyson whatsoever, Scaliger. Exerc. 153. s. 6. B••u••ath••er are Sea-Trees in the S••••us of China▪ So

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great are they, that birds of wonderfull bignesse do lodge in them. They are so vast, saith Scaliger, that the greatest Creatures may be born up by them, and taken above ground. Scalig. exerc. 181. s. 10. Josephus writ of Baaras. In a valley, saith he, where the City is conpassed on the North side, there is a certain Lake called Baaras, where there is a root called by the same name. It is of a flame colour, and about the evening, it shines like the Suns beams. Those that come to it, and would pul it up, can∣not easily do it, but it draws from them; nor will it st••y, untill some body powre the urine of the menstrual blood of a woman upon it. Also, then if any one touch it, it is certain death, unlesse he carry the same root hanging in his hand. It is taken an other way without danger, which is this; They dig round about it, so that very little of the root be covered with the Earth, then they tye a dog to it, and he striving to follow him that tied him, pulls the root out very easily, but the dog allwaies dies, as in place of him, that should take it up: for after that, there is no fear for any man to take it up. It seems to be a Fable, unlesse there be some other meaning in it.

CHAP. X. Of Cachi, Cacavate, Cassia, our Ladies Thistle, and Corallina.

CAchi is a prickly Tree in Malabar, they call the fruit of it Cicca∣ra; It is like the Pine-nut; for within, the severall divisions are distinguished by Membranes, as in the Pomegranate. The Apples are like figs in shape, and sweetnesse, without any rind: there are 250, and somtimes 300 upon them; Scalig. exerc. 181, s. 12. Amongst these small fruits, there is another like a Chesnut, and cracks like it, when it is rosted. The fruit grows forth of the stock, as it doth on the Mulberry Fig-Tree, between the prickles and the leaves. Somtimes, which is the greater wonder, it comes forth of the root un∣der ground, and it brings forth but one Apple, but so great that it will load a strong Man, Maiol. col. de Plant. Cacavate is a Tree in the Pro∣vince of America Nicaragna, which so abhors the Sun, that it must be kept allwaies in the shade, and must be covered with the shadow of some higher Tree: In Woody places that are wet, if it come to the Sun, it perisheth. Libavius de orig. rerum. Cassia oft times is change∣ed into Cinnamon. Galen saw some boughs that were exceeding good and alltogether like it, and some twigs of Cinnamon like to Cassia: hence grew his opinion that for one part of Cinnamon, two parts of choise Cassia might be substituted in physicall compositions. Galen de Antid. l. 1. The twigs of it were cut in peices, and sowed up in green Oxe-hides, least the wood should grow unprofitable, by Worms that will breed in it. Plin. l. 12. c. 29. Of solutive Cassia men say, that he that shall daily swallow three drams of the pulp of it before dinner, shall never be troubled with the stone nor colick, Mathiol in Dioscor. l. 1. The flowers of the milky Thistle, which they

call Carduus Mariae. Platerus de vit. saith, they cured a Souldier of the Strangury, onely by looking upon them. Corallina is of so great force against Worms, that it drives them forth the same day it is ta∣ken. There was a Boy that took it, and voided 70 Worms. The Antients knew it hot, now they use it all over Greece, Lemn. occult l. 3. c. 9.

CHAP. XI. Of Cinnamon and Cedar.

CInnamon growes in Zeilam, and in one of the Molucco Islands, Mutir. It bears no fruit. In the heat, the rind cleavs and comes off, it is pull'd off twice a year, Scalig. Exerc. 144. First it growes sweet, and the next moneth it comes to perfection. In Galen's dayes it was so scarce, that no man had any but the Emperour, Galen l. 1. de Antid. But even at this day there is scarce any such as Galen describes, Scalig. loc. cit. It holds not good for 30 years; for it is false, that others write, that it never growes old. I (saith Galen, loc. cit.) obser∣ved some change in Cinamon, not that was 200 years old, but far younger, in comparison: For at the time that I made Theriac for the Emperour An∣toninus, I saw many woodden vessels wherein such Cinamon was, some were laid up in the time of Trajan; others of Adrian; some in Antoninus his time; and all these in taste and smell did exceed or fall short one of ano∣ther, so much as they differed in age. Cedar doth bring spungy flesh to putrefaction without pain, because it is dry; and preserves dead bo∣dies from corruption; for it drinks up the superfluous moys••ure in them, not medling with what is firm, Mathiol. l▪ 1. Dioscor▪ c. ••9. It kills Nits, Lice; Moaths and Worms bred in the ears; ••aid on, it kills the Child that is living, and drives forth the dead, Theophrast. l. 5. c. 8. It corrupts the seed in copulation, and hinders procreation. It grew formerly abundantly in Libanus; now adayes it is very little there, (Rhanwolsius reckoned but 24 Trees). It is wonderful for height and thicknesse. The body is so great, that three Men cannot fathom it. It is far greater in Orchards, if it be let alone and not cut down. At Utica there was the Temple of Apollo, where the beams of the Numi∣dian Cedars lasted; for they were laid there at the first founding of that City, that was 1188 years, Plin. l. 16. c. 40.

CHAP. XII. Of Chamaeleon, Cloves, and Cichory.

THe root of black Chamaeleon is venomous in Greece and Pontus: Mathiolus ascribes it to the goodnesse of the climate, where it is not so. For the Peach Tree was formerly deadly to the Persians, but safe to the Egyptians; and Cuckowpint was so mild amongst them of Cyrene, that they eat it for meat like Rape roots. In Greece and Italy they cannot eat it boyled nor raw. It kills both Dogs and Sows, Dogs, when it is kneaded with barley meal, oyl, and water; Sows, with Coleworts. If you would try whether a sick man shall live, some say he must be washed with that root for 3. dayes; if he can en∣dure it, they think he will not die. The clammy substance growing at the roots of it, is present venom; but taken moderately, it makes sleepy persons wakeful, Theophrast. l. 9. de Plant. c. 23. Hence the women of Crete, that they may not sleep at their work, eat a little of it after Supper. The Clove-Tree growes in the Indies in some Islands of the Indian Sea, it is like a Bay-Tree, with narrower and most sweet smel∣ling leaves. Cloves proceed from them, that are nothing but the beginning of the fruit. It growes of its own accord when the Cloves fall down, Mathiol. in l. 2. Dioscorid. c. 253. It growes to perfection in 8. years, and lasts a hundred years. It bears fruit onely in the Molucco Islands. The keepers of it beat the Tree with Canes, cover∣ing the Earth before with Palm-Tree coverings. For 3. years it yields fruit, then it growes barren, and degenerates, Scalig. Exerc. 146. s. 1. Cichory, called Wart-Succory, kills Warts. Many by once eating one Sallet of the leaves of it, have been freed. The seed doth the like, taken one dram for three dayes after Supper, Mathiol. in l. 2. c. 125.

CHAP. XIII. Of Saffron and Cherries.

SAffron flowrs almost for a moneth; After the flowers, by and by come forth the leaves, that are green all the Winter, not caring for the cold; they grow dry, and fall off in the Spring; they never appear in Summer, Mathiol. ad l. 1. Dioscorid. c. 25. It flowers when the Pleiades set; and presently with the leaf it drives out the flower. The root loves Lime, it comes up by perishing; whence those Verses were made:

Saffron that's bruis'd growes fairer; be not sad, To suffer, for at last 'twill make thee glad.

Minder. Aloed. c. 4. It is good for shortnesse of breath, Cardanus de

spirat. diffic. It recovered the Mother in law of Caesar de Comitibus, who for 2. moneths was so short-winded, that she was next to deaths-door. Given to women in labour, it presently flyes to the Matrix, so that one woman was delivered with a child, dy'd in Saffron, Heurn. l. 2. me∣dic. c. 14. It is hurtful to the brain, and with much using of it, it will cause one to laugh: we have an example of a Merchant who fell into such a laughter after meat, when he had eaten over-much of it, that he was ready to die. A Mule-driver at Pisanta, sleeping upon two little bags of Saffron, dyed that night, Lusitan. Com. ad c. 25. l. 1. Dio∣scor. Cherry-Trees cannot away with dung; if therefore you dung their roots, they degenerate; they prosper well if you cut off the branches of them, and bury them by the roots, that they may cor∣rupt there. They grow without stones, if you cut the Tree off when it is young, about 2. foot from the ground, and pick out the pith of it with an iron, clearing the stock, and bind both parts together again, Mathiol. ad l. 1. Dioscor. c. 129.

CHAP. XIV. Of the Dog-Tree, Cypresse-Tree, and Cucumbers.

THe Inhabitants of Ida by Troy say, that the male Dog-Tree is barren. In Macedonia they are both fruitfull; but the Male brings ripe berries in Summer, the Female in Autumn. These Ber∣ries are not so good as those; for they can hardly be eaten. Bees that taste of its flower, die by a dysentery. The Cypresse-Tree growes na∣turally onely in Candie; for in what place soever the earth is digged, unlesse it be planted as it should be, it will come forth again of it self. In Mount Ida it growes very well and numerous, in ground that is not forced, Plin. l. 16. c. 33. Set in watry grounds it presently decayes, and it is kill'd by laying dung to it. The seed is as small as Atoms. The Pismires desire it, which is the greater wonder, that so small Creatures can devour it all; the leaves are alwaies green, and the substance is never rotten, nor breeds Worms, Rhodigin. l. 25. c. 2. Plin. l. 26. c. 40. The Image of Vejovis made of this wood, remained in the fortresse from the year the City was built, 551. even to the dayes of Rhodiginus. In Arcadia at Phophis there were some so tall, that they overshadowed the Mountain that was next to them, Dalechamp. ad loc. cit. Plin. Cucumbers are sometimes wonderful gr••at, that in India one man cannot carry one of them. Scaliger saw one was 7. foot and a half long. He saith also, Exerc. 171. That he had a dry Gourd, which a man that carried it in sport, seemed to have a great Log on his back; It was 13 hands breadth. Eaten, they remain in the stomach till the next day; for they are of a clammy and cold substance, Plin. l. 19. c. 5. They so hate oyl, that if a vessel of oyl be put under them when they hang on the stalk▪ they will turn from it, and grow crooked: They

grow very tender, if the seed be steeped in milk before they be set.

CHAP. XV. Of Onions, Celandine, Hemp, and River Sponge.

THe Onions of the Ascalonitae are of a peculiar nature; they one∣ly are cleft from the root and barren; nor will they grow from that part, Theophr. l. 7. c. 4. Therefore they are not set, but sow∣ed with their seed, and in the Spring they are transplanted with their branches. In Candie also, there is a kind of them that growes thick in the root, sowed in seed; but set, it spreads into stalks and seed; it is sweet in taste, but hath no head. Seed of Elinus being put into Oni∣ons, there will spring up an herb, with leaves like flax, of a sharp taste, they call it Dragons. Yet Scaliger was deceived when he sowed it, and thought to try this miracle, Scalig. Exerc. 169. s. 2. They say of Celandine, that Swallowes lay it on the Eyes of their young ones, and restore their lost sight, Dioscor. l. 2. c. 186. Hence, Aristo∣tle 4. de generat. Animal. c. 6. saith, prick the young Swallows eys, and they will see again: Worn next the soles of the feet, it cures the Jaun∣dies: laid to womens breasts, is will stop the too great abundance of their Terms, Mathiol. ad Dioscor. loc. cit. Garden Hemp-seed will make Hens lay, and it extinguisheth mans nature eaten too largely, Mathiol. ad l. 3. Dioscor. c. 48. The decoction of new Hemp if you presse it out strongly, and pour it on the ground, it will force the Worms out of their holes, and kills Worms in the ears, Plin. l. 20. c. 23. River Sponge is proper especially to the Rivers by the Alps. A pruner of Trees was cured by it, that fell from a Tree, and brake al∣most all his bones. They laid it round his body, and as oft as it grew dry, they sprinkled it with water. Though they did this but seldom, yet he was quickly restored, Mathiol. ad l. 4. Dioscor. c. 94.

CHAP. XVI. Of Hemlock, Ciacompalon, and Cocco.

HEmlock is a kind of poyson, that makes men mad, and kills them. Franciscus Trapollinus dyed mad with it, when his Maid had put it into his Pottage instead of Parsley. It hath made some Creatures lie for dead, and when they stood up again, they were astonished a long time, and afterwards they ran wildly up and down. Scaliger writes, he never saw any man that was killed by it. Starlings feed on it. From Plato we collect, that the force of it may be aba∣ted, if one be moderately hot before he take the juice of it: There∣fore Scaliger, Exerc. 152. s. 1. saith, That the Executioner that was to

give this most deadly Poyson, warned Crito, that he should not suffer Socrates to dispute too much, because by that agitation of the mind, he would grow hot. Ciocompalon is a kind of Tree in Camalonga, which sends forth only 4, or 5, branches from a long stalk: the leaves are very great, for the inhabitants weare them for a Cloke, against the heat of the Sun and rayn. In the top of the Tree it puts forth flowers like Bean flowers, about 200, from whence grow fruit abundantly, as big as ones hand breath. It is a yearely Plant. It withers after it hath brought forth. Coccus is the same with Tenga. It is a Tree with a leaf like the Palme-tree: they cover their houses with them, for they make mats of them to serve for six months, (in China and Malabar) Scalig. exerc. 25. s. 13. It brings fruit in clusters, as the Palme Tree doth, each hath ••00 nuts. When its comes forth, there is water bred in it; it is filled with it, when it is perfect. The end of this increase is the beginning of the Pith, for it grows by the thickning of it. The quantity is full three Cyathi. It is very sweet. When the Tree is come to the full growth, in August, they cut some of the boughs of it in the middle▪ and leave the rest; they cut off the top also a little. They hang a cu•• to each of them, four great jugs are filled in one day. It brings fruit that continually follow one the other; it lives, 30, or 40, yeares.

CHAP. XVII. Of Doronicum, Dragons, Olive-honey, Vipers, Bugloss, Eryngion, Euphorhium.

DOronicum is Poyson, that kills doggs suddenly. Matthiolus gave some to his dogg, and the dogg fawned on him all the time he lived; in seven hours he died, as of a falling sicknesse. There is a 〈…〉〈…〉 of Tree in the West Indies neere Carthagena, the fruit whereof is perfect∣ly like a Dragon, with a long neck, open mouth, nostrills lifted up, a long taile, standing on its feet, so that who sees it would think it to be a Dragon. Monarel. In Palmyra of Syria there runs forth oyle from a stock of a Tree, that tasts sweet; it is called Etaeo-meli, Ma∣thiol. in l. 4. c. 73. It purgeth choler and crudities, exhibited one sextarius of it, with one Hemina of water. They that take it grow stupid, but they receive no harm if they be often rowsed, that they may not sleep. Dioscor. l. 1. c. 32. Echion or Vipers Buglosse, was found by one Alcibius. Sleeping on the ground, a Viper bit him, Ma∣thiol in l. 4. c. 25. When he rose up; he pressed out the juyce o•• the hearb with his teeth▪ and drank it down, the rest he laid to the wound, and it cured him. Nature hath made the hearb with hairs like Vipers, that Men might know the use of it. Eryngion, if a Goat take it in the mouth, the whole heard will stand still, and cannot move till you take it out. Plutarch in lib. quod maxin•• cum princip. disp. si philos. The smell of it passeth so quick, that it spreads like fire to what is next, and exerciseth its force upon it. Suphorbium, if we be∣lieve

the Africans, is a prickly Plant, out of the root of it the fruit comes forth of a long forme like to Cucumbers, somtimes two foot long, when it is ripe it is pricked with an Iron, and a clammy white liqu••r comes forth of it, which they let run into a bottle, and they keep that. Scalig, exer. 181. s. 2. It purgeth the belly, but the pa∣tient will faint and sweat with a cold sweat. Given, the weight of two O••boli, it cures the dropsy; it kills one if he take three drams weight. For in 3, days it will corrode the Stomach and the Guts. Mathiol. in l. 3. c. 80.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Elaterium, Hellebour, Eupatorium, Emitum and Fennel.

ELaterium lasts longest of all Physicks. One had of it that was 200 yeares old. The moysture is said to be the cause of it. For though it be cut moyst and layd in the ashes, yet for 50 yeares it will put out a Candle, if it be put to it. Theophil, l. 9. c. 14. With the infusion of Hellebour in the midst of Winter, when the cold is greatest, many have been cured of a Quartane Ague. Matthiolus ad l. 4. c. 146, Never saith he as I remember, did we give our infusion to those had quartane Agues, but at once or twice taking, by Gods assistance they were cured. By the smell of dryed Eupatorium, venemous Creatures are driven away. Hearts wounded are cured by eating this; Matthi∣ol. ad loc cit, c. 37. Emitus is a Tree in Trachimia; if Serpents come neere, and but touch it, they dye. Aelian, l. 9. c. 27. Also Strabo saw one l. 15. that I will here mention, it was like a Bay Tree; beasts that tast of it, grow mad, some at the mouth, and fall into an Epi∣lopse. In the Kingdome of Tombut which is the wilde of West Aethi∣opia••, Fennel grows so big, that they make bowes of it. Scalig. ex∣erc. 166. In Spain, whilst it is green, the Country people mowe down the stalks of it for firing. Dalecamp. ad Plin. l. 20 c. ult.

CHAP. XIX. Of Fennel Gyant and the Fig-Tree.

FEnnel Gyant grows in hot Countries. Out of the first shoots of it Shepherds take out a little pith, like to the the yolk of an ege that is hard. That wrapt in a wet paper and rosted under the embers and then sprinkled with Salt and Pepper, tasts exceeding well and makes them busy. Mathiol. ad l. 3. c. 76. They are by nature of great antipathy to Lampreyes, for if they but touch them, they dye, Plin. l. 20. c. 33. Also they are present Poyson to other Beasts; yet ve∣ry pleasant food for Asses. The Indian Fig-Tree is wonderfull great.

Scaliger briefly describes it out of Theophrastus. The Fig-Tree, saith he, beares small fruit▪ it plants it self, and is spread forth with vast boughs, by the weight whereof they are so bended to the earth, that in a yeares space, they stick in and grow up with new branches, round about their parents like to Arbouts: so that seven Shepheards may summer under it, being shaded and fenced about with the fence of the Tree. It is pleasant to behold, and from far it seems, an arched circumference. The upper boughs of it put forth very high, and in abundance like a wood from the huge bulk of the Tree, that many of them make a round of 60 paces, and they will cast a shade two fur∣longs. The broad leaves are like an Amazonian Target: wherefore covering the fruit, it will not let it grow; It is very rare, and no big∣ger than a beane. Scalig. exerc. 166. Moreover Carthage was de∣stroyed by the Fig-Tree. For Cato beareing a deadly ••ate against Carthage, and being carefull to secure his posperity; when he had cried out at every meeting of the Senate, that Carthage must be de∣stroyed, he brought one day into the Court, a early ripe Figg, that was fetcht from Carthage, & shewing it to the Son a tours; he ask∣ed them, whence they thought that Fig was taken from the Tree▪ And when they all granted it was newly gathered, he replied, 3, dayes since was this pulled at Carthage; so neere to our walls is the enemy. They presently began the 3d▪ Punick Warre▪ wherein Carthage was rooted out. In Hyrcania there are some that each of them will beare 260 Bushells. Plin. l. 15. c. 18.

CHAP. XX. Of the Ash, Mushrooms, and the Beech.

THe Ash is an Enemy to Serpents, none of them can ••ndure the shade of it, though it be late at night, Plin. l. 16. c. 13. Pliny saith, he proved it, that if a Serpent be compassed in, with Ash∣wood and fire, he will leap into the fire, before he will passe over the Ash wood. This is the great bounty of Nature, that it flowers before the Serpents come forth; nor do the leaves fall, till the Ser∣pents be gone to hide themselves. Vessels made of the wood of it for use of meat and drink, help the Spl•••••• and the Stone wonderfully, Dom. Zean. l. 1. pract. At the waters 〈…〉〈…〉 out of which fire breaks forth, it did once prosper, Pliny hist. l. 2. c. 107. Mushrooms gro•• so great in Namidia, that they are thicker than Quindes. In the King∣dome of Nanles the crust of the ground is thick, and like Marble, that being covered with earth a span deep, and sprinkled with warm wa∣ter, in 4. dayes sends forth Mushromes, Scalig. Exerc. 181. S. 1. It is of necessity that there be some seminary vertue, out of whose bosome they may proceed; for the water that is sprinkled on affords matter and nutriment, and also a procatarctical cause, Libav. l. 1. Epist. Chym.

30. If they be boyled, or the juice be pressed forth and poured at the roots of Trees, (especially Beech-Trees) Mushroms will grow from thence in great abundance, Sennert. de cons. et disp. Chym. c. 12. In the Northern parts under the Pole, Beech-Trees are frequent of a mag∣netick vertue, and the Mushroms that grow to them are changed in∣to Loadstones, saith Olaus l. 12. c. 1.

CHAP. XXI. Of Guaicum and Gentian.

GUaicum is of great vertue against the French-Pox; In Italy at first they were fearful to drink it. Bread and Raisins were prescribed with a moderate diet, and to live 40 dayes in a dark Chamber, and that so curiously, that they admit not of the least Ayr, Mathiol. in l. 1. c. 3: The errour was observed afterwards, and Hens flesh was allowed, but not a drop of Wine. Mathiolus was the first that tryed it with suc∣cesse, and others followed him, Gentian, called also Cruciata, is the herb of S. Ladistaus a King. The report is, that the Tartars drove him out of Hungary, and that he fled to Claudiopolis a City of Da••ia▪ There he grew acquainted with a rich man, and became his God∣father. He helped him to drive out the Tartars. They as they fled, threw down moneys of Gold that they had plundered in the field of Aradium, as a means to hinder those that pursued them. The King pray'd unto God, that they might be changed into stones; and it was so. Hence it is, that there are so many stones there. After this Hungary being afflicted with a grievous Plague, He obtain'd of God, that what plant an Arrow shot into the Ayr should fall down upon, might be a remedy for that disease. It fell upon Cruciata, and by the use of that the Plague was driven out of that Country, Camerar. Centur. 3. Memo∣rab: s. 23.

CHAP. XXII. Of Broom, Ginger, and St. Johns-wort.

IN stony and sandy grounds, 3. foot from Broom, one moneth be∣fore and after the Calends of June, there is a kind of Broomrape found that is a cubit high; if this be bruised, and the juice pressed forth, which is like to clear wine, and be kept in a glasse bottle stopt all the year, it is an excellent remedy against the Plague. Ginger is a root that creeps along with knots and joynts, the leaves are like reed leaves that wax green anew twice or thrice a year, Mathiol. l. 2. c. 154. There is some difference in the taste when it is dug forth be∣fore its time to be ripe. The fit time to gather it is, when the root growes dry, otherwise it is subject to Worms and rottennesse. St.

Johns-Wort both feed and flower is wonderful to heal all wounds; besides those in the head. Some write, that the Devils hate it so much, that the very smell of it drives them away. I think this super∣stitious. The same is reported of Pellitary, especially for green wounds. If it be bruised green and bound to a wound, and taken off the third day, there will need no other Medicament, Mathiol. in l. 4. c. 81.

CHAP. XXIII. Of Elecampane, Turnsole, and Hiuoa.

ELecampane is a yearly Plant, that growes higher than a man▪ Sometimes 24 foot in height: it growes up in 6. moneths after the seed is sown; on the top of the stalk there growes a head like an Artichoke, but it is rounder and broader, and it extends it self with a flower as big as a great Dish, Bauhin. ad lib. 4. Dioscor. c. 182. Some∣times the diameter of the dish is more than a foot and half; and it is compassed about with long leaves of a golden colour, or as it were Sun-beams, and the plain of it in the middle is purple colour. The seed is disposed of in the holes of the dish; it hath a black rind and sweet substance within: so great is the abundance of it, that some∣times you shall find above a thousand in one dish: Some there are, that take the tender stalks of the leaves; and scraping away the Down, they boyl them on a grid-iron, and season them with Salt, Oyl, and Spices, and they are better tasted than Artichokes. It is a won∣der, that it turns with the Sun East and West; for when the Sun ri∣seth, as if it did adore the Sun, it bows down the head, and it riseth with it, alwaies pointing toward the Sun, and opening it self very much at the root of it, till the Sun sets. Turnsole kills Pismires, if you stop their holes with it. If a Scorpions hole be compassed about with the juice of it, he will never come forth; but if you put in the herb, he dies, Mathiol. ad l. 4. c. 186. Hiuca is as great as a mans thigh, it goes about with the Sun, though it be a clowdy day, and at night it is contracted as sad for the Suns absence, Plin. l. 22. c. 21. They break it into fine meal by rubbing it with Pumex stones or whet∣stones; then they put it into an Hippocras bag, and pour water to it, and presse forth the juice: The Liquor is deadly, but the meal that is left, is set in the Sun, as they do Sugar-Candy; when the meal is dry they temper it with water, and make bread of it, Scalig. Ex••rc. 153. l. 8.

CHAP. XXIV. Of Impia, Juniper. and Glasse-wort.

IMpia is thought to be a plant that no Creature will taste of, and from thence it hath its name: yet bruised between two stones, it will grow hot; and the juice of it mingled with Wine and milk, is excellent against the Quinsie, Mathiol. in l. 3. c. 115. They that shall taste of it will never be troubled with that disease. Some think that part of this herb is put into birds nests, and that keeps their young ones from being strangled when they eat so greedily. Juniper is hard; hence it is, that the wood will not corrupt in an hudnred years. Therefore Annibal commanded to build the Temple of Diana at Ephesus with Juniper beams, Plin. l. 15. c. 40. A light cole of it covered with its own ashes, will keep fire a whole year, if we will credit the Chymists. An admirable Bath is made of it for the Gowt thus: Take 12. pound of Juniper wood cut in pieces, boyl it in water in a great Cauldron, till but a third part remain; then pour forth the decoction with the wood into a Fat: let the sick go into it, and sit there up to the na∣vel▪ and bathe his limbs, but he must first purge, Mathiol▪ l. 1. Dioscor. c. 87. Many Gouty people have been made whole by this Bath, that were forced to keep their beds before. The pith of it in Numidia is white; in Aethiopia, black; in Lybia, purple coloured, Scalig. Exerc. 181. s. 9. Also the African Physitians raspir and use it successefully for Guaicum, against the Indian disease. I say by the by, that this disease was carried by the Jews out of Spain into Africa, and cannot there be cured without a remedy. But if the Patients go into Numidia, or Aethiopia by Nigris, there the Climate onely will cure them. Of the Ashes of Kaly, Salt is made this is dissolved, with powder of stones, and a kind of clammy substance swims a top to make glasse: when it is cold, it growes hard, and is called commonly Axungia Vitri; being powdred, it makes the teeth wonderful clean, Plater. l. 2. de Vit.

CHAP. XXV. Of the Bay-Tree, Mastick-Tree, and Flax.

THe Bay-Tree will yield fire of it self; and if you rub the dried boughes often together, strewing powder of brimstone thereon, it will take fire, Mathiol. in l. 1. c. 90. It is alwayes with green leaves▪ and so great is the force of it, that but stick some of the boughs in the fields, and the corn will never be hurt with smut, which is the plague of Corn; for it will take hold of the leaves. At Rome they held antienly, that Jupiter sent it from heaven, Plin. l. 15. c. 30. For an Eagle from aloft let fall a white hen, into the lap of Livia Drusilla, (who afterwards was called Augusta, being married to Caesar, whom

she was espoused to) she wondred at it, but was not afraid; the mi∣racle was, that she had in her beak a Bay••bough that was full of Bay∣berries. The Southsayers commanded to keep the Hen, and her Chickens, and to set the Bay bough, and take care of it, which was done in the Mannour of the Caesars, that was by the River Tibur, about 9 miles from Rome, in the way Flaminia; and therefore is called, ad Gallinas, and it grew into a great wood. Caesar afterward in triumph held a Bay-bough in his hand, and had a Crown of bayes on his head. Amongst all Trees this onely is never stricken with thunder, unlesse it be for a sign of future calamity; no houses are thunder-stricken, as they say, where the boughs are; Therefore Tiberius fearing thunder, when it did thunder, put on his Lawrel Crown. Theophrastus writes, 4. de Pl••nt. c. 8. that they are stony in the red Sea. The Mastick-Tree beats little bladders bowed in like to horns, wherein there is contain'd a clear liquor, which with age is turned into little Crea∣tures, like to those that fly out of Elm and Turpentine bladders. In the Island Chios, of the Egean Sea, from the Mastick Tree cut, runs forth Mastick: it growes in ground that is ram••d fast together, and paved, Mathiol. l. 1. c. 45. If you oft-times distill Linseed oyl, saith Bapt. Porta. l. 10. mag. c. 9. it will be so ready to take fire, that you can scarce shut it up in a Vessel, but it will draw fire to it, and if the vessel be open, it is so thin, that it will fly into the Ayr and evaporate, and if the light of a candle or fire touch it, the ayr will kindle, and the oyl will flame so violently at a great distance, that it is almost im∣possible to put it out. In the Desarts of India it growes red, that will endure the fire, and be purified by it. It growes out of stones, springing, and rising upward, the hair is short; and is therefore hard to be spun, Libav. l. 2. c. 7. de Bomby••.

CHAP. XXVI. Of the Larch-Tree, Lilly, Loostrife, and the Lote-Tree.

SOme of the best Writers say, That the Larch-Tree will not burn, and we alledged it before out of Lemnius; but that is found to be false. In the Mountains of Trent Iron is made, and the Furnaces are heat with Larch-wood; and no wood will better melt mettals. And if stones will burn that have a Bituminous matter in them, what shall we conclude of a Ros••••ous kind of wood? Lillies will hold green all the year, if when they are shut, and have not opened themselves, they be crop••, and put into new unglased pots, and kept close covered, Mathiol. ex Anatolio in l. 3. Dioscor. c. 99. When in the mean time you take them out for your use, bring them to the Sun, and by warmth of it they will open themselves. Loosstrife is a notable remedy against the Plague; the Country people found this Plant amongst the Coeno∣mani; bound something high upon a man, it will drive the poyson

of the plague downwards, and keeping it there, will not let it rise up any more, Ruel de natur. stirp. l. 3. c. 78. If Oxen disagree, lay this on their yokes, and they will be quiet. The Lote-Tree is a va••t spreading Tree full of large boughes. Domitius valued 6. of them at a thousand Sestertia, Plin. l. 17. c. 1. They lasted untill such time as Nero burnt the City, 180 years. There is also an herb in Egypt call'd by ••••i' Name, that when the waters of Nilus go back that water'd the ground, it comes up like a bean, Plin. l. 13. c. 17. The fruit of it is like a Poppy head dented in, and the seeds are in it. The Inhabi∣tants putrefie the heads in heaps, then they wash them apart; when they are dry, they bruise them, and eat them for bread. When the Sun sets, these Poppy heads close and are covered in leafes▪ when the Sun riseth they open, till they grow ripe, and the white flower fall off; That bread is Physical, Plin. l. 22. c. 21. They that feed on it are never troubled with a Dysentery nor Tenasmus, nor any diseases of the belly. When it is hot, it is the most easie of digestion; but cold, it is harder for the stomach.

CHAP. XXVII. Of Malabathrum, Punic and Assyrian Apples, and the Tree called Mangueis.

MAlabathrum is a leaf of its own kind that the Lakes of India produce, swimming like Duckweed on the waters without any root: they gather it and stitch it through, and hang it up to dry, Diosc. l. 1. c. 11. They say, that when the Summer heat dryes up the waters, the dry sprigs do burn on the ground, and if this come not to passe, it growes there no more. Dioscor. divides Pomgranates into 3. heads, some are sweet, some sharp and sowr; others are between both. They say that sharp ones will grow sweet, if hogs or mans dung be laid to the roots of the Trees, and to water them oft with old urine, Mathiol. l. 1. Dioscor. c. 127. They are kept from corrupting a whole year, if when they are almost ripe, the branches they hang by, be woond about the Tree; or after that they are gathered, they be smeered all over with Clay resolved in water, and laid some dayes in the Sun. Also they are dipt into scalding water, and are presently taken forth again, and laid 8. dayes in the Sun to dry. The Assyrian Apple-Tree bears fruit alwaies, some fall off, others coming in their places, ripe∣ning one after the other. Pliny, l. 12. c. 3. saith, That people tryed to transport them for themselves, because they are so good for health, and to car∣ry them in earthen vessels, giving place for their roots to take ayr by holes in the vessels, as all such things that must be carried far to be set and trans∣planted must be used, which you must remember that we may not say one thing twice. But they will not grow but amongst the Medes and Persians. Do••dius writes, as Libav. de orig. rerum. reports, than an Assyrian Apple, when it was cut, was found great with a young one in it, that lay in it as in

the Womb, and was fastned to its stalk. The question was how it grew so, and it seems there were may Apples on that twig placed close together; and the first growing but slowly, that which grew over it by abundance of matter coming to it, grew faster, and pressing with its weight on the lesser, took it into it, and so grew about it. Mangueis is a Tree in the Country Temistitan; out of whose stock peirced, there flows a watry juyce. If any Man drink too much of it, he grows drunk and stupid. The bark is good for thread, the wood for niedles, the leaves to cure diseases, and to cover houses. Matol. in Colloqu. de Plant.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of Musk and Mosse.

MUsk is bred in the Navel of a certaine Creature; two kinds of this Creature are described: one is like a Goat with one Horn; and a great body. This when it is prone to venery, with the vehemence of Lust, the Navel swells, and the impostume grows great by the thicker blood heaped together, R••ell. ex Aetio. Then it will neither eat nor drink, and roles it self often on the ground, by which rowling it presseth forth the blood that swells in the Navell; The matter pressed out, in a short time grows wonderfull sweet. Sca∣liger writes of the other, that is in the Kingdome of Pegu, like a roe busk, white, from whose lower Mandible, the teeth put forth equally on both sides. Under the belly of it (I set down the story out of Sca∣liger Exerc. 21) the Navel swells. They catch the beast, and cut off that part with the skin: and all the drops of blood that run out, when it is cut, and fall down, they are either catcht, or gathered up for good Musk. When they have cut it, they set leeches on, so many and so long, till they kill it by drawing blood from it: that blood so drawn forth, being dried and made into powder, they mingle with the former in small quantities, that is very strong. One hundred part is sufficient. The sophistication is discovered, if you smel to it. That which is unmixt, will draw blood from your nose if you put it neere. There is another kind of Musk called Civet, it is bred in a little Bladder in the testicles of a certaine Creature. Ma∣thiol ad l. 5. c. 20. And growing like sweat in the testicles, is of qua∣lity moyst and hot: that put into the Navel hole wonderfully cures the strangling of the Matrix. There is one kind of Cranes-bill that smels like Musk; especially Evening and morning. The hairy Mosse of the Larch-Tree, if it be set on fire, burns so violently, that it exceeds Gun-Powder. Mathiol loc. cit. For they flame with a World of sparks in a darknight, and flye up toward the Starrs, leaving a sweet smell behind them. Gathered new, and steeped with Oyle of Roses, it wonderfully abates paines of the head that come from a hot cause; it stops blood, layd upon wounds.

CHAP. XXIX. Of Mandragora, Mallows, and the Mulberry-Tree.

MAndragora is a sleepy medicament, as experience proves, Lemnius in explic. herb. biblic. c. 2. For when as he had negligent∣ly laid the fair and amiable fruit of it in his study, he was oppressed with drowsinesse; but when he removed it, he grew wakefull again. The same thing hapned to the Afcicans in their Warre against the Carthagenians. For Hamilcar corrupted the Wine in the Vessells, and let the Africans take it for spoil: when they had drank, they all fell asleep, and the Carthagenians became Conquerors. Potyan, l. 5. Phy∣thagoras calls it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, For the roots from the middle to the bottom come forth with two forks, that it seems to have legs like Men. The fruit is like an Apple, not far from the root, upon the leaves lying on the ground. Heidfeld. in sphing. Philosoph. Where∣fore if it be dug up at that time, that it beares fruit, it represents a Man without Armes. There are also some Counterfeits made of reeds, Mandragora, and Bryonie roots. Matthiol l. 4. Dioscor. c. 7. sheweth the way an impostor used to make one. They carve (saith he) in these the Images of both men and women, sticking the graines of Barley and millet in the places, where they will have haire come forth; then making a hole in the ground, they cover it with thin sand, so long till those graines shoot forth, which will be in 20 dayes at least. Then they take them up againe, and cut the roots where the graines grow to them, with a very sharp Knife, and they sit them so, that they may represent the haire of the head, the beard, and other parts that are hairy. Mallows are so venereous, that the seed of that which hath but one stalk strewed on the privities, is said by Xenocrates to in∣crease lust infinitely in women. Also three roots bound together are thrust up with great successe for the tenesmus and the Dysentery. But it is a wonder, that water should in the open ayre grow thick by it, and white as Milk. Plin. l. 10. c. 21. The Mulberry Tree will not bud till the cold be over, yet it brings forth fruit with the first; when it begins to bud, it buds so violently, that in one night it buds all over with a noyse, so that the whole Tree will be covered with flowers. Pliny, l. 16. c. 25.

CHAP. XXX. Of Napellus:

NApellus kills with every part, but chiefly the root. For held in the hand till it wax hot, it will destroy you. It is certain, that some shepherds that used the stalk for a spit to rost birds, dyed of it. Mathiolus. (Com. in l. 4. Dioscor. c. 73.) confirms this venomous quality of it by many examples. I shall adde one. One dram of

Napellus was given to a Thief that was 27 years old: He drank it down, and said it tasted like pepper. Most grievous symptoms fol∣lowed: for he vomited often something green, as Leeks. He felt a thing like a ball about his Navell, it came upwards, and sent a cold vapour to his head: then he became stupified as if he had a palsie that laid hold on his left arm, and leg, that he could scarce stir the top of his hand, all motion being lost in the other parts. By and by, this force of the disease forsook his left side, which became sound, and seized on his right side, and wrought the like effects there. He said, That all the veins of his body were grown cold. He had giddinesse in his head, and his brain was so often disturb'd, that he said it seem'd to him like boyling water. He had Convulsions in his Eyes and Mouth, and a very sharp pain in his Mandibles; wherefore he often held those parts with his hands, fearing they would fall off. His eyes appeared outwardly swoln, his face wan, lips black, and his belly was seen to swell, like a Tympany: His Arteries beat strongly, and his mind was diversly troubled, as the symptoms in∣creased. For sometimes he thought he should die, and presently he hoped to live; sometimes he spake rationally, and sometimes he do∣ted; sometimes he wept, and sometimes he sang. He affirmed, that in all this time he was thrice blind, and thrice in an agony of death, but his tongue was firm, never troubled with any symptome. Thus far Mathiolus. But all these symptomes by giving him Bezars stone, vanished in seven hours.

CHAP. XXXI. Of Nyctegretum, Granum Nubiae, Nutmegs, and Olive Trees.

NYctegretum was admired by Democritus, amongst a few things; it is hot as fire, and hath thorny leafs, nor doth it rise from the ground. It must be dug up after the vernal Equinoctial, and dryed by the Moon-light for 30 dayes, and then it will shine in the night, Plin. l. 21. c. 11. It is also called Chenomychon, because Geese are afraid at the sight of it. In Nubia, which is Aethiopia by Aegypt, there is a grain that swallowed will kill living Creatures. A tenth part of it will kill them in a quarter of an hour, Scalig. Exerc. 153. s. 11. In Banda an Island of the Molucco's the Nutmeg growes, and it is covered with a cup for a shell, when 'tis ripe it is all covered over. Under the first covering the shell is not presently that covers the kernel, but a thick skin which the Arabians call Macin. The Olive-Tree if it be cropped at the first budding by a Goat, growes so barren, that it will never bear by any means; but if there be any other cause, the certain cure is, to lay open their roots to the Winter cold, Plin. l. 7. c. 14. The Olive and the Oak so disagree, that one planted by

the other will shortly die. The Lees of oyl mingled with Lime, if walls be plaistered with it, and the roofs, they not onely drop down all adventitious humours that they contract, but neither Moth nor Spiders will endure them, Mathiol. in Dioscor. It flowereth in July, the flowers coming forth by clusters. From whence grow first green berries, and they are pale as they grow ripe; then they become a full purple colour, and lastly black. They are pulled in November and December, then are they laid in pavements till they become wrinkled, then are they put in under a milstone, and are pressed out with pres∣ses, pouring scalding water on, and so they yield their oyl. The wood of the Tree burns as well green as dry. At Megoris a wild Olive Tree stood long in the Market-place, to which they had fastned the Arms of a valiant man; but the bark grew over it, and hid them for many years. That Tree was fatall to the Cities ruine, as the Oracle foretold, when a Tree should bear arms: for it so fell out when the Tree was cut down, spurs and helmets being found within it, Plin. l. 16. c. 29. The Olive Tree lasts 200 years, Plin. l. 16. c. 44.

CHAP. XXXII. Of the Palm-Tree.

THey say that the female Palm-Trees will bring forth nothing without the Males, which is confirmed when a wood growes up of its own accord; so about the Males, many females will grow en∣clining toward them, and wagging their boughes. But the male with branches standing up as it were hairy, doth marry them, by the blowing on them, and by standing near them on the same ground, Plin. l. 13. c. 4. When the Male is cut up, the females are in widow∣hood, and are barren. Hence in Egypt they so plant them, that the wind may carry the dust from the Male to the Female, but if they be far off, they bind them together with a cord Pontanus reports, that two Palm-Trees, one set at Brundusium, the other at Hydruntum were barren, till they were grown up to look one upon the other, and though it were so great a distance, yet they both did bear fruit. Dalechamp. ad lib. cit. Poets write thus of them:

A Tree there grew in large Brundusium Land, A Tree in Idumaea much desir'd, And in Hydruntum Woods one rare did stand, Like Male and Female, 'tis to be admir'd: On the same ground they did not grow, but wide Asunder, and they both unfruitful stood. They many leaves did bear, nothing beside; At last they grew so high, above the wood,

That of each other they enjoy'd the light. Then they grew fruitful, like to Man and Wife, Each in the other seem'd to take delight, And to be partners each of th'others life.

Cardanus reports, that in Data a City of Numidia, there was a Palm-Tree, the fruit whereof, unlesse the boughes of the flourishing male were mingled with the boughes of the female, the fruit was never ripe, but were lean with a great stone in them, and by no help could they be kept from consuming; but if any leaf or rind of the male were present, then they would grow ripe. Philo. l. 1. de vita Mo∣sis saith, that the vital force of it is not in the roots, but in the top of the stock, as in the heart, and in the middle of the boughes, that it is guarded about with all, as with Halberdiers. There is a kind of Palm-Tree growes in India, out of the stock whereof, the boughes being for that purpose cut in the moneth of August, a liquor like wine runs forth, that the Inhabitants receive in vessels: unlesse it be boy∣led, it growes sowr after 3. daies, Mathiol. ad l. 1. c. 126. Boyled, it is converted into most sweet honey, which afterwards is resolved in water, in 20 daies it is strained forth artificially, and so clarified it will last. But the Palm-Trees which Dioscorides calls Thebaicae, in time grow so dry in the Sun, that they are ground to make bread of them. Thevet speaks of a Palm-Tree that yields wine in the promon∣tory of Aethiopia, which is the fairest sort of Palm-Trees for height, and for being alwaies green. They cut it 2. foot above the ground to draw forth the juice. They let it run into Earthen vessels for their daily drink; and to make it keep, they cast in a little salt. It is like white Wine of Campania in colour and substance. Linschottus l. 4. America novae c. 26. reports; That in a place of the West-Indies, called St. John de portu divite, there growes a Palm-Tree that every moneth brings new leaves, and is loaded with Cocker-nuts. Pierius in Hieroglyph. saith it is an Emblem of the year, because this Tree alone at every new Moon sends forth several branches.

CHAP. XXXIII. Of the Plane-Tree, Apple-Trees, and the Tree called Pater-Noster.

OF old they gave so much honour to the Plane-Tree at Rome, that they infused the roots in Wine a long time to preserve them. In the Island of Candie there is one that never loseth its leafs, Plin. l. 1. c. 1. But there is a noted one in Lycia, by the way side, that is hollow like a house, the hollow cave in it is 81 foot wide, it hath a wooddy top, and vast boughes, like great Trees; it overshadowes the fields with its far casting sha∣dow;

and that nothing may be wanting to the likenesse of a Cave, there is a stony circumference within, that is full of mossy Pumex stones: the miracle is so great, that L. Matianus that was thrice Consul, thought fit to divulge it to posterity, that he and 18. more feasted in it. If Apples in winter be kept amongst Grapes, they so corrupt the Grapes, that they presently wi∣ther and corrupt. It is reported, that if a woman with Child eat Quinces, she shall be delivered of an industrious and witty child. Citron Apples keep garments from Moths and Worms; how good they are against poyson, you may know by examples out of Athenaeus. A Citron Apple hath cured some that were stung by Vipers. They keep longer uncorrupted, if they be put into a heap of Barley or Mil∣let. They cure Scabs, if they be cut in the middle, and powder of Brimstone be finely strewed upon them, and they be rosted in hot Embers, and so the Patient be rubb'd therewith. Apples of Sodome are fair to sight; but touched, they fall to ashes, Solin. c. 36. In Hispaniola there is a Tree called Pater noster, the fruit is as great as a Hasel nut: put this in boyling water, and dip a linnen or woollen Cloth in it, it will be died gallantly with diversity of spots, but it cor∣rodes with its over-great force, Ovetan. l. 9. c. 1.

CHAP. XXXIV. Of Pepper, Plantain, Pimpernel, wild Tansie, herb Paris, and Paper.

ROund black Pepper growes upon some weak branches like ten∣drels, that creep up to the tops of Trees by them, clinging about them. It growes like the fruit of the wild Vine in clusters, flourishing close together of a green colour till it become dry; which when it doth, (as it doth in October) it is gathered, and laid upon Palm-Tree coverlids in the open Sun to torrifie, and so it becomes black and shrivelled, Mathiol. l. 2. Diosc. c. 153. The root of the greater Plantain put in a little bag and bound with a thread near the Region of the heart, preserveth a man from the Plague. Scholtius re∣lates it for a certain remedy out of Monavius, Epist. 268. Pimpernel was found out by Prince Chaba, for with this alone were cured 5000 wounded Hungarians, after the battel, Clus. in Nomen. Pannon. stee∣ped in hot water it is approved for to cure a continual Feaver. It hath so great force against the disease called Hydrophobia, that who∣soever shall use it betimes in the morning for some dayes, in Sallets, or otherwise, after he hath been bitten, shall find no harm, Fernelius. Wild Tansey applyed to the palms of the hands, and soles of the feet, abates the heat of any Feavert, Mathiol. in l. 5. c. 37. In the berries of Herb Paris, there is found seed, that hath great vertue against Witchcraft. Some grow sottish by Chronicle diseases; others by Witchcraft. If these drink the seed, one dram, for 20.

days they are cured. Paper reed growes in the Lakes of Aegypt, or where the waters of Nilus have run over, and stand still, and are not above two Cubits high: the crooked root is as thick as ones arme, it hath triangular sides, it is not above ten Cubits in length, it runs up spire wise, like a Javelin. Plin. l. 13. c. 12. The Aegyptians made matter to joyne their Ships together with the inside of this bulrush, cutting off the tops of the reed; also they made Sailes and shoes of it. Herodot, l. 2. Onely the Priests wore those shoos, as Arist. writes. They were wont to sell, and to eat the lower part, of about a Cubit in length, and they were exceeding sweet, when they were torrified in an Oven. This was the chief meat of the Aegyptians, hence was the original of Paper. Dale∣champ. ad l. 13. Plin. c. 11.

CHAP. XXXV. Of the Oake, Rhubarb, Rape-root, and Rosa-solis.

IN Maritania, Oaks beare a long Acorn that tasts sweeter and more delicate than Chestnuts. Scaliger Exerc. 181. s. 26.

The land of the shore of Sinus Pucicus is Rocky, and the Clods of Earth are bituminous: there grow upon them pale shrubs, scarce a foot high. They have a kind of Okes, and Box-Trees, but they have no root. Scaliger saw one that was without knots and straight, 75, foot long. There were 30 Crowns offered for it. Scalig. Exerc. 166. A little above the Cauchi, Pliny, lib. 16. c. 1. writes that there were mighty ones, by the banks of two Lakes, which being either undermined by the waters, or blown down with the wind, pull'd up great Islands with them that they grew upon with their roots, and so standing equally ballanced, they sailed, being furnished with huge boughs. They oft terrified the Roman Navy, when as they were driven by the Waves as it were of purpose, and seen by those that kept watch on the decks. There was one in the Country of Thurirum that never cast its leaves, yet never budded till midsummer. Rheubarb grows only in China, and is brought by Usebech into Turkie, and so to Venice; The vertues of it are said to be notable, and they bring an example of an hydropick person, who having been in exceeding great danger, by the use of Rhubarb he was cured, and lived to be a very old man. Adolph. Occo in Scholtii Epist. The same man received a mortall wound by his Servant, after his disease, and the Chyrurgi∣ans expected he would dye in four days, or seven at farthest: he re∣covered, by Rhubarb, next under God. One writes thus of it, Came∣rar. Cent. 8. in 51.

Rhubarb is hot and dry; the belly binds; And opens Children, Women great with Child May safely use it, tis good for all kinds. Opens Obstructions, and gives purges mild,

Both Flegme and Choler, 'tis for'th stomach good, And helps the Liver, serves to clense the blood. Stops spitting blood, and ruptures, and we prise This root for weak folk, and dysenteries.

From the small seed of Rhubarb in 3•• months, so great a root grows that in some places it weighs 100 pound weight, Mathiol. in l. 2. c. 104. Mathiolus saw Turneps in the Country of Anamum, that one of them weighed 30 pounds. Those that are sowed in Summer, are free from Worms, mingling sutt with the seed when tis sowed; or else steep the seed a night in the juyce of the greater housleek. It hath been proved, Columella. By Harlem, Anno 1585. there was one dug up like a Mans hand with nails and fingers exactly. I saw the picture of it at Leyden with Cl. Bundarcius. Ros solis, or Sun dew, which shines un∣der the Sun like a Starr with his beams, hath its name from its admi∣rable nature for, though the Sun in summer shine long and hot upon it, yet the leaves of it are almost alwaies wet, and the down of them is alwaies full of drops. And which is admirable, that moysture that is contain'd in the cups of the leaves, so soon as you touch it with your fingers, while it yet growes on the ground, or else is pulled up pre∣sently, and held in the Sun beames, is drawn forth by and by into white threads like Silke, which harden immediately, and so conti∣nue ever after, Camerar. cent. 8. memorab. 98.

CHAP. XXXVI. Of Crow-foot, Rue, Rose-mary, Rose-root and rose-Tree.

CRowfoot, if Men eat it, will cause Convulsions, and draw their mouths awry. They seem to laugh that dye with it, Pausan. Also Salustius speaks of it: In Sardinia, saith he, there grows an herb called Sardea, like wild Smallage: this contracts the Mouths and Jaws of Men with pain, and kills them, as it were, laughing. Rue resists Venome, therefore a Weasel will carry it, when he fights with a Serpent. It is of a mighty greatnesse at Macheruntum, Joseph. l. 7. de bell, Juddic. c. 25. It was as high as any Fig-Tree, and had re∣main'd from the time of Herod. It is a singular remedy for the Epilepsy, as a Country man found by accident. Camerar, Cent. 3. Memorab. 36. He bruised it; and with the smell of the Rue he stopt the nose of this Epileptick person fallen, and presently he rose up.

Rosemary grows so plentifully in France that they burn it, so thick that they make Tables of it. It flowers both spring and fall▪ Mathiol. l. 3. c. 37. Barclay, in his Icon animarum. c. 4. writes thus of it in England: Rosemary in many Countries is costly ••y the very paines is us∣ed about it to cherish it; here it is common, and somtimes serves to make hedges for Gardens. Rhodium root is the most lively of all roots; for dug out of

the earth, unlesse it be laid up in very dry places, if it be planted again after many Months, it will grow. It grows on the highest Rocks where it hath scarse so much earth as to stick by. Mathiol. l. 4. c. 41. The Rosebush at Carthage in Spain is alwaies full of Roses in Winter, and was alwaies honour'd by the Romans; for they were wont to strew the leaves on their dishes of meat, and to besmear their Citron Tables with the juyce of them, that they might by reason of their bitternesse be free from Worms. Heliogabalus commanded to throw Roses on his Banqueting guests from the top of the Room, as if it rayned Roses. Dalechamp in l. 21. c. 4. That is wonderfull that is related concerning revification. There was a famous Physitian at Cracovia, who could so curiously prepare the ashes of every part of a Plant, that he would exactly preserve all the Spirits of them. The ashes waxing a little hot by putting a Candle to the Glasse, represent∣ed a Rose wide open, which you might behold growing by degrees▪ to augment, and to be like a stalke, with leaves, flowers, and at last a double Rose appeared in its full proportion; when the Candle was taken away it fell againe to ashes. Rosenberg Rhodolog, c. ult. The same thing allmost was done with a Nettle, as Quercetan testifieth in his History of the Plague. For when one would appoint a remedy against the stone, at the end of Autumn he pull'd a great many Nettles up by the roots, of these Nettles he made a lye the common way with hot water, and by strayning and filtring, he purified this lixivium, that he might at last produce salt artifi∣cially as he intended: but when he had set the lixivium all night to cool in an Earthen Vessel, the next day when he thought to Evaporate to extract the Salt; it hapned that night, that the ayre was so cold, that all the Lixivium was over frozen. When therefore in the Morning he purposed to cast that Lixivium out at the Window, besides his expectation he saw that all the water of the Lixivium was frozen, and a thousand figures there of Nettles were in it, so perfect with roots leaves and stocks, and shewing so exactly, that no Painter could paint them better.

CHAP. XXXVII. Of Scorzonera, Squills, Sage, and Scordium.

SCorzonera is no ancient Plant, Mathiolus first described it, l. ••. c. 137. It was found in Catalonia by an African servant: he that found it, shew'd that it was a present remedy against the bitings of Adders; he that will escape, must drink the juice. Of Squills, vine∣gar is made, of an admirable quality, saith Mathiolus, if one daily drink a little; his jawes and Mouth will never be ill, his stomach will be well, he will breathe well, see well, he will be troubled with no wind in his belly, and will be well coloured and long winded. He that useth this vinegar will digest his meat well, though he eat much: There will be no crudities in his body, not wind, nor choler, no dr••gs, nor will the urine or ordure passe away with over loosenesse,

Mathiol. in l. 2. c. 168. Of Sage they say, that it stops the flowing of the courses, if one smell to it; and eaten by one with Child, it will retain the child, and keep it lusty, Mathiol. in l. 3. c. 34. Hence it is that Agrippa calls it, sacred. If a woman drink a Hemina of the juice of it with a little salt the fourth day she hath abstain'd, and layn alone, and then lie with her husband, she will conceive. It is re∣ported, that in Coptus of Egypt, after a great plague, that the women drank it, and did bear many children. In many places of Asia they bear Apples; In Calabria of Consentia, Scaliger saith, Exerc, 168, that one did bring forth a gall of an Ash-colour, and that he saw it. Dead bodies are preserved by touching Scordium, Galen. l. 1. Antidot. For the dead bodies of those that fell upon the Scordium of Crete after they were slain in the War, did corrupt least, especially on that part whence the Scordium had touched them. It if it be boyl'd in wine, it is good to drink against stinging of Serpents, Const. de Febr. pest. c. 18.

CHAP. XXXVIII. Of Nightshade.

THere are many kinds of Nightshade: amongst these are Winter Cherries, the sleepy Nightshade, the greater and the spungy Nightshade; they seem to have some strange things in them. Hali∣cacabum is such an enemy to Vipers, that if the root be near them they die with deep sleep. Vesicarium hath long leafs, white flowers, out of which come forth green round bladders, with six divisions long waies, the seed within is murry colour, as great as Orobus; in the side of it is the figure as it were of a mans heart, with a white co∣lour. Nature framed it so, that we might know it was good for the diseases of it. Sleepy Nightshade, tasted causeth sleep: the Danes found that, by their example. For when by Sueno King of Norway besieged Duncanus King of Scotland in the Town of Perth; He calling forth Maccabaeus his Cousin-german, began to treat of surrendring up the place, and provision, Hector. Boet. l. 12. Scot. hist. The Danes ac∣cepted the conditions, and took what provision they had; but so soon as they had tasted of it, they were all so oppressed with sleep, (for their wine and beer were infected with Nightshade) that Maccha∣baeus vanquished them. Ten of them suspecting the gifts of Enemies were safe. These carried King Sueno like one that was dead, in a Fishers Boat to the mouth of Thais, and so home. The root of the greater Nightshade dryed, if half a dram of it be steeped in wine se∣ven dayes, it will so infect it, that if any one shall drink it strain'd, he can eat nothing; let him drink vinegar and it is presently gone, but if you take it too largely, it will strangle you. Franciscus Calce••∣larius of Verona was the first discovered this secret, and revealed it to others, Mathiol. in l. 4. c. cit. Of the tuberous Nightshade, the root

is spungy, sometimes as great as ones fist, as long as ones hand; where the stalk riseth, many fibrous roots come forth, that are spread on the ground; from these at the beginnining of the Spring, come up other stalks, and other bulbous roots grow with them; and it will propagate so many roots, that for one plant dug up in the Winter time, Bauhinus (ad loc. cit. Dioscor.) observed, that there were above 40 bunches belonging to it.

CHAP. XXXIX. Of Mustard, Satyrium, and the greater Saxifrage.

MUstard seed covered with Sugar, or eat with honey for junckates is a safe experiment; for stupidity proceeding from moisture, Horst. l. 2. de sanit. tenend. c. 1. Where the Uvula is fallen, this sawce will draw it up presently. Pythagoras esteem'd of it, because besides preserving ones health, it ascends high, into the closet of rea∣son where the mind resides. Pansa. Theor. spu. de pror. vit. c. 51. saith thus; I commend the infusion of this in sweet wine to all Scholers, chiefly in winter time. For it heats all the body, opens the mesaraick veins, and promotes the Chylus toward the Liver: For there is nothing better than to have a loose belly, and that helps it self. Satyrion is very good for venery, only touched. Theophrastus saith, it was proved 70 times in an Indian that brought it, and 12 times in others that touched it. Cynosorchis is like to this, whose greater root is full of flatulent matter, and causeth lust, the lesser restrains it. Great Saxi∣frage growes in Mount Baldus coming forth of a firm hard stone, and old walls of Cities, Mathiol. ad l. 4. c. 15. The root sticks so fast in rocks, that it cannot be pulled out but by sharp Irons: It is good to drive out stones; by the drinking thereof abundance of stones were driven forth at once, and they were as great as Beans.

CHAP. XL. Of the Turpentine, and Frankincense Trees.

TUrpentine Trees, are one male, the other female, Theophrast. l. 3. c. 25. The Male is barren, the female brings forth a red fruit, as big as a Lentil, which cannot be digested; Another kind of female brings forth green fruit, and it growes red afterwards; And last of all, like the grape, as it growes ripe, it becomes black, and is as great as a Bean. Egisippus l. 4. c. 3. de excid. Hierosol. writes, that in Memphis there was a Turpentine-Tree, that was set at the making of the World; and it was there in his dayes. Frankincense is bred in Ara∣bia in a private place almost in the middle of the Country, beyond the Aramites in the Land of the Sabaeans. The Minaei were the first

that found it out; and it is reported, that onely 300 Families have interest in it, and they keep it by succession. The people that are their Neighbours call them sacred. For when they cut the Tree, where the liquor runs forth, or when they gather it, they neither come at Funerals nor their Wives. They were wont to gather it, by cutting the bark of the Tree, at the rising of the Dog-star, because then it was most full of humours; that which dropt out of the Tree was received in a Palm-Tree covering, Scaliger Exerc. 49. It is there so cheap, that they carine ships with it instead of Pitch. But of Frankincense is made the best Medicament for blear and red eyes. It is said to cure in one night, Mathiol. ad l. 1. c. 73. Dioscor. A piece of Frankincense is put on a sharp point and burned, in a wax candle, then it is quenched in 4. ounces of Rose water; this is often done even to 30 times, then the water must be strain'd with a clean cloth, and the corners of the eyes must be anointed with a feather dipt in it, when the sick go to bed. If rednesse and tears increase with great pain, breast-milk will cure them, if you wash them therewith.

CHAP. XLI. Of Wheat and Thyme.

THere is nothing more fruitful than Wheat; for of one bushell if the ground be good, as in the Country of Bizacum in Africa, there will come 150 bushells, Plin. l. 18. c. 7. saith, That the Pro∣vider sent to Augustus, that grew from one grain ('tis hardly credible) 400 ears near upon: also he sent to Nero 340 strawes that sprang from one corn. The Fields of Leontini in Sicily yield 100 increase. In the Country of the Senones by the Sea side, one root hath born 24 ears, and one bushell hath sometimes afforded an hundred, Mathiol. in l. 1. Dioscor. c. 78. In Asia beyond Bactra, in a certain place Theophrastus writes it growes so great, that every grain is as great as an Olive stone, Theophrast. l. 8. c. 4. But he addes, that in Pissoris it is so strong, that he that eats too much will burst. The Indian Wheat hath a stalk like a Cane, that hath a white pith in it, like to Sugar-Canes, in the top whereof it puts forth branches divided and empty. The fruit wherein the Corn is shut up in thin covers, come forth of the sides of the stalk. The Ear is as great as the apple of the Pitch-Tree, there are round about it, clear white grains within as great as Pease, disposed of in 8. or 10. right lines on all sides. From the Top of the Cod, hang long shoots of the same colour with the corn, the Indians call it Malitz. It is steeped 2 dayes in water before they sow it; nor do they trust it, untill it be wet with rain. They reap it in 4 months: but that which growes in Eubaea is ripe in 40 dayes, Theophrast. lib. cit. Thyme begins about the Summer Solstice; and honey from thence is successefull for Bees and Bee-masters, Theophrast. l. 6. c. ••. If it put forth, its flowers; otherwise, the making of honey doth not succeed

well, the flower perisheth if a shower fall. There runs oyl from it of a golden colour, when the herb is distilled through a bath of hot water, when it is green. It tastes like a pome Citron, Mathiol. in l. 3. Dioscor. c. 37.

CHAP. XLII. Of Tobacco.

TObacco, or Nicotiana from the finder of it, is called also the holy Herb, the Queens herb; the herb of the holy Crosse, and Petum. It is well known to them that know the Indian Merchandise, and those that have smelt the fume of it in Britany, France, and the Low-Countries. It is sowed when the Moon increaseth, and cut down when she decreaseth. There is one kind call'd the Male, with a broad leaf; and another called the female, with a narrower leaf, but a longer stalk. The least seed of it falling of its own accord, lies safe in the coldest winter; and the next Summer, being carried into many grounds with the wind, cometh up of itself, Camerar. in hort. Nea••∣der in Tobaccolog. From the seed of the male, they say the female will spring, if it fall into a ground where Tobacco grew before, and that so fruitfully, that it will yearly grow up of it self. But it will not en∣dure the cold; but if it be well preserved, it will like Citron Trees continue all the year, and remain 4 years without damage, Monardus de simpl. medicam. As for the forces of it, it will cause thirst, hath an acrimonious taste, it troubles the mind, and makes head-ach, Neander. They that drink it too greedily, have fallen down dead, and stupified for a whole day, Benzon. l. 1. c. 26. hist. nov. orb. Hence it was that King James of famous memory King of England writ Mi∣socapnos. For he supposed it weakned the bodies of his Subjects. Yet many famous men have written high commendations of it. The Spaniards say, it resists poyson. For when the Cannibals had wounded them with poyson'd darts, they cured themselves with the juice of Tobacco, laying on the bruised leafs, Monard. loc. cit. The Ca∣tholick King made tryal of it on a Dog, wounded with a venom•••• weapon, and it cured him. Heurnius writes, that it oures perfectly the pain of the teeth, and takes away all the dolour. His words are; When I was vehemently pain'd with Tooth-ache about a year since, I boyled Tobacco in water with some Camomil flowers, and I held a spoonfull of the warm decoction in my mouth. I spit it forth, and used this for two houres▪ the pain abated: The next day (saith he) I went to my Garden in the Sub∣burbs as I was wont to do, and bending down with my head to pull up some grasse, there ran a moysture out of my nostrills; yellow as Saffron, it smelt like Tobacco, and all the pain of my teeth was gone. Never did blood, nor any thing but a flegmatick matter run forth of my nose in all my life, and I never saw any deeper yellow, than what ran now out of my nostrills. That it restores the sight, see Wiburgius ad Schnitz. Epist. 209. A certain

Maid had the pupil of her eye covered; he with the juice of the best Tobacco boyl'd to an unguent with May butter, and anointing the Eye outwardly with it, the eye being shut, effected so much, that none could discern it but those that stood close by. Clusius saith, That the Indians use to make pills with the juice of it and Cockle-shells brui∣sed, that will stop their hunger for 3. dayes. It is no wonder; for by resolving of slime that falls upon the stomachs mouth, it abates the appetite. Castor Durantes in an Epigram describes the vertues of it, thus:

An herb call'd Holy Crosse doth help the sight, It cures both Wounds and Scabs, and hath great might 'Gainst Scrophulous and Cancerous Tumours, Burnings, and Wild-fires, repressing humours; It heats, it binds, resolves, and also dries, Asswages pains, diseases mundisies. Pains of the Belly, Head or Teeth with ease It helps, old Coughs, and many a sad disease Of Spleen and Reins, and Stomach, and more parts, As Womb, sore Gums, and Wounds with venom'd darts Are cur'd thereby, with sleep it doth refresh, And covers naked bones with perfect flesh: For Breast and Lungs, when that we stand in need, All other herbs Tobacco doth exceed.

CHAP. XLIII. Of Trifoly, Teucrium, Thelyphonon, Yew, Thapsia, and Thauzargent.

TRifoly foreshews a tempest at hand, for when it is coming it will rise up against it. It hath been observed that when this hearb hath plenty of flowers, it portends many showers and frequent inun∣dations that year; and a few flowers, shew drinesse. Fuchs. in herb. It is called Cuccow bread, either because she feeds of it, or because it comes forth about the time the Cuccow sings; seven times in a day it hath a sweet smell, and seven times in the day it loseth it But pulled up it always holds it, and when a showr is coming, it will smell so sweet that it will fill all the houses. Teucrion otherwise Hermion neither beares flowers nor seed. It cures the Spleen, and they say it was so found out Plin. l. 25. c. 5. when the entralls were thrown upon it, they report, it stuck to the Spleen, and drew it empty, It is said that swine that feed on the root of it, dye without a Spleen. Thelyphonum hath a root like to a Scorpion, and put to them it kills them; but if you strew white Hellebour upon them, they will re∣vive again; it is scarce credible. Theophrast, l. 9. c. 19. The Yew brings forth berries that are red, and like red Wine; they that eat them fall into Feavers and Dysenteries. Cattel will dye if they eat the leaves

of it, and do drivel. Theophrastus writes it l. 3. c. 10. but Pliny con∣futes it, l. 16. c. 10. It is so Venemous in Arcadia, that it kills such as sleep under its shadows, Ovetan. Sum, c. 78. In India it makes the eyes and mouth of such as sleep under it to swell. Thap∣sia grows in the Athenian land▪ Cattle bred there will not touch it, but strange Cattle will feed on it, and there follows either a scow∣ring or death. Theophrastus, l. 9. c. 22. It grew famous by Nero: For he, when he had his face bruised by his revellings in the night, he annoynted it with Thapsia, wax, and Frankinsence, and beyond expectation it was whole the next day. For it wonderfully takes away bruised marks. Plin. l. 13. c. 22. Thauzangent is a root in the Western Mauritania of so good smel, that a smal quantity hanged about the roof of the house will make a gallant perfume. Scalig. Exerc. 142. s. 6.

CHAP. XLIV. Of the Vine.

VInes are somtimes infinite great. For in Campania, those that grow neere the tall Poplar Trees, run up by the boughs of them, with their joynts, till they come to the top, so that he that is bound to gather their grapes, is in danger of his life. Plin. l. 4. c. 1. Pliny saith, they will not easily corrupt. For the Image of Jupiter in the City Populonia, remain'd there many yeares uncorrupted, and the Temple of Diana of Ephesus, had staires to go up to the top, made of one Vine of Cyprus. Some of them do yeeld fruit thrice a yeare. Dalechampius saw it in ma∣ny places; at Lyons especially, in the Garden of Guilet Caulius. They are called mad Vines. Dalechamp, ad c. 27. s. 16. Plin. At the end of the Spring they send forth smal flowers like Starrs, set about with round scrapings like Silver, of a subspiceous colour; These being fallen off like to a little Starre, presently appear the clusters of Grapes, Lemnius in herb. bibl. c. 2 The smell of them drives away Venemous Beasts; the water that runs from the Vine, when it is pru∣ned, heals Scabs. Some catch it in a glasse bottle, and set it in the Sun a whole yeare, in the open ayre free from rayn. At last a honey substance congeles, which is of as great vertue as balsome. For it cleanseth, fills with flesh, conglutinates, takes away spots. Water distilled from the tender leaves of the Vine in May, is good for women that long; They suffer no harm, though they want it. Sennert. l. 4. p. 2. c. 2. From Grapes, Wine is pressed that we drink. The ver∣tues of it are divers as the Wines are; Lemn. de occult. l. 1. c. 16. The Wines of Poictou make men peevish and froward (for the Vapours of it prick the braine) but your Rhenish Wines are more gentle. In the Country of Goritium the Wine is highly commended, and next to that, is the Wine of Pucinum and Vipacum. Mathiolus, when he had a long time paines of the Stomach, by experience found the force of it.

Livia Augusta, owed her 82 yeares of her life to the Wine at Puci∣num. Plin. l. 14. c. 6. The Country people that inhabite Japidia, be∣cause they drink Wines neere Pucinum are seldom sick. Galen de The∣riaca, saith, that the best never grows sowr; and Pliny writes that some have lasted 200 yeares: when it is corrupted it becomes Vine∣gar, the natural heat being resolved. It is of an excellent vertue. For it hinders tempests, and the ruine of Sailers, and dissipates the ••aul••y ayre, suffering no humours to corrupt, Plin. l. 2. c. 48. Pearls are tu••••'d into Powder by it, as we have an example from Cleopatra, who objected to Antony that she alone would spend at one supper a hundred thousand Sestertii: and she took a Pearle out of her eare, the like was not found in the East Indies, and put it into a saw••••r of Vi∣negar, and when it was dissolved she drank it up; Plin. l. 9. c. 35. Aqua vitae is also made of it, which is otherwise called Elixir, the Golden water, the Heaven of the Philosophers, the quintessence, the Soul of Wine, the Divine water, and the Philosophers Key. Canonher. de admirand. vini. l. 1. c. 5. Physitians write wonders of it, which are impossible for ignorant people. It is thin, and the best part of it will flye into the ayre, that you would wonder at it. For the heat of it, kept inwardly by help of the motion of the Ayre, resolves the thin substance into a Vapour. Cardan. de Aethere. Things steeped in it, in 24 hours lose their vertues, Heurn. l. 1. prax. Medic. It is an Antidote for all things, Mathiol. in Dioscor. l. 6. and not only drank but spurted out of ones mouth into anothers face, it recalls Epileptick and hystericall persons, restoring lost speech, Antonius della Scarpa∣ria, when he was 80 yeares old, said, O Aquavitae for 22 years I owe my life to thee. Savanarola of the art of making Aquavitae simple and com∣pound. Francis the first, Duke of Mantua was much delighted with it: for having a cold Stomach he was troubled with wind. His words are these, That he had tried all remedies, and found none so good as Aquavitae, Canonher loc. cit. Quercetan shews an unusuall way of trying Wine, in Diaetetica in these words: All the Gascony Wines that must be transported by Sea, are brought to Burdeaux, there they are laid in Wine-Cellers for publick use, that are wonderfull long and broad, so that they may be truly called the Wine-Market, without the City a little way: and there they are set in close order, only a place is left between the ranks to draw Wine at. The Merchants that come to buy Wines and are cunning, care not so much to taste the Wines that are good, but they will go over all the Wine-Vessels, and so they can tell by treading on them which are the most spiritful Wines, and lightest, and those they seal▪ For they go lighter and nimbler on the best Wines, than on the grosser and more earthly Wines, for they make their passage more heavy. There be wonders of it in Pliny l. 14. c. 18. In Arcadia it makes wo∣men barren, and men mad. Theophrast. l. 6. c. 19. In Achaia it causeth abortion; if Bitches, eat Grapes they cast their whelps, Victor l. 7. c. 23. They that drink Traezenium, lose their generative faculty. In Thasias one kind causeth sleep, another makes men wake. In Aegypt, the Grape is sweet and purgeth the belly, in Lycia it binds it.

CHAP. XLV. Of Xaqua and Zuccarum, or Sugar.

XAqua is a Tree in Hispaniola; The fruit is like to Poppie, and a clear white water runs forth of it, and whatsoever is sprink∣led with it, grows like black, so that no washing will make it clean. In 20 dayes it parts from the rind, of it self. Ovetan Summ. c. 77. There are two kinds of Zuccarum, one from Canes, another from an hearb; There is another kind from an Indian Tree, called Haeoscer, Scalig. Exerc. 164. But this is scarce Sugar, but the thinner part of milk compacted by heat, which falling forth of the buds and roots of the leaves, thickneth into a gum. They say the fruit is like to Ca∣mels Testicles; Out of any part of the Tree cut, Milk runs forth so hot, that it is held for the best meanes to take off haire. The Inha∣bitants make their skins smooth with this. There are two kinds of the true one is got out of Canes two ways, for either it is pressed out and boyl'd to the whitenesse of Sugar; or it comes forth of it self from the reeds, like teares. From the Indies formerly they sent it, so gather∣ed with their other Merchandise. That which is called Sugar-Can∣dy was carried about, in reeds. Histories testify, it was made natu∣rally. For at Dathecala in the Indies, it is sold for Merchandise. In St. Thomas Island, the reeds yeeld it every Month. In the fifth Month they are ripe, and are cut down, and are grund and pressed for the juyce: what remaines is given to Fowle and Hogs, and it will fat them wonderfully, and it will make them so tender and delicate, that no hens flesh can be better, for those that are sick, to feed on. Another kind of Sugar, sweats-out wonderfull strangely. The Arabi∣ans and Aegyptians call it Tigala. They say a little Worm doth eate the hearb; whence Sugar swells forth, and grows together in little peices. It quencheth thirst, is good for the Chest, and takes away a Cough.

CHAP. XLVI. Of other Miracles of some Trees.

NAture is rich; and her riches are so various, that they not only de∣light our understanding but exercise our industry. Truly besides what we have said, there are many wonderfull things. In the Island Tylos, there are Trees that beare Wool, and their fruit is guords, as big as Quinces: these breaking when they are ripe, shew balls of Down or Cotton, of which they make pretious linnen garments, Plin. l. 12. c. 10 In great Java they say there is a rare Tree, whose pith is Iron: it is very small, yet runs from the top to the bottom of the Plant. The fruit that grows on it, is not to

be pierced with Iron. Scaliger calls it, Exerc. 181. s. 27. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, In the Island Cimbubon there is another whose leaves, fallen down up∣on the earth, do move and creep. It hath leaves like the Mulberry-Tree. They have on both sides like two little feet; pressed, they yeeld no liquor. If you touch them, they flye from you. One of them kept 8, dayes in a dish lived, and moved so oft as one touched it; Scalig. Exerc. 112, in Malavar there is a plant that contracts it self, if any one puts his hand to it; and if you pull back your hand, it re∣covers it self again. Garzias ab horto. That which he described from Costa, under the name of Mimosa hortensis, put your hand to it, it withers; take it away, it grows green again. The same Authour says that there is a certain Tree that is full of faire sweet flowers all night, but so soon as the Sun riseth, it withers: yet whatsoever this is, it may be ascribed to the tenuity of the Spirits of it. But Linschot saith, there is one that is contrary to this. In Virginia there is an hearb that the leaves are good Silk, and they take it off like a thin shining Mem∣brane. It is two foot and a half high, the leaves are two foot long, and half a foot broad. In England, there vvas made a triall of this in weaving. For of this plant the whole Web made, vvas silk and approo∣ved for good. Arioth. in Verginia, In America there is the flower of Granadilla, in which may be seen the instruments of Christs passion, the Nails, the Rod, the Pillar, the Crown, the Wounds. Mejer de Annat. Scoticis. That Libav. l. 4. de orig. rer. ascribes to Imagination, And, saith he, a friend of mine hath a Cherry-stone, upon which may be seen 120 faces. In the Northern Island there are Rocks of Loadstone. If Beeches grow upon them, they are turn'd into Loadstone, Olaus, l. 2. c. 1. There is also in Musicanum an Indian Tree extreme high, the boughs of it are above 12 Cubits long, and it not only grows down∣wards of it self, but it fastneth in the ground of its own accord, and roots anew, and from thence arise new Trees; the boughs do thus bow down also, and cause more Trees, and thus they will grow in ranks, that they will make an Arbour for 400 men to walk under. Not far from Malacca there is another, that hath many roots, and as they divide severally into parts, so are they of different vertues. For those parts that look toward the East are an Antidote against poyson, but the parts toward the West are poyson. Senar, res, p. 4. c. 17. A certain fiery root cut in pieces, if it be set right over against a burn∣ing Candle, at first it makes it blink, and at last it puts it out, and that hath been often proved. Biker in. proph. s. 2. There was a firr Tree very admirable, seen in a Ship, which brought it from Aegypt by the command of Caius the Emperour. There was a foursquare obelisk set up in the Vatican, and he brought four blocks of the same stone to support it. The thicknesse of that Tree was as much as four men could fathom. Plin. l. 16. c. 40. The root of the hearb Aproxis takes fire a great way off, Plin. l. 24. c. 17.

From Trees in India, as high as Cedars or Cypresse Trees, and with leaves broader then Palm-Tree leaves, (they are called Carpi••n) an oyle distills that is taken with wooll pressed against the Trees, and

you may smell it five furlongs off. In the same Authour we read of the Tree Parebo that grows only in Kings Gardens; it is as great as an Olive Tree, without flower or fruit; but under the earth the roots are as thick as a mans arm. Nine inches of it will draw Gold, Sil∣ver, Brasse, Stones, or any thing but Amber; but an ell of it will draw Sheep and Lambs. The weight of an Obolus cast into water, will make it congeal; and wine also, that you may work it in your hands like wax, yet the day after it will resolve again, Libav. l. 2. debitum c. 6. this seems to be a stinking ly, if it be not well interpre∣ted; but surely a Philosopher cannot want that interpretation: you shall find it loc. cit.

CHAP. XLVII. Of Wonders of Trees.

SOme are found that bear no leafs; And Pliny l. 17. c. 25. tells us of a Vine and Pomegranate Tree, that did bear fruit on the body or stem, not on the branches or boughes; and of a Vine that had fruit without leafs; and of Olive Trees, that the berries remain'd when the leafs were fallen. We said, that an Olive Tree burn'd down quite, will grow again; and in Boeotia Fig-trees eaten with Worms will bud again, At Pausania in Arcadia, the Oke and Olive Tree will grow both upon one root, Dalechamp. ad loc. cit. The same at Corinth, called Hercules Club, from a wild Olive Tree, took root and grew again: When Xerxes came to Laodicea, a Plane-Tree became an Olive Tree. A Tree sank into the ground at Cumanum, a strange thing, a little before the Civill Wars of Pompey; onely a few boughs were to be seen. At Cyzicum before Mithridate's siege, a Fig-Tree grew out of a Bay-Tree, when he with 100000 men, and many horse; fought against that City, Strabo l. 12. A green Palm-Tree was seen to grow up amongst the Tralles in the Temple of Victory under Caesar's Sta∣tue, where the stones joyned, and it was of a great bignesse, Valer. l. 1. c. 6. Also at Rome, in the Capitol, in the head, (some explain that to be the top of the house) twice in the War with Perseus did a Palm-Tree spring forth, presaging Victory and Triumph. When this was thrown down with Tempests, in the same place a Fig-Tree grew up. When M. Messalus, and C. Cassius were Censors, A. P. Sulpicius being Pro-Consul, Letters were brought from Macedonia with news, That a Bay-Tree grew up in the stern of a Galley. Last∣ly, the year before this, in Silesia a little Tree in the battlements of the walls of the Church was changed into a Palm-Tree: Religion was changed after that. Not without being revenged; for the change of the Species gives us hope of it.

The End of the Fifth Classis.