Cochlearia curiosa: or The curiosities of scurvygrass. Being an exact scrutiny and careful description of the nature and medicinal vertue of scurvygrass. In which is exhibited to publick use the most and best preparations of medicines, both Galenical and chymical; either for internal or external use, in which that plant, or any part thereof is imployed. Written in Latine by Dr. Andreas Valentinus Molimbrochius of Lipswick. Englished by Tho. Sherley, M.D. and physitian in ordinary to His present Majesty.

THE PROEM.

BEfore I enter upon my Curio∣sities of Scurvygrasse, I think it convenient, in the first place to give an Account of Certain Admi∣rable Plants, amongst which the Rosa Sinica, or China Rose, so called from the Place of its growth, is not the least considerable. It grows upon Trees, which every day change. Co∣lour twice, some times it is altogether purple, and then again it becomes

totally white; and is absolutely with∣out smell. * 1.1 Athanasius Kircherus in his China Illustrata makes mention of this Rose: where he also tels us, that at Rome, that Noble Botanist Francis∣cus Corvinus, in his Garden furnished with all sorts of Plants, hath a Plant called Viola Nocturna, or the Night Violet, which according to the Suns rising, or Setting doth sensibly change its Colours. In the day time it hath no smell, but in the Night it breathes forth a most pleasant odour.

Of the Rosa Hierochuntina, or Ie∣richo Rose, many relate that tho it be dry, and an hundred year old, yet every Christmas day, in the prece∣dent night, betwixt the hours of eleven, and twelve, it begins to blow, or open it self of its own accord, and at length its leaves are fully blown, and expanded, after which it gathers in its branches, and shuts it selfe up in the forme of a bud. But this truly is a Fable; for every day if it be put in wine, or water, it will open it selfe, and being taken out of the Liquor it will again contract it selfe: the truth

of which I can satisfie any person in for I have such a rose which I pro∣cured for this intent, that I might administer to women afflicted, with hard labour, called by the Grecians 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a draught of wine, in which this Rose hath first expanded it selfe, for the water in which this hath been infused doth greatly promote the delivery of women in Travel, as hath been observed hitherto by many; and amongst the rest it hath been noted by Erasmus Franciscus (in the Gardens of Pleasures in the East and West-Indies b 1.2 But I rather use wine than water, which seems more agree∣able to reason, because it is most apt to revive the spirits, which is ne∣cessary in difficult Labour. This is called the Iericho Rose, because it is supposed to grow in the Gardens, and Fields about the City of Iericho in Palestine (which place is often men∣tioned in the Sacred Scripture) but this is a mistake, as appeares by Baronius 2. Observat. c 1.3 & Munstero in Cosmograph: in descript, Civitatis Hie∣richo. writing thus: I have bought them brought thither by strangers

from the adjacent parts of Arabia, where it growes on the Sea shore upon the sand, Rau Wolfiius saith he found a wild sort of them in Syria among their Cottages, and Ruined Buildings. Caspar Bauhinus d 1.4 tels us he produced it several years toge∣ther in his Garden, for it easily grows and flourishes. It is also called Rosa Hierosolymitania & Rosa Sanctae Mariae. The Rose of Ierusa∣lem, and the Rose of Saint Mary. But whether it be a Rose or Asphalthus, Rose∣wood or Convolvulus, Bindweed or Amomum Dioscondis, or Bitterweed; or Erica, Heath, or else a Violet, or Dame-violets, I leave others to judge, for there are Authors, who relate it to all these kinds, but I shall proceed.

Matthiolus in Epistola nuncupato∣ria, writes of an Herb, which, touch∣ing any place that is locked, causeth it to open. He also asserts, in the same place, that he saw a man at Venice, (who was condemned to be hang∣ed) who by applying only one herb, with certain ceremonies, made all doors fly open, and thrust back their Locks,

The same Faculty also hath ano∣ther herb, not known in Italy, and growing in the Mountains, upon which, if Horses tread, it looseth their Iron shoes. e 1.5 Athanas, Kercher. de Mun. Subterran. They commonly call this herb from this effect, Scoffoca∣vallo, and suppose that it is a sort of Lunaria or Moonwort.

There growes in Iudea a Root cal∣led from the place Baharas, which as Iosephus de Bello Iudaico tels us is of the colour of Flame, and shines, and sparkles like Lucifer, or the Dog Star; it also refuseth to be plucked up by any that desire it, until it be sprink∣led with a Womans Urine, or Men∣struous blood.

There is a certain Herb called Asci∣omenes, which, as Apollidorus saies, being sprinkled with wine, doth con∣tract its leaves into its self. And ano∣ther growing in our Country about most places and Brooks, by Bauhinus supposed to be a sort of Balsamina or Balm Apple: of many others it is cal∣led Persicaria Siliquosa, or codded Arsemart, which▪ assoon as it is but slightly touched with the hand, the

seeds fly out of the husk into your face, and for that cause it is called herba impatiens, or Noli me tangere, impatience, or touch me not. I have often observed and gathered this Herb (when I studied the Knowledge of Herbs) at Lipswick, where it grows not far from the Cabbage Gar∣dens. (Kohl Garten.) Agreeable with this is Herba viva, or the living Herb, which is mentioned by Simon Paulus f 1.6, which altogether refuseth to be touched, and which this Author saw contract it self at the slight touch of a Toad. If this herb be laid hold of, it appears to be absolutely wither∣ed, and dry; but if you take away your hand, it recovers its colour and freshness again. And Bauhinus g 1.7 saies, it withers or growes fresh again, as often as you lay hold of it, or re∣move your hand from it.

The beforementioned Simon Pau∣lus in the same place remembers ano∣ther Plant, which he calls Mimosa, which cannot endure to be touched, and perisheth if it be, but doth not contract it self so soon, nor so soon expand its leaves, as the other doth,

after touching. Bauhinus h 1.8 writes it is of the colour and taste of Liqui∣rise, and doth agree in many things with wilde Foene-greek.

Of Indian Fern the same Simon Paulus i 1.9 relates, that its true, it will suffer it self to be touched, but then afterwards its leaves do wither and die, as if they were corrupted with a Gangrene.

In the Isle Cambabon there is a Tree, whose leaves are very like a Mulberry Tree, but on both sides it hath two sharp and short feet, which, when it is touched, it goes away. Bauhinush 1.10 and Theophrastusl 1.11 mention a certain Tree, growing near Memphis, which hath nothing peculiar, either in its leaves, boughs, or form, but in its event: for to look upon, it is prickly, and its leaves are like Fern, but if any body touch its branches, they say it does as it were dry, and languish, and contract themselves, but a little while after they return to life again.

There grows (as we are told by Fran∣ciscus Lopaiz) a Plant in Peru, whose leavs, being touched, grow very dry.

Borellusl 1.12 writes thus of a Sensitive

Plant found out by him;

I can glo∣ry, saith he, that I first found moti∣on in the flower of a Plant sufficient∣ly known, which I will name to you, least any body take from me my due praise, which many times hath hap∣ned to me, &c. And a little after: The Flowers Iateac Aromaticae Knap∣weed, whilst they are in Vigour and and full strength, and whilst there is to be perceived, as it were, a mea∣liness upon the Flowers, if the least part of the herb be touched; its hairy strings will contract themselves, so that the left part will gather it self up, the right side being touched; and so on the contrary. But you must care∣fully take heed, that you do not re∣peat this action in the same Flower. The same thing may be done with the wilde Iacent and Thistle, where∣fore I do not doubt, but if curious search were made, but that many such Plants may be found; nay, I af∣firm for a truth, that all plants have an obscure sort of Sense, but some more obscure than others.

Thus far Borellus.

There is also an Herb (which as Ni∣cholas Monardus testifies) sheweth in dis∣eases

whether the sick shall live or die.

The Spaniards relate that in a Pro∣vince of the West-Indies, there is a certain Tree like a Pare Tree, whose fruit being eaten, doth wonderfully provoke Venery even to a miracle. Theophrastus mentions a Plant, of which he that eates is enabled to lie with a Woman seventy times together.

Also the Herb called Ossifraga, is very wonderful by reason of its Pow∣er to soften Bones; of which Tho. Bartholinus m 1.13 takes notice. They say if Oxen eat of it, it renders them unapt to go, and makes their Bones so soft, that they may be twisted a∣bout like a switch, but they do not die, but may be recovered, if they give them the Bones of some other Beast destroyed by this Herb. V. B. Sachsii Scholion in dictam Observatio∣nem n 1.14, & Simon Paulus o 1.15.

Iacob Bontius p 1.16 speaks of ano∣ther Plant growing in Molucca, which produceth a Seed like Barley, but it is blacker, and more hairy. It also growe in other parts of the Indies upon the Continent, and doth so confirm, and strengthen the bones,

that if the Teeth be onely moistened with the juice of it, they are inabled to grind a Flint to powder.

There grows a fruit in a Province of China, which the Chineses call Peci, this being put into the mouth with a piece of Copper, it doth not onely so soften the Copper, that it may be broken with the Teeth, but doth con∣vert it into so excellent a substance, that it may be eaten q 1.17.

In Tartary there grows an Herb like hemp, excepting that it hath not so strong, nor hard a stalk, which fal∣leth to pieces or dissolves, and as it were becometh dirt, if it be put into water; but if it be cast into the Fire, it will never be burned, or consum∣ed. In the same place also, and it is worthy our Admiration, it is related by Benzo r 1.18 of a Tree which sweats forth water from its leaves constant∣ly. This is also taken notice of by Franciscus Erasmus in his Garden of Pleasure. They write, that in all that Island there is no other water to be found, but what comes from that Tree; which is perpetually covered with a Thick Cloud, excepting when

the Sun shines very hot upon it. Some there are, that suspect this Place to be the Rainy Island of Pliny and Solinus; for so Pliny lib. 6. cap. 32.

In an Island called Ombrion, there are Trees like to Ferula, Fennel Giant; from which they press out Water, that which is got from the black sort is bitter, but that which comes from the white is pleasant to drink, But Benzo and Linscotus attributes this to a Tree, that hath leaves like the Wal∣nut, tho somewhat bigger, and are perpetually green, it hath its fruit in the bark of it, hanging out like Acrons with a sweet Kernel and exceeding Aromatical Taste. There are more∣over other Trees admirable upon the account of their largeness, upon which they build little houses.

There is a Tree called Licondo, so great that it can contain two hundred men with their Arms, and Oars, of the Trunk of which they make Boats in the Kingdom of Congo. He that desireth to know more of this kind, let him read Linscotus de Ind. Orien∣tal.

Nay they say in China there are

found leaves, which falling into a Lake, or Pond, become Birds; and Roses, which twice a day change colour, now being purple, and then afterwards appearing of a whitish colour, as is related before of a cer∣tain Tree; also whose leaves, if they fall on the Ground, become flying Birds, if into the water, they are changed into Fishes.

Claudius Duratus relates there are Trees in Scotland, whose fruit wrapt in their leaves, if they fall into the water, are transmuted into Birds. Sebastianus Munsterus in sua Cosmo∣graphia speaks of these Birds, which, because of their bigness are called Geese; but Authors that write of them do not agree in the thing; for some hold they are produced from the leaves of the trees; others from the Apples or fruit; others from the rotten plancks of a Ship. But what is to be thought of these Birds ap∣pears from Sennertus s 1.19, and Sper∣ling t 1.20. I affirme that nature ob∣serves her Lawes in the generating both of Geese, of wood, and of Ap∣ples. I therefore say, and affirm,

that the seeds and eggs of these Geese are contained in that Sea, and from them, not from the Apples, nor from the wood, nor from the water these Geese are produced. So that whether the Apples, or wood are put into the water, or not, yet these Geese shall be generated there. Of this see more in the newly cited Sennertus and Sperling D. L. and Kipping u 1.21; and Caspar Bauhin. w 1.22 by whom almost all Authors that have writ of this subject are cited.

Nor can I omit in this Place the Planta Haemagoga, or herb, that cau∣seth Bleeding, which is mentioned by Galen x 1.23; which only by tou∣ching at first draws the blood out of the veines and then kills. But this is ranked among the fabulous reports of the Ancients by Ioh. Baptista Syl∣vaticus, and Hen. Petreus y 1.24: but Zacut. Lusit. z 1.25 doth stoutly defend the thing, and accurately answers the Reasons brought against it by Sylva∣ticus. Borellus a 1.26 tells us of D. Laugerius, an incomparable Herbalist and Physitian which found this Herb about the Latarran: and that he says

also that Simon Cortand had likewise found it, and saw its effects even to Amazement; for when it was applyed to the thigh of a sick person of a san∣guine Complexion, the blood run from thence every way in streams, so that they were forced to apply the Load∣stone to stop it. He describes it to be a mountain Plant, and that it is found among the Pyrenaean Mountains as far as the Alps, and hath leaves like sage.

The same Borellus b 1.27 mentions a certain Clandestine or hidden herb, which may be deservedly reckoned among wonderful plants, He describes is thus;

It is found in the Spring time, it is hidden and lurks under the earth, as if it were of an envious nature, it is called Clandestina Ma∣dronna Occulta, and by many other names, it is hard to find, and hath been known but a few ages since. It is described by Dalacampius in his last book of Plants, but there is two sorts found with us, which he knew not of, he only describing the purple sort. But I can certainly aver, there is a sort to be found with a white flower, tho it be rare

its flowers lay a few daies in heaps above the earth (like Adders tongue and Moonwort,) but the leaves are hidden, white, thick and gathered up as it were a pine nut, &c.

Also a certain sort of Orchidis, or Dogs stones, deserves admiration, for it so represenrs the forms both of Bees, Spiders, Flyes, Butterflies, Birds, and Men, so that there is no mem∣ber in these Insects, Birds, or Men, which nature hath not expressed in these Plants, insomuch that the com∣pleat humane structure, under both sexes, is found formed in the flowers of this Plant. Vid. Athanasius Kir∣cherus c 1.28, & Dom. D. Martinus: Bernhardi à Bernite d 1.29.

I could produce more of such kind of Plants, did not my intended Design prohibit it; for now it is fit I come to my Description of SCURVYGRASS, which tho it be not so wonderful, as these before recited Plants, it is nevertheless con∣siderable in this, that it is one of the chief Curers of the Scurvy, and there∣fore it growes in no other Places, but where this disease is common, as shall be proved by and by.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cap. 4. part. 4. p. 176.
• b 1.2

  P. 1. p. 357▪
• c 1.3

  Cap 86.
• d 1.4

  Lib. 12. Pi∣nac. sect. 4. p. 484.
• e 1.5

  Lib. 12. pag. 412:
• f 1.6

  Class. 3. qua∣dripart, Bo∣tanic. p. 302.
• g 1.7

  Lib. 10. Pi∣nac. sect. •••• p. 369.
• h 1.8

  Bauh. lib. 1. pag 360.
• i 1.9

  Simon Paul. Cap. 1.
• h 1.10

  Bauh. lib 12. Pinac. sect. 6. p. 51••.
• l 1.11

  Theoph. lib. 4. hist. 3.
• l 1.12

  Borel. Cent. 1. histor. & Obser. canor. Medico. Phys. 100. p. 98:
• m 1.13

  Tho. Barth. Obs. 38. in An∣no 1. Ephemer. Natur. Curios. p. 125, 126.
• n 1.14

  Pag. 126.
• o 1.15

  Sim. Paul. Quadripart. Botan. Clas. 4.
• p 1.16

  Iac Bon. lib. 5. Med. Ind. c. 33.
• q 1.17

  V. Ephemes Erud. 32. Tom. 2. p. 367.
• r 1.18

  Benzo in De∣scrip. Ins. Ca∣nar. Occid. part. 6.
• s 1.19

  Sen. Hypom∣nem Phys. c. 8. p. 405.
• t 1.20

  Sperl. Instit. Ph••s. l. 1. c. 7.
• u 1.21

  Kipp. Instit. Philos. natur. lib. 7. c. 12.
• w 1.22

  Casp. Bauh. Pinac. l. 12. sect. 6.
• x 1.23

  Gal. l. 4. purga••. Med. facult. c. 4.
• y 1.24

  Hen. Petr. l. 1. Dissertat. Harmonic. 12. quaest. 355 pag. 25••.
• z 1.25

  Zac. Lus l. 2. de Med. Princ. Histo••. 4. p. 184.
• a 1.26

  Borell. Cen••. 4. Hist & observ. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Medico Phys. 90. p. 34••.
• b 1.27

  Borel. cent. 1. l. Hist. & obs. 30. p. 35▪
• c 1.28

  Athan. Kirch. l. 12. de mun. subter. l. 1. c. 9. p. 348.
• d 1.29

  D. Mart. Bern. obs. quae. 41. est Tom. 2. Miscel. Curios. p. 73.