Theatrum botanicum: = The theater of plants. Or, An herball of a large extent containing therein a more ample and exact history and declaration of the physicall herbs and plants that are in other authours, encreased by the accesse of many hundreds of new, rare, and strange plants from all the parts of the world, with sundry gummes, and other physicall materials, than hath beene hitherto published by any before; and a most large demonstration of their natures and vertues. Shevving vvithall the many errors, differences, and oversights of sundry authors that have formerly written of them; and a certaine confidence, or most probable conjecture of the true and genuine herbes and plants. Distributed into sundry classes or tribes, for the more easie knowledge of the many herbes of one nature and property, with the chiefe notes of Dr. Lobel, Dr. Bonham, and others inserted therein. Collected by the many yeares travaile, industry, and experience in this subject, by Iohn Parkinson apothecary of London, and the Kings herbarist. And published by the Kings Majestyes especiall priviledge.

PLANTAE VENENOSAE NARCOTICAE NOCIVAE, ET ALEXIPHARMACAE: VENEMOVS SLEEPIE AND HVRT∣full Plants, and their Counterpoysons. CLASSIS TERTIA, THE THIRD TRIBE. (Book 3)

CHAP. I. Aconitum Lycoctum. Wolfes Bane.

I Have in my former booke given you the knowledge and description of some of the Aconites or Wolfes bane, and therefore I shall not neede to describe them againe, I will onely recite them unto you, and so follow on with the rest: those already set forth are these, Aconitum hyemale, Winter Wolfes bane, Aconitum luteum Ponticum praecox. The earlier whitish yellow Wolfes bane. Napellus verus flore caeruleo, Blew Helmet flower, or Monkes hood, and Anthora, the holsome helmet flower or counter∣poyson Monkes hood; yet some of their figures I will insert among the rest.

1. Aconitum Ponticum serotinum flore albido. Late flowring Wolfes bane.

This late pale yellow or whitish Wolfes bane, hath as large leaves as the other, that I have set forth in my former booke, and divided into as many partitions, cut also on the edges somewhat deepely, but of a fresher greene colour, and not rising or springing up out of the ground, for almost a moneth after the former is come up; the stalke with leaves thereon, riseth to be foure or five foote high, as the other doth, and with as long a branched head, of pale yellow coloured flowers, almost whitish, as it doth; but flowreth later by almost a moneth, than the other: the cods, seede, and rootes, differ not from the other.

2. Aconitum flore Delphinii majus. The greater leafed Wolfes bane, with Larkes heele flowers.

This Wolfes bane, hath diverse greene leaves, rising from the roote, of a very sad or darke greene colour, standing upon reasonable long foote stalkes, cut in on the edges, into five deepe divisions for the most part, even to the stalke, somewhat rough or hairy, each part whereof is also dented about the edges: from among which riseth up a reasonable great and strong hairy round stalke, about two foote high, having some such like leaves thereon, as grow below; at toppe whereof is set many flowers spike fashion, one above another, which are fashioned somewhat like those of Larkes heeles but larger and thicker, with a short thicke crooked heele, behind them, of a very dead or sad blewish purple colour, seeming as if they were rugged or crumpled withall, which addeth a greater evill favourednesse unto them, on the outside, but of a little fresher or more lively blew colour, and smooth on the inside: after which doe come diverse small rough cods, standing together like as other Aco∣nites and Columbines doe, wherein is conteined a rugged blacke seede: the roote is somewhat thicke long and blackish, with diverse fibres and long stringes fastned thereunto, whereby it taketh strong hold in the ground: both stalkes and leaves dye all downe to the ground every yeare, and shoote forth new every spring.

3. Aconitum flore Delphinii minus. The finer leafed Wolfes bane with Larkes heele flowers.

The lesser Larkes heele Wolfes bane, hath diverse smooth greene leaves, upon very long foote stalkes, but they are not altogether so large, or of so sad a greene colour, and much more finely cut in and divided into many jagges or parts, than the former: the stalke also riseth not up so high, and beareth some smaller and finer leaves thereon, which endeth in a smaller spike or head of almost as large flowers, with a short spurre or heele be∣hind, as the other, but of a fairer blewish purple colour, and more lively, as well on the outside as inside: the cods and seede are like the former, but the roote differeth having three or foure thicke short blackish rootes, en∣ding in small long points, fastned together at the head.

[illustration]

1. Acomitum luteum Ponticum serotinum. Late flowring Wolfes bane.

2. 3. Aconitum flore Delphi•• majus & minus. The greater and lesser Wolfes hane with Larkes heele f••

4. Aconitum caeruleum minus sive Napellus minor, The small blew Helmet flower.

5. Aconitum Lycoctonum pracox. The early flowring Wolfes bane.

[illustration]

6. Aconitum caruleum autumnale The harvest Helmet flower.

7. Aconitum maximum coma mutante. Great Woolfes bane with a bending top.

4. Aconitum caeruleum minus, sive Napellus minor. The small blew Helmet flower.

The small blew Helmet flower riseth up with a round greene stalke, two or three foote high, whereon grow divers darke greene shining leaves, cut into five partitions very deepely, each of them somewhat cut in on the edges, very like unto the leaves of the greater blew Helmet flower, but that these are not so finely devided, and the divisions are somewhat broader: the top of the stalke is divided into two or three branches, each where∣of beareth one flower, and seldome two or three, of a very faire deepe blewish purple colour, very like in forme unto the other great Helmet flower, but that the flower is smaller, and the crest of the Helmet riseth higher, then in that; after which come small pods like the other, and such like seede: the roote is round like a Bulbous, big below and small above, and encreaseth thereby, giving such like rootes, with smaller fibres thereat, then at the greater rootes.

5. Aconitum lycoctonon praecox. The early flowring Woolfes bane.

The early Helmet flower or Woolfes bane, riseth up very early in the spring, with many thicke shining darke greene leaves, cut into five divisions, and they againe somewhat devided or cut in on the edges, but not so fine∣ly as those of the greater Helmet flower, neither whitish underneath as they are, but rather of a paler greene on the underside and shining, as well as the upper side: the shining round greene stalke riseth not fully so high as the Helmet flower, being not much above two foote high, having divers leaves thereon, like those below, but smaller, and at the top but a few flowers, in comparison of the other Helmet flowers, but are like unto them both for forme and colour, being of a most brave, deepe blewish purple colour: after which come three pods, standing together for the most part, and no more, wherein lyeth such like round blackish seede, as are in all the rest: the rootes are very like those of the greater Helmet flower, and encreaseth as much, by setting of sundry such like heads.

6. Aconitum caeruleum Autumnale. The Harvest Helmet flower.

This late flowring Helmet flower is very like also unto the smaller Helmet flower, rising as high and having such like darke greene leaves somewhat shining, devided in the same manner, but somewhat larger: the flow∣ers grow in long spikes, of a faire blewish purple colour, the pods and seede are like, but the roote hath onely divers blackish strings or fibres, set at the severall ruftes of heads, which are not Turnep like nor bulbous like, as the greater and lesser Helmet flowers are, which maketh the difference, besides the time of the flowring which is later then either of the other, that is not flowring untill August.

7. Aconitum maximum coma nutante. Great Woolfes bane with a bending top.

This great Woolfes bane hath very long and slender stalkes, even three or foure foote high, devided at the tops into sundry branches, with long spikie heads, of very large flowers, which for the weakenesse of the stalkes and the weight of the many flowers growing together, bow downe their heads: for the flowers are grea∣ter and larger then in any other Helmet or Woolfes bane flowers, and of a paler blewish purple colour, then in the Helmet flower: the leaves also are larger, and more devided then in any, except the lesser Woolfes bane,

[illustration]

[illustration]

Napellus Ʋerus. The true Helmet flower.

Anthora. The counterpoison Monkes hoode.

8. Aconitum purpureum aliud. Another purple Helmet flower.

Aconitum hyemale. Winter Wolfes bane.

with Larkes heele flowers: the pods are greater and stand three or foure together, with larger rough blackish seede in them: the roote is thicke and long, somewhat like unto the rootes of the greater Helmet flower, and encreaseth such like heads by it in the same manner.

8. Aconitum purpureum aliud. Another purple Helmet flower.

This other purple Helmet flower hath larger leaves then the other, of a sadder greene colour and shining withall, but incised after the same manner: the stalke likewise groweth very high and often spreadeth into sundry branches, bearing large purple blew flowers in longer spikes then the other: the seedes and rootes be much like the other Helmet flower.

Aconitum hyemale. Winter Woolfes bane. This is described in my former Booke.

Vnto these kinds of Aconites may be referred the Anthora or Antithora, set forth in my former booke, for that in the outward face and forme of growing, it doth so nearely represent them, that it made Clusius thinke it must also be of the same deadly quality with them; and although the name doth import it to be the remedy a∣gainst the poyson of the herbe Thora, which shall be shewed in the next Chapter, and so might challenge to be rather inserted among the Alexipharmaca, Counterpoisons, yet because both it is as I said so like unto those former Aconites in the flowring, and yet is the remedy against the poyson of these Aconites, as well as of that Thora, I thinke it fitter to mention it here then there, and give you the figure and properties thereof likewise, among the vertues, although I have said somewhat of them formerly.

The Place.

None of these plants grow naturally wilde in our country that ever I could certainly learne, although Doctor Penny in his life time, seemed to affirme, that he saw some of their kinds growing on certaine hills in Northum∣berland: they all grow in woods and shadowie places in Italy, Germany, and other places.

The Time.

Some of these flower earlier and some later then others, according as their titles testifie; the rest flower in the end of May or beginning of Iune.

The Names.

It is called in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Aconitum, ita dictum saith Pliny, quia in nudis cautibus nascitur, quas aconas nomi∣nant, ubi nullo juxta ne pulvere quidem nutritur, which Ovid expresseth in the seventh booke of his Metamorphosis in these verses.

Quae quia nascuntur dura vivacia cote Agrestes Aconitae vocant—

Theophrastus saith it tooke the name ab Aconis ubi plurimum nascitur, Is autem vicus est Peryandinorum, qui ad Heracleam Ponti est, which Pliny saith againe in his sixt booke and first Chap. Portus Aconae veneno Aconito dirus. But Pena misliking these derivations saith, Aptior fuerit Nomenclatura interpretatio, si eam ab herbae succo, vel ra∣dice, quibus quasi core spicula a venatoribus affricta & subacta, caelerius subirent, & perniciem adferrent, quam si a cautibus, aut a pagi cognomine deducas: yet saith he possit etiam 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 deduci, quemadmodum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & non a taxo. For even so Xenophon in Cyripaedia saith, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Neque enim jaculari neque in hominem collimare permittebamus vobis: it is called Lycoctonon & Cynoctonum because it killeth Woolves and Dogs; in Latine Aconitum & luparia, for the same causes: But the name of Aconitum was referred to many sorts of poysons, and poysonous herbes, one much differing in face, though not quality from another, as hath beene shewed before in the white Ellebor and others, and may be hereafter more as accasion shall serve; It is called of the Arabians Chanach adip or adib, id est, strangulatorem lupi, of the Italians Aconito & Luparia, of the Spaniards Yerua matta louo, of the French Tue loup, of the Germans Wolffswurtz, of the Dutch Woolfwurtel. The first kind here set downe is called by Gesner in hort Ger, Aconitum primum flore albo. Camerarius in horto under the name of Aconitum Lycoctonum flore luteo distinguisheth both the kinds very well, saying the greater hath the largest leafe and fairest greene colour and flowreth later then the other, it is thought to be the sixt kind of Aconite, that Matthiolus giveth onely the dumbe figure thereof: The second is cal∣led of Clusius Aconitum Lycoctonum flore Delphinii j^m. Silesiacum; of Camerarius Aconitum flore Delphinii: of Ges∣ner in hortis Germainae Aconitum caeruleum aliud, of Bauhinus Aconitum caeruleum hirsutum flore Consolide rega∣lis; the third is the Aconitum flore Delphinii of Dodonaeus and Lobel: of Dalechampius Aconitum Lycoctonum cae∣ruleum j^m. flore Delphinii Dodonae: it is probable to be the fourth Aconitum of Matthiolus, Bauhinus calleth it Aco∣nitum caeruleum glabrum flore consolidae regalis: the fourth is called Aconitum Lycoctonum tertium caeruleum parvum of Dodonaeus, of Lobel Lycoctonum caeruleum parvum facie Napelli: it is the tenth Aconitum of Clusius, who saith and so doth Gesner also, that is called in Italy Thora Italica, and of the Chymistes there herba tora; of Bauhinus Aconitum caeruleum minus, sine Napellus minor. The fift is called Aconitum Lycoctonum 4. Tauricum by Clusius; and by Bauhinus Aconitum violaceum seu Napellus secundus. The sixt is the Aconitum Lycoctonum alterum of Do∣donaeus, and is the seventh Aconitum Lycoctonum of Clusius, which he saith is called also Antumnale: The seventh is the eight Aconitum Lycoctonum coma nutante of Clusius, Bauhinus calleth it Aconitum inflexa coma maximum: the last is called by Clusius Aconitum Neubergense and by Bauhinus Napellus tertius. I call all these kinds Woolfes banes and Helmet flowers, not onely for a distinction from the other sorts that follow (for all these are in face and forme of growing, and in leaves, rootes, flowers and seede one, not much differing one from another) but to shew you that it is even Dioscorides his distinction, who maketh this his Aconitum alterum, which he saith was called Lycoctonum and Cynoctonum, although his former Aconitum called Pardalianches did kill Woolves as well as this, and that such different herbes should not goe in English under one common name of Woolfes bane, whereby it should bee hard to understand in the naming of them what kind is meant.

The Vertues.

All these plants are poisonous and deadly to mankinde, to be taken inwardly any manner of way, as that feast, at Anwerpe sheweth, where by ignorance the leaves of luparia or Napellus, being put as a sallet herbe with others, many that did eate thereof died, after the violent passions they endured for the time: it is also as deadly to Dogs, Wolves, and other creatures, who shall take thereof, either the juyce of the herbe or roote, or the herbe or roote it selfe, put into flesh, and given them to eate: in the juyce of the rootes especially, the hunters of wilde

beastes, doe use to dippe the heads of their arrowes they shoote, or darts they throw at the wilde beasts, which killeth them that are wounded therewith speedily; yet it is said that the flesh of the beasts so killed, is no whit poi∣sonous but safe, and eateth more tender than of others of the same kinde, not killed in the same manner, so as it abide undressed for a day and a night. The ordinary physicall remedies that is to be used for any that have taken of these herbes, is first to procure vomiting, with all the speede possible, to avoid as much of the evill substance that remaineth in the stomacke as may be; and secondly glisters, both to clense the bowells, and to draw the evill quality downewards that way: and thirdly preservatives to defend the heart and vitall spirits from suffocati∣on, or the bloud from putrefaction or congelation; which are effected by taking Mithridate, or rather Venice Treakle, which is more appropriate for poysons; as also to drinke the decoction of Origanum, Rew, Hore∣hound, Wormewood, or Wormewood wine; as also Southernwood, Chamaepitys, or ground Pine, and Genti∣ana: a dramme of the true Opobalsamum taken with hony is much commended, and so is Castor, Pepper and Rue, of each a little quantitie taken in wine. Some commend also to drinke that wine, wherein iron, or gold, or silver, made red hot hath beene quenched. Petrus Aponensis in his Booke of poisons, commendeth the use of Terra lemnia, a dramme or two, thereof to be taken in warme drinke; but above all hee saith that Aristolochia longa, or the long rooted Birthwort, is the most especiall antidote or remedy against all Aconites: But behold the wonderfull goodnesse of God; who although he hath given to these plants so deadly faculties, yet hath he endued them also with other properties, very beneficiall to mans health: as that the juice or distilled water of Acoxitum Fonticum of both sorts, dropped into the eyes, taketh away the inflammation or rednesse in them, as also cleareth them from any haw, or pinne or webbe, growing in or upon them. It is said likewise by Pliny, that if any be st••ng with a Scorpion, or other venemous Serpent, or have taken any other poison, that to take of this in warme wine will expell the other; for finding another enemy already possessing the part that he would worke upon, he stri∣veth to overcome his malignity, and spendeth his force wholely upon it, and thereby freeeth nature from ruine, (but this were a desperate cure for a desperate disease) and that by the touch onely of this Aconite, Scorpions are dulled, and restored againe by white Hellebor; how true this is I leave to every one to judge or trie as he shall thinke best himselfe: but certainely if either the rootes or seedes of these Aconites, or of the other Helmet flowers be beaten into pouder, or the juyce of them boyled with oyle, or Hogges fat, and the head and body anointed therewith, it will kill lice and vermine breeding therein: the lye also wherein the leaves, rootes, or seede, hath beene boyled, doth the same, and clenseth the head also from scurfe and dandraffe. Galen saith that they are used in foule ulcers and sores, to consume the dead flesh, so as the sores be not in the mouth ot privities, which by reason of their vicinitie, to the spirits and life are not to be dealt with in such sort: and for the Helmet flowers (they are all thought to be of one nature, howsoever it is spoken but of one that is the more common) A vicen prescribeth as Antidote or remedy against the poison thereof, to be made with the Mouse that seedeth upon the roote of the Napellus, or Helmet flower, saying, that that Mouse is the Treakle thereof, and being taken in the whole sub∣stance, resisteth the venome of the Napellus, and freeth them from all danger; which Mouse Matthiolus saith he hath often found, and saith it is that which Avicen calleth Napellus Moysis, having the same propertie against the poison of Napellus, that the plant it selfe so called hath. Petrus Aponensis also saith, that this Muse that see∣deth upon the rootes of Napellus is the Bezoar against the Napellus, if it be dryed and two drams of the pouder given in drinke; but Antonius Guainerius, a famous Physitian of Pavia, in his Treatise of poisons thinketh that it cannot be a Mouse, that Avicen maketh mention of to feede upon the roote of Napellus, but that they are cer∣taine great Flies that feede upon the flowers, whereof his Antidote is made that expelleth the poison. For hee there reporteth the industry of a certaine student in Phylosophy, desirous to know the truth hereof, who sough•• diligently for this Mouse, but could neither find or see any, or that any rootes had beene eaten or bitten by any Mouse or the like thing, but found abundance of Flies feeding upon the leaves, which therefore hee tooke, and with them instead of the Mouse he made an Antidote, which he found to be very effectuall, not onely against o∣ther poisons, but chiefely that of the Napellus or Helmet flower: Petrus Pena, and Matthiolus de Lobel confir∣meth this opinion, and experience of Guainerius his student by their owne triall also, who not finding any Mouse, nor hearing thereof by any the Shepheards, and others living in those mountaines of Switzerland, where the Napellus groweth in abundance, or that ever they had seene any Mouse to feede thereon, found as they say great store of certaine great Flies, with blewish greene heads and wings, like unto Canthariaes feeding upon the flowers, when as they could not finde any other living creature, to touch or eate it; the grasse every where be∣ing eaten by the cattle that fed thereby, but not any part thereof once touched. And therefore much suspected that this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 mus, was mistaken by the Arabians for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 muscus the Greeke word as well as the Latine, being so neare in letters the one unto the other; (for the roote of this Napellus killeth Mice as the name Myoctonon and Myophonon doth import:) of which Flies as they say, and not of any Mouse, is made an antidote most preva∣lent against the poison of the most venemous Spider called Tarantula, as also against all other Epidemicall gene∣rall, or contagious diseases, and is made after this manner. Take twentie of the Flies that have fed upon Napel∣lus, of Aristolochia and Bolearmonicke, of each a dramme, whereof a dramme is to be taken at a time, Gnai••rius his Antidote is to be made with Terra lemnia, Bayberies and Mithridate of each two ounces, xxiiij. of the Flies that have fed upon Napellus, of hony and oyle a sufficient quantitie, to make it up into an Electuary: you may see hereby the various opinions and Writings of men, Matthiolus and Aponensis saying they have found and used the Mouse, that fed on the Napellus; and Guainerius, Pena and Lobel denying it, which whether is the truer, and more probable, is in part shewed before, and in this may be confirmed, that Dioscorides and others doe write, that the Aconitum Lycoctanum (whereof Napellus is a kind and as strong) is also called Myoct•• or Myophonon, that is Muricida, because it killeth Mice, as well as Wolves, and therefore they could not live upon it if it would kill them. The Anthora or Counterpoison Monkes hood, is said by all Authors that it groweth, with or hard by the Napellus or Thora, although Gerard saith the contrary, and adviseth that it be not planted neare the Napellus or Helmet flower, for feare of drawing the venemos qualitie thereof unto it. The roote is said by Hugo Solerius, to purge the body very strongly, of waterish and vicious humors, both by vomit and by the stoole, if the quantitie of a beane, be taken in broth or in wine: by reason of the exceeding bitternesse of the roote, it killeth all sorts of wormes in the body: it is also saith Guainerius, by mine owne experience and fight, as effectuall as Dictamnus unto all the purposes whereunto it serveth: the powder of the rootes taken in wine, is a most spee∣die and speciall remedie, against the winde collicke, which the Savoyards about Diam, where it groweth abun∣dantly,

know very familiarly, and call it L' herbe du machon, that is, the wind collicke herbe, and suppose that it having two round rootes, the one will be full and solide one yeare, (as it is in the Orchides or Satyrions) and the other lanke, which changeth to be solide the next yeare, when the other that was firme in the former yeare, will then become lanke; that the sound roote will ease the winde chollicke, and the lanke procure it: the same rootes also used inwardly, is not onely the chiefe and principall Antidote or remedie, against the poyson of these Wolfes banes, and Helmet flowers, but of the Leopards bane, which shall be described in the next chapter, and all other poysonous berbes whatsoever: and against the venome of all serpents and other venemous beasts or crea∣tures, and is also a most soveraigne remedy against the plague or pestilence, and all other infections, or contagi∣ous diseases, which raise spots, pockes, or markes in the outward skinne; by expelling the poyson from within, and defending the heart, as a most soveraigne Cordiall.

CHAP. II. Aconitum Pardalianches sive Thora. Leopards bane.

OF this sort of Leopards bane, there are accounted two severall sorts, differing in bearing more leaves, one than another, as also in the greatnesse of them, and of the whole plant, which yet might rather be attributed, to the fertility or sterilitie of the soyle, wherein they grow: but as they are re∣membred by others, so I must proceede also, and set them forth here unto you.

1. Aconitum Pardalianches sive Thora minor. The lesser Leopards bane.

The Leopards bane is a small low herbe, rising up with a small slender round stalke, little more than halfe a foote high, bearing about the middle thereof but one small stiffe or hard leafe, for the most part, but sometimes two or three one above another, and sometimes two together, which are round somewhat like the leafe of Asa∣rum, but lesser, smooth, and of a blewish greene colour full of veines therein, somewhat unevenly dented about the edges, not comp••ssing the stalke, but standing from it, upon short footestalkes: the toppe of the stalke is di∣vided oftentimes into two or three branches, with a small narrow leafe at the joint, and one smooth pale yellow flower at the toppe thereof, somewhat like unto those of Cinquefoile or five leafed grasse, consisting in many of foure, and in some of five round pointed leaves, with a small greenish head in the middle, which when their flower is fallen, groweth to be a small head, consisting of many small seedes set together, like unto the heads of diverse sorts of Ranunculi, or Crowfeete: the roote is composed of seven eight or tenne, small long round very white shining rootes, somewhat unevenly as it were branched out like knots or joynts in diverse places, plaine∣ly to be discerned in some, but in others not, being plaine and smooth, ending in a small long fibre, and all of

[illustration]

1. Aconitum Pardalianches seu Thora minor. The lesser Leopards bane.

3. Aconitum Pardalianches Dioscoridis Matthiolo cum floribus Lugdunensis. Matthiolus his fained Leopards bane with flowers added by Lugdunensis.

them fastened at the head thereof, like unto Asphodill rootes, of the most poisonfull qualitie, that hath beene found in any other herbe.

2. Aconitum Pardulianches sive, Thora major. The greater Leopards bane.

The greater Leopards bane, is in all things like unto the lesser, before described, but that it is greater, and ri∣seth higher, having larger leaves, and finely dented about the edges, and two or three standing together above the middle of the stalke, some smaller than others, and sometimes one above another, and some small long and narrow ones at the joints and brancheth forth into two or three parts or more, bearing every one his small yel∣low flower, like the former: the seede and roote is also like the other.

3. Aconitum Pardalianches Matthioli commentitium. Matthiolus his fained Leopards bane.

I thinke it not amisse to set forth unto your view that figure of Matthiolus, which he (as is thought caused to be drawne according to his owne fancie, taking his patterne from this Thora, and desirous to expresse it with some nearer resemblance unto Dioscorides his description, of Aconitum Pardalianches,) hath set forth, with foure round rough leaves, and one long crooked roote, bunched out in diverse places, like unto the taile of a Scorpion, which figure bred a great contention betwixt Gesner and him; Gesner laying to his charge, that he had but fained it, and that there was no such herbe, in rerum natura, because it was made so artificially, and wanted fibres, which all other rootes have, whereby they draw nourishment out of the earth. Matthiolus in his defence to that point alledgeth, that Dentaria which we call Lungworte, hath no fibres, being a roote consisting onely of scales, as it were set together; as also in that other roote called Dentaria bulbiferu, which as Matthiolus saith, the Germans call Sanicula alba, and he setteth forth among the Symphita; but the Author of the great Herball printed at Lyons who was Ioannes Molinaeus and going under the name of Dalechampius, but of most writers called Lugdunensis, taketh upon him the defense of Matthiolus his sinceritie in his appendix to that ge∣nerall history, and sheweth the same figure of Matthiolus, with a stalke of leaves and flowers added to it, which the former wanted, and with all giveth the description thereof in this manner; it riseth up saith he early in the yeare, if the spring be milde, with his stalk, before any of the lower leaves appeare, as the Coltes foot and the B••∣ter burre doe; having foure small round hairy leaves upon the stalke, set by couples at distances; the flowers are many growing in a tuft, or round head together at the toppe thereof, of a pale yellow colour, with many yellow∣ish threds in the middle: when the flowers are past, then commeth up the leaves, which are foure for the most part, and are almost round, hairy and greene on the upperside, and hoary white underneath, full of veines ••∣ning through them, and full of small spots: the roote consisteth of many knots and joints like unto a Scorpions taile, in the same manner as Matthiolus hath set it forth in his figure: this he saith groweth on the Alpes of Sa∣voy, not farre from the chiefe Monastery of the Carthusians, in a rough rockie place, which they call, Les Escheles, that is, the ladder, because the way of the rocke, is cut out into steppes, to get up to the toppe: and saith that this he saw with his owne eyes, and that an Apothecary of Trevers, who had diverse plants growing thereof in his garden, and abiding many yeares, from whom he obtained the whole plant to set forth, to end the controversie betweene two such worthy men; and yet this figure is much suspected also to be but counterfeit, by Columna in the 44. page of his minus cognitarium stirpium, & by Bauhinus and many others: but if I might shew mine opinion, I would rather thinke that Matthiolus set forth his figure a little artificially from the Doronicum brachiata radice which hath round leaves and such a like roote: if I be mistaken let it be accounted my error.

The Place.

The first groweth in shadowie places, on the snowie hils in Savoye, where there is scarse any crust of earth for the rootes to grow in, neere unto Mura, and in the toppe of Iura. The second groweth in the like places, among those Alpes of the Valdenses, that respect Italy, called Vnderflumen and Engronia, as also upon the moun∣taine Baldus, which is not farre from Verona; the last his place is declared in the description.

The Time.

They all but the last doe flower in Iune, and Iuly which are the spring Moneths of the Alpes, and their seede is ripe in August.

The Names.

It is called in Greeke by Dioscorides 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Aconitum Pardalianches, because the herbe killeth Leopards, Wolves, and all other foure footed beasts very seedily. It is called of diverse also Thora, from the Greeke word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, corruptio, venenum aut mors. Theophrastus describeth it in his ninth Booke and ninth Chapter, under the name of Thelyphonon, because it is a speedy death to females; or because being put into the se∣cret parts of females, it speedily killeth even within a day. Gesner and others take it to be Limeum of Pliny, in his 17. Booke and 10. Chapter, which he saith is an herbe so called by the Gaules wherewith they doe make a me∣dicine, to dippe their arrow heads in, when they hunt wild beasts, which they call Cervaria: Gesner saith also it was called of some in his countrie, Lunaria, because the leaves were round like unto a full Moone, himselfe cal∣leth it Thora Venenata and Toxicum Valdensium. Clusius maketh it to be his third Ranunculus grumosa radice, and Lobel calleth it Phthora Valdensium. Matthiolus in contempt of Gesner calleth it Pseudo aconitum Pardalianches, as though it were but a base kind of Aconite, without force or vertues, (which it seemeth he rather uttered in the heate of his contention, and contestation with Gesner, who alledged that this was the truer Aconitum Pardalian∣ches of Dioscorides than in the truth of the matter) it being the nearest to Dioscorides his description in all other parts as well as in the rootes which are shining white like Alablaster, and the strongest and speediest poison of all manner of herbes. It may be called in English, either round leafed Wolfes bane, or Leopards bane to distinguish it from the former.

The Vertues.

Dioscorides giveth no other properties to this kinde of Aconite, then death to all foure footed beasts, being gi∣ven to them in flesh, besides the helpe it giveth to the eyes in easing their paines, being put with other things that are for that purpose: Theophrastus, and Pliny after him say, that it is a remedy against the Scorpion, being taken in warmed wine, for it killeth nature if it finde not an enemie in nature, whom it may kill, against whom it stri∣veth and spendeth its strength, to overcome it, that it might free nature of danger, thus saith Pliny: it was called Scorpio because the roote was like a Scorpions taile, it seemeth also it was upon the like occasion called Theriopho∣non, because it killeth Serpents; for they say, that the Scorpion is a stonied, and looseth both strength and motion,

being onely touched with the Aconite; and receiveth life and strength againe, if it bee touched or rubbed with white Ellebor. It is found by most certaine experience, that it is the fiercest and speediest poyson, surpassing all other, that groweth on the ground; and that they used to say in the former times, there was not found any reme∣die against it, although many things had beene tryed, but of later times the industry of man, hath found out his Antigonist or Counterpoyson, which is the Anthora before declared. Gesner in libro de Lunariis, reciteth that if a sword, dart, or arrow, be but touched with the juyce thereof, and therewith either man or beast wounded, that any blood be drawne, the malignity thereof so quickly pierceth inwardly, that it presently killeth, corrup∣ting and congealing all the blood, unlesse that part round about the wound be instantly cut away, and that it killeth any wild beast so wounded, after three or foure leapes or springings; but (that which is more wonderfull in my opinion) he saith that the flesh of that beast so killed, is not deadly or dangerous to any that shall eate thereof: therein peradventure like the baite that is given to fish, to make them lye on the toppe of the water, easie to be taken with ones hand, and yet not hurtfull to be eaten, and Plinye saith it killeth fish, whereby as hee saith it is knowne, that that poyson is an enemie to the blood. For he saith, that if any blood should fall into the pot, where this poyson is kept, it will presently loose its strength. It is said also that it is so pernicious, that if it be but held in the hand a little time, it will almost take away the senses; as also, that one but smelling thereto, after he had gathered it fell downe as dead, and with much a doe was recovered.

CHAP. III. Doronicum sive Aconitum supposititi••m. The supposed Wolfes bane.

I Doe adjoyne this hearbe Doronicum, next unto the Wolfes banes, because many doe hold it a kind thereof, which how true or false you shall heare by and by in his place. Of this kinde there are found diverse sorts, differing either in rootes or leaves one from another, and some for the likenesse, or flowers, or manner of growing, are referred unto them, as shall be presently declared.

1. Doronicum vulgare. The most common supposed Wolfes bane.

The most common Doronicum, (that hath beene longest known unto us, and kept in our gardens, many of the rest being found of later yeares) hath diverse leaves rising from the roote, every one standing upon a long foote stalk, which are somewhat round, greater than the Romane Sowbread leaves, soft and gentle in the handlig, some∣what hayrie and of a fresh greene colour; from among which riseth up diverse greene roundish stalkes about a yard high or more, parted at the toppe, sometime into one or two branches, every one carrying a large flower, somewhat like the Corne Marigold, but much larger, having many narrow long yellow leaves, as a border set about a middle thrumme, somewhat yellower, which when it falleth away, turneth into small whitish doune;

[illustration]

1. Doronicum vulgare. The most common supposed Wolfes bane.

2. Doronicum minus. The lesser supposed Wolfes bane.

[illustration]

3. Doronicum brachiata radice. Scorpion rooted supposed Woolfes bane.

with very small blackish seede, which is carryed away with the winde: the rootes are small, thicke and short, creeping or lying un∣der the upper crust of the earth, with divers small fibres, shooting from them downe into the ground and increasing divers such like tuberous rootes round about it, which are tender and not hard somewhat whitish and with some joynts therein, and greenish on the upper side next unto the upper face of the ground: Some would make these rootes to resemble a dead Scorpion, because of the joynts, which are like scales therein; the former part next the leaves, being thicke to be the body, and the other part, being small to be the taile, which is somewhat sweete in taste, and a little bitter, with some austere clamminesse joyned therewith.

2. Doronicum minus. The lesser supposed Woolfes bane.

The lesser Doronicum hath divers leaves, longer and narrower, then the former, somewhat like unto Ribwort Plantaine, but hai∣ry and of a yellowish greene colour; the stalkes are slender and rise nothing so high, nor are much branched, but carrying the like yellow flowers as the former, somewhat paler: the roote is small not like the former being without those joynts so plaine in them.

3. Doronicum brachiata radice. Scorpion rooted supposed Woolfes bane.

This Scorpion rooted Doronicum hath large round hairy leaves, like the first, somewhat waved or unevenly dented about the ed∣ges, of a sadder greene colour and somewhat bigger; the stalkes have divers narrower leaves thereon, the flowers are yellow and the leaves thereof dented at the ends, the seede is like unto the other, but the roote creepeth not so much, but is somewhat lon∣ger thrust downe into the ground, with joynts growing up∣wards, branched as it were on each side with young rootes, and ending in a small point, with divers long fibres set unto them.

4. Doronicum Austriacum angustifolium. Small supposed Woolfes bane of Austria.

This small Doronicum of Austria hath fewer leaves then the se∣cond, but soft, long, narrow and hairy like them, greene and some∣what shining on the upper side, and of a paler greene underneath of a sharper biting taste: the stalke is shorter then it, hairy also but smooth, and striped all along; whereon are set divers narrower leaves, compassing it at the bottome, up to the top, where there standeth but one large flower for the most part, like unto the other Doronicum, but of a deeper yellow colour, which turneth into downe, with small blacke seede therein, and carryed away with the winde, in the like manner: the roote is small and joynted somewhat like unto it, but not increasing so fast, with divers long fibres thereat.

5. Doronicum humile Stiriacum Clusii. The low Stirian supposed Woolfes bane of Clusius.

This low Doronicum hath many large and somewhat round leaves, dented about the edges like unto the third sort before expressed, standing upon high footestalkes: the stalke is lower then it, having some leaves thereon longer and narrower then those below, and at the top (not having any branches) one flower larger then any of the former, but else like unto them, with many long yellow leaves, set about a middle brownish yellow thrum: the roote is somewhat long, blackish on the outside and joynted but not plainely to bee discerned, the joynts ri∣sing upwards, and not downewards as they doe, in most of the rest, with some other rootes, growing from it, and having many long white fibres underneath it.

6. Doronicum Germanicum. The supposed Woolfes bane of Germany.

The Doronicum of Germany hath divers broad hairy leaves, of a yellowish greene colour on the upper side, and whitish and smooth underneath, lying on the ground somewhat like unto broad Plantaine leaves, or rather like unto the Crossewort Gentian, having some long ribbes therein: among these leaves riseth up a stalke, and some∣times many, bearing long leaves, at every joynt; at the top it brancheth forth into two or three or more parts sometimes, bearing every one a faire large flower, set as it were in a rough cup, which consisteth of many pale yellow leaves, dented at the ends, as a pale or border about the middle, which is made of many small flowers, of foure leaves a peece, of a deepe yellow colour, as it were the thrum; (Bauhinus saith that there hath a so•• hereof beene found in Stiria) with blew flowers, which being past, the head turneth into downe, and is carried away with the small blackish seede therein: the roote is small, yet joynted like the former sorts, but not so plainely to be discerned, of a sweete sent and a bitter biting taste, having many fibres underneath it, and giving many of sets, whereby it is increased.

7. Doronicum maximum Austriacum. The greatest supposed Woolfes bane of Austria.

This great Doronicum of Austria shooteth forth many faire greene leaves from the roote, lying round about it, which are broad, hairy, rough and somewhat round pointed at the ends, every one standing upon a long foote∣stalke: but those which are set upon the stalkes, which rise three or foure foote high or more, are larger and lon∣ger then those below, set without order, and compassing it at the bottome like Tobacco leaves, all of them a lit∣tle unevenly dented about the edges: the flowers upon the toppes of the leaves of the severall branched stalkes, are large and yellow like unto the common Doronicum, which after they are past, the greenish seedes that lie among the downe, are conveyd both away together with the winde; the roote is thicke and joynted like the rest, encreasing as much as any other.

[illustration]

5. Doronicum bumile Stiriacum Clusii. The low Stirian supposed Woolfes bane, and the Doronicum rootes of the Apothecaries shops.

6. Doronicum Germanicum. The supposed Woolfes bane of Germany.

7. Doronicum maximum Austriacum. The greatest supposed Woolfes bane of Austria.

10. Doronicum Americanum. Supposed Woolfes bane of America.

8. Doronicum Helveticum incanum. The hoary Helvetian supposed Woolfes bane.

The hoary Doronicum of Helvetia, riseth up with a round hollow greene stalke, a foote high or more, bearing thereon divers leaves somewhat longer and more pointed, then those that grow next the ground, some whereof are round, and others long and round, yet all dented about the edges, of a pale greene colour on the upperside, with a white rib in the middle, and of a mealie hoarinesse underneath, as the footestalke is also: the flower is great and yellow that standeth at the top of the stalke, with many long narrow leaves, not dented at the edges, but smooth compassing the middle thrumme: the seede is carried away with the downe, like unto others: the roote is small, joynted, and as it were scaled like the rest.

9. Doronicum Helveticum humile. The low supposed Woolfes bane of Helvetia.

This low Doronicum of Helvetia or Switzerland, hath many thicke, darke, greene, hairy leaves, and of a paler greene underneath, lying next the roote being somewhat long and round and dented about the edges; from a∣mong which riseth up a short hairy stalke, not halfe a foote high, with very long and narrow leaves set thereon, parted at the toppe into two or three small branches, bearing yellow flowers, of a meane size or bignesse like unto the rest.

10. Doronicum Americanum. Supposed Woolfes bane of America.

This strange Doronicum hath divers very large leaves next the ground somewhat rough and hairie, divided in∣to five parts, each part being five or six inches long, and two inches broad, pointed at the ends, and deepely denied on the edges into three parts: from among which riseth up sundry smooth round stalkes set with the like leaves, but somewhat lesser and lesse divided, and some little or not at all: at the top of every stalke standeth one large yellow flower like unto the former, the bordering leaves being long and narrow, and the middle thrum brow∣nish, and made as it were of many flowers set thicke together: the roote is great thicke and hard, fastned with many long strings, I have here given you two figures thereof, the one taken by us, the other by the French.

12. Radices Doronici vulgo officinarum, & Radices Mechini rarioris Lobelii, pro Doronico genuino Arabum a Pona exhibitae. The Apothecaries Doronicum, and the true one of the Arabians as Pona thinketh.

I have here likewise particularly given you the figures of the rootes of two sorts of Doronicum as they are sup∣posed to be, the formost generally received by all or most both writers & Apothecaries for their medicines, whose description is set downe before: the other Pona in his Italian Baldus setteth forth supposing it to be more probably the true Doronicum of the Arabians then the former, which doth not agree thereunto either in forme or quality, for Avicen in the 200. Chap. of his second Booke, and Serapio in the 325. Chap. of his Booke of simples have described their Doronicum to be a roote of the bignesse of ones thumb, of a hard and heavy substance, of a yel∣lowish colour on the outside and browne within, with some white veines, and is hot and dry in the third degree: thus Serapio, but saith Pona, I know no other roote more properly doth represent that Doronicum, then this sort of Mechinus, which is often found among the Mechinus or blacke Ginger, that is brought us chiefly from Brasil, which Lobell calleth Mechini rara varietas, having divers circular knotted lines as it were like joynts on the out∣side,

[illustration]

10. Doronicum Americanum. The supposed Woolfes bane of America.

12. Doronicum antiqu••m Pona. Lobel his rare varieties of Mechinus and the Ara∣bians Doronicum by Pona.

and is firme and heavy full of white veines therein when it is broken: it is also very sharpe, quicke, biting and aromaticall in taste, and therefore saith he, having all the notes of their Doronicum, it can be no other then the true and legitimate Doronicum, from whom the reasons being so pregnant, I know not well how to dis∣sent, yet leave it to others to judge as they shall finde cause.

The true rootes of the Doronicum in the Apothecaries shops are misset, which should have beene in this table, but are expressed in the fift figure.

The Place.

The first groweth on the hills in Savoy, beyond the lake Lemanus, and in other places, both of France and Germany: the second groweth not farre from Burdeaux in France. The third on the wooddy hills about Trent, and in Austria also as Clusius saith: the fourth Clusius saith he found on divers hills in Austria. The fift likewise about Newberg in Styria. The sixt is found in many places of Germany, in the medowes and elsewhere, and as it is thought, on the hilly grounds in Northumberland. The seaventh groweth in many places, both of Au∣stria and Hungary, as Clusius saith: the eight upon the Alpes in Switserland: the ninth also on the same hills about Valesia, and the last came from the French colony about the river of Canada and noursed up by Vespasian Ro∣bin the French Kings Herbarist at Paris, who gave M^r. Tradescant some rootes that hath encreased well with him and thereof hath imparted to me also.

The Time.

They all flower early for the most part, that is in May, and some of them in the Autumne againe.

The Names.

The name Doronicum which is given to all these plants is derived from the Arabian Doronigi or Durungi, for it is not remembred by any of the ancient Greeke or Latine Authors, except Actuarius who calleth it Carna∣badion; divers have accounted it among the Aconites, as Matthiolus (calling it Pardalianches, and referreth it to Pliny and Theophrastus their Aconites, whose rootes are like Scorpions, as the outward face or forme of these are, which bred the suspition; when as the properties of these are not like their Aconites, to kill wilde beasts speedily with their Darts, or Arrowes dipped in the juice thereof; or to be a caustike herbe, able to eate away the flesh of a wound, and cause it to fall away:) who having received it from Cortusus of Padoa, defameth it to all the world, to be a poyson not fit to be used inwardly in mans body, and that those Physitians that follow the Arabians to put it into Cordiall medicines, doe very ill, and little respect the health of man, because both as Cortusus writeth unto him, and himselfe upon tryall made as he saith found to be true, that it will kill dogs, the rootes being given them in flesh, which report of theirs how soever be true in dogs, may notwithstanding be not true, being given to other beasts, and may be safely given and without danger to men: for divers things that are wholsome to man, and which we often use without scruple, or doubt of danger, as Aloes and bitter Almonds, yet given to a Fox, either of them will quickly kill him, as Plutarch reporteth; and the Camaeleon Thistle as Fabius Columna setteth it downe, will kill dogs and swine, &c. and yet is a most soveraigne Antidote against the poyson of Serpents, the roote being drunk in wine, and besides killeth the wormes in children with∣out any further harme, as also even Muske, Saffron, and other things being taken in two great a quantity will kill any man: others hold them to be wholsome, as it hath beene certainly and often found true by good experi∣ence, that divers of these sorts are very effectuall to helpe many diseases in men, as you shall heare by and by, and therefore it is not probable, that there lyeth any venemous quality hid underneath those good ones; and be∣sides, Gesner saith that he had taken much and often thereof, and had given it to others without any danger or harme; and Pena and Lobel reporteth that Iohannes de Vroede did eate many rootes thereof without any danger, or sense of paine thereby: and therefore doth advise others, not to abdicate the plant wholly from mans use, nor to discredit such famous Arabian authors, that have appointed it to be put into Electuarium de gemmis, Electua∣rium ex Aromatibus, and Diamoschum dulce, and others, as the most Cordiall medicines of all other, and where∣of there was never harme taken whosoever did use them, or to say that any that followed their prescriptions, were guilty of the death of any man. Dodonaeus was also of the same minde with Matthiolus for a while, but afterwards found his owne errour and reclaimed it; but it is much doubted, whether this be the Doronicum of the Arabians or no; for Franciscus Pona in his Italian description of Mont Baldus, as I said before, refuseth it, accounting it an auncient received errour, and therefore giveth us the figure of Lobels Mechinus, for the true Doronicum, the faculties of these being quite contrary to their Doronicum, for besides a little sweetenesse and clammy taste in the roote; it hath little or no other taste, except that being fresh, some of them have an aro∣maticall, and some a bitterish sweet taste, like unto juice of Licoris: but the roots of this Mechinus are of an aroma∣ticall, sharpe & biting taste: the joynts in the roots of the ordinary Doronicum, very likely might cause the later age of the world to erre, in taking it to be the right: but leave we these controversies, and attend the varietie of names and properties of these sorts of Doronicum, which may better perswade us of the good to be reaped from them: The first is as I said, the most common, both in the Gardens of our country and others, and is most usually called Doronicum Romanum of all writers, or with a sweete roote. The second Clusius and others call Doronicum minus and Angustifolium, Bauhinus calleth it Doronicum plantaginis folio. The third Matthiolus calleth Aconitum Par∣dalianches Plinij, Dodonaeus Pardalianches alterum, Pena and Lobel, Doronicum Brachiata radice; but Clusius set∣teth out the figure more truely, & calleth it his second Doronicum Austriacum. The fourth is Clusius his first Do∣ronicum Austriacum sive minus, and Bauhinus Doronicum longifolium hirsutie asperum. The fift is Clusius his fourth Doronicum, which he calleth Stiriacum, and Bauhinus Doronicum latifolium flore magno. The sixt is called diversly, by divers; Matthiolus calleth it Alysma or Damasonium, and thinketh it to be the right Alysma of Dioscorides▪ and so doe Camerarius and Gesner, (who calleth it also Caltha Alpina) Fena and Lobel call it Nardus Celtica al∣tera, as Rondeletius did take it to be. Lugdunensis setteth it forth under the name of Ftarmica montana, as divers did call it there abouts, as he saith, and yet setteth it forth againe under the title of Alysma Matthioli. Gerard likewise hath set it forth in two severall places, under two severall titles, the one under Calendula Alpina, the other under Chrysanthemum latifolium. Clusius calleth it Doronicum Germanicum, and saith his Pannonicum or Doronicum sextum, is the same or very like, for both he and divers others doe set it forth, with smooth, and hairy leaves, also as it is found so growing in divers and sundry places. The seventh is Clus••us his Doronicum Austria∣dum tert••, which Bauhinus calleth Doronicum maximum foliis caulem amplexantibus: The eighth and ninth

Bauhinus setteth forth in his Prodomus and Pinax, under the same titles they doe here beare: the tenth Robinus of Paris called Aconitum Americanum, and Cornutus Aconitum Helianthemum Canadense; but the upper leaves on the stalke, with the flowers and roote, declare it to come nearer to the sorts of Doronicum; the last are as the titles declare them. They may all be called in English, either Doronicum according to the Latine name, for so doe both Italians, Spaniards, French, Germanes; and Dutchmen; or as I have entituled them supposed Wolfes banes, both that the name may differ from the former Wolfes banes, and to give you to understand that they are but supposed to be dangerous; because as I said before the outward forme of the rootes, like unto Shrimpes or Scor∣pions, and the leaves round like unto the leaves of Sow bread or Cowcumbers, have caused many to thinke them to be the Aconites of Theophrastus and Dioscorides; but Columna hath treated very learnedly hereof in the 18. Chapter of his Booke of Plants, whereunto I referre you, for it were too tedious, to relate his sayings in this place.

The Vertues.

The true Doronicum is said to be a soveraigne Cordiall, and to resist the poyson both of beasts and other deadly medicines, to clense the breast and to helpe the cough, and to rid those humors, that cause paines in the sides: but our Doronicum, although it be not the true of Serapio and Avicen, yet it is no Aconite, as Matthiolus and others have supposed; for as is before said, both Gesner tooke it often, and a good quantitie at a time, even two drammes in powder, that he might find the operation of it, yet found no harme thereby; and Vroede, as Lobel saith tooke of it many times, without any harme; but what especiall good they found by it, is not remembred, for Gesner maketh not any mention thereof: yet the juyce thereof is found to be good, for those eyes that be hot and red, and full of paine, by reason of hot and sharpe rheumes, falling into them, to allay the heate, to take a∣way the rednesse, and to give ease of the paines and prickings in them. Clusius saith that the hunters, and shep∣heards that live in the mountaines of Austria, doe no lesse use and commend the rootes of the third and fourth sorts, here set forth, (which grow with them more frequently, than the others, at the least best known unto them,) then they doe the rootes of the yellow Auricula ursi, against the swimming or turning in the head, which is a disease subject to those places, rising from the feare and horrour, of such steepe downefalls and dangerous pla∣ces, which they doe and must continually passe, in seeking for and hunting the wild Goates, and therefore they there call them Gensswurtz, that is, Rupicapraria radix, as Clusius doth interpret it; and there hath beene found is their mawes a certaine stone, called by Bauhinus, in his Treatise thereof Bezoar Germanicum, in the middest of which stones, some of the rootes have beene found almost whole, which sheweth that they feede thereon wil∣lingly, without taking any harme thereby, and that the stones bred thereon are Cordiall, and so used: And I doe not thinke but any of the other sorts (seeing they are all in forme, and places of growing, one so like unto another) if triall were sufficiently made, would performe the same effect. For the sixt sort here expressed (which as I said is called Caltha Alpina of some, Alysma or Damosonium of others, and Doronicum Geranicum of others, of the people in the Alpes Mutterwurtz, as Iosias Simlerus saith, in his Commentarie of the Alpes, that is Matricaria, Mother wort, which they have found, and do continually use to procure womens courses, and to ease the paines and disea∣ses of the mother) is very effectuall against the poyson of the fish called Lapus marinus, as also the venemous biting of the Shrew, and the poyson of a Toade; and is also profitable for them that have eaten Opium, in any dangerous quantitie; it is given with good successe, to them that have the bloudy flixe, or any other paines or gripings in their body or bowells, by reason of sharpe humours gathered therein: it is also helpefull to those that have convulsions or crampes, and ach or paines in the joynts and sinewes, and is very powerfull to be taken with some wilde Carrot seede, to expell gravell, or the stone in the reines or kidnies, if the decoction thereof in wine or water, or the powder of the herbe and rootes be taken: it is applied also outwardly, to ease the paines and inflammations of apostumes and sores: the flowers hereof doe procure neesings.

CHAP. IV. Ranunculus. Crowfoote.

THere are so many sorts of Crowfeete, some of the Woods, some of the Medowes, some of the Mountaines, some of the Water, some of the Rockes, and some of the Gardens; that to proceede in a methodicall manner, and to ease my selfe and the Reader of too much prolixitie, and intricasie, I thinke it best to distinguish or divide them into severall formes or orders, that so they may be the better apprehended and understood, for otherwise it would be too great a confusion, to huddle so many together: and because I have already set forth in my former Booke, many sorts, whose flowers being most beautifull and rare, were fittest to adorne that Garden; I shall not neede to describe any of them againe in this worke, but referre you thereunto to be informed of them: but in shewing you the rest, I will give you the figures of some of them, and of the Anemones which are nearest unto them, and so bring every of them into their severall order, and begin first with those of the Woods.

Devisio prima. The first Division. Ranunculi nemorosi. Wood Crowfeete.

1. Ranunculus nemorosus albus simplex. The single white Wood Crowfoote.

THe single white wood or wilde Crowfoote, riseth up with two or three stalkes, about an hand breadth high or better, about the middle whereof, come forth usually three stalkes of leaves, each being somewhat broad, hard and cut in on the edges into three parts, of a sad greene colour, and dented also; the stalke riseth up two or more inches high, bearing at the toppe one single flower, hanging downe the head for the most part made of five leaves, somewhat broad and almost round pointed, of a light blewish colour on the outside, before it be blowne open, but white afterwards, and more white on the inside, having a few white threds in the

[illustration]

[illustration]

1. Ranunculus nemorosus albus simplex. The single white Wood Crowfoote

5. Ranunculus nemorosus flore luteo. The yellow Wood Crowfoote.

middle, tipt with yellow, standing about a greene head, which in time growing ripe, is somewhat like other heads of Crowfeete, composed of many small seedes set together: the roote is usually of the bignesse of a wheate straw stalke, not growing downe deepe, but creeping longwise under the upper crust of the ground, spreading out into diverse small knobs like branches, of a darke browne colour on the outside, and white within, and of a sharpe biting taste, enflaming the mouth.

2. Ranunculus nemorosus minimus albus. The least white Wood Crowfoote.

This small wood Crowfoote, hath such like leaves as the former single white kind hath devided into three parts, and each of them into other againe, standing upon little long foote stalkes, but they are much lesser, so that the whole leafe hereof, is not much bigger than one of the Divisions, or parts of the other: the stalke is ve∣rie small with a few leaves thereon, in two places more devided than the lower, little more than two inches high: at the toppe standeth a white flower, consisting of sixe white leaves, with a few yellowish threds in the middle: the roote is small and long like unto the other.

3. Ranunculus nemorosus flore carneo. The single blush wild Crowfoote.

The single blush wilde Crowfoote, is both for forme, of growing, in stalkes, leaves, flowers, and rootes, like unto the former, so that untill it be in flower, there can hardly be any difference discerned, but when the flower appeareth, it sheweth it selfe much more reddish on the outside, and of a faire pale purple, or blush colour on the inside, which maketh it a distinct species of it selfe, differing from the rest.

4. Ranunculus nemorosus flore purpureo caeruleo. The single purple Wood Crowfoote.

This purple kinde is also like the other, and differeth from them chiefely in the stalke which is somewhat browner, and in the flower, which is of a pale purple blewish colour, like unto a pale violet flower; none of these have any great sent, but yet a little, and more than the yellow kinde which followeth next.

5. Ranunculus nemorosus luteus. The yellow wood Crowfoote.

The yellow Wood Crowfoote groweth in the same manner that the former doe, and with such like stalkes of leaves, but they are not so broad, nor so hard in handling, and are more deepely cut into more long and narrower parts, yet each also dented about the edges, especially towards the ends of the leaves, and of a darker greene co∣lour; from betweene these stalkes of leaves, shooteth forth sometimes but one, and sometimes two or three stalkes, with every one a flower thereon, somewhat smaller than the former, consisting of sixe usually or of seaven, and sometimes of eight leaves, which are of a faire pale yellow colour, with many yellow threds in the middle, the seede and rootes are like the former: this hath as I said least sent at all. Vnto these belong that sort of Anemone or rather Crowfoote that Dodonaeus calleth Trifolia having the leaves parted into three,* 1.1 snipt about the edges with a whitish blush flower.

6. Ranunculus nemorosus Moschatella dictus. The Muske Wood Crowfoote.

The Muske Crowfoote, hath three or foure slender pale greene stalkes of leaves, somewhat devided at the edges of them, not halfe a foote high, and not of halfe that height in some places, very like unto those of the Hol∣low

[illustration]

[illustration]

Anemone trifolia Dodonai. Dodonaeus his trefoile Anemone.

6. Ranunculus nemorosus Muscatella dictu••. The Muske Wood Crowfoote.

7. Ranunculus nemorosus dulcis secundus Tragi. Sweete Wood Crowfoote.

8. Ranunculus Virgin••sis al••. The white Virginia Crowfoote.

roote, but smaller, and of a paller shining greene colour, from among which rise up one or two small stalkes with two such like leaves thereon, but smaller, and a little above them, a small round greenish yellow head, which spreadeth not into leaves, but into foure or five little mossie heads of threads, and so abideth a while, having no other flower, and passe away into many small kernelly seede; the roote is small and somewhat long, composed as it were of many small very shining white thicke scales, growing upwards, and having many white fibres at the head of them, of a little sweetish bitter, sharpe and binding taste, the leaves have a little sweete sent, some∣what like unto that kinde of Crannes bill, called Muske, yet more in the naturall places than in Gardens, when it is transplanted into them.

7. Ranunculus nemorosus dulcis secundus Tragi. Sweete Wood Crowfoote.

The first leaves of this kinde of Crowfoote, are round somewhat like unto Violet leaves, and not devided at all, but those that rise next after them, are more devided, somewhat like unto the leaves of the last, and so those that grow after and upon the stalkes are more devided than they: the flowers are small, and of a faire shining gold yellow colour, standing at the toppes of the stalkes, like unto the other common kindes of Crowfeete: af∣ter which come the seede many set together in a head, like a small Strawberry, as diverse other Crowfeete have; the roote is composed of many white strings and fibres, like unto others; neither roote or leafe of this kind, hath any sharpe or biting taste in them, but are almost insipide.

8. Ranunculus Virginensis albus. The white Virginia Crowfoote.

The white Virginia Crowfoot shooteth forth from a reddish thick tuberous roote with some small fibres there∣to, three or foure somewhat large broad whitish greene leaves upon long foote stalkes, rent or torne on the edges for the most part, among which riseth up a slender round naked stalke, five or sixe inches high, bearing one white flower at the toppe made of tenne or of twelve small narrow and pointed leaves, with a few yellowish threds in the middle, set about a greenish umbone, which in time groweth to be a long slender pod, wherein is contained round whitish seede.

The Place.

The most sorts of these are found growing in Woods, Groves, and Orchards, some of them in our owne land in many places, the rest in many places of Italy, Germany, &c. The fift is found as well by the brooke sides that passe by Medowes, as in Woods, and by hedge sides.

The Time.

They doe all flower very earely in the Spring, in March oftentimes, or at the furthest in Aprill.

The Names.

The first foure are diversly called of diverse Writers, for some call them Ranunculi nemorosi, or nemorum and syluarum, others Anemones sylvestres, or nemorosae: but in regard none of these do beare any cottony head of seede, as all the Anemones doe. I rather hold with their judgement, that referre them to the kindes of Ranunculus or Crowfoote; yet Clusius thinketh that they may be reckoned as kindes of wild Anemones, and saith that diverse did thinke them to be the Anemone sylvestris, that Theophrastus calleth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Leimonia; the Italians call them Gengevo salvatico, wild Ginger, either because the rootes of them all, are very sharpe, hot and biting the tongue like Ginger, or rather as I thinke, because the rootes doe grow a little spreading into severall parts, very like un∣to Ginger. Tragus calleth them Ranunculus sylvestris, whereof there are two sorts as he saith, candidus and lu∣teus, one that beareth white flowers and an other yellow: Iohannes Thalius maketh them his third kinde of Crowfeete: Gesner calleth the first white one Ranunculus Phragmitis: I have therefore upon more mature ad∣vice entituled them Wood Crowfeete, and set them in the first ranke or division: the second is called by Bau∣hinus Ranunculus nemorosus Anemones flore minor: the third, fourth and fifth, have their names in their titles: the sixt is diversly also called, for Cordus calleth it Moschatella, and some other Moschatella pratensis that it may differ from the Moschatella caerulea of Lugdunensis called also Ageratum purureum; Lobel calleth it Ranunculus minimus Septentrionalium herbido muscoso flore. Tragus and Gesner make it to be a kinde of Aristolochia, for so they accounted the Radix Cava to be, and thereupon as Camerarius saith, divers did aswell account it a kinde of Capuos as small Crowfoote. Lugdunensis calleth it Denticulata from the forme of the roote which is made as it were of many teeth set together: The seventh is Tragus his second Ranunculus sylvestris, and Lobel his Ranunculus auri∣cemus. The last hath not beene set forth by any before.

The Vertues.

By reason of the hot sharpe biting taste of the foure first sorts, they are found no lesse to exulcerate the skinne being applied, then any of the other sorts of Crowfeete; yet they may be well used to eate away and consume hard tumours, as also to take away scarres and other blemishes, and wartes upon the hands, &c. and to eate out the core of comes in the feete, the leaves or roote especially, being bruised and bound to for a certaine space: They are said also to clense foule ulcers that are much corrupted and stinking. The 6. and 7. sort are not knowne to be used. Vnto this Division appertaine those other sorts of Anemones sylvestres flore pleno, set forth in my former Worke.

Divisio secunda. The second division. Ranunculi pratenses & arvenses. Field Crowfeete.

1. Ranunculus pratensis dulcis. Sweete Meddow Crowfoote.

THis Meddow Crowfoote (which I call sweet, not as Gerard doth because it smelleth sweete, but in regard it hath to sharpe biting or exulcerating taste, as most of the other Crowfeete have, but is so sweete and pleasant, that many in Germany and other places, doe stew the leaves, when they are young among other herbes, that serve to eate) hath diverse great broad, darke greene leaves, spread upon the ground, a little hayrie, cut in on the edges into five divisions, and a little dented also about, especially at the ends, and of a paler yellowish greene on the underside, of a sweete and not unpleasant taste, as I sayd before; among which rise up diverse hayrie stalkes, with some leaves upon them, much more divided and into smaller and narrower parts, than the lower: at the toppes whereof stand many faire yellow flowers, so like unto the ne••t fielde Crowfoote, that is very violent, sharpe and exulcerating the skinne, that it can hardly

[illustration]

[illustration]

1. Ranunculus pratensis dulcis simples & multiplex. Single and double meddow Crowfoote.

2. Ranunculus pratensis acri••. The common upright field Crowfoote.

3. Ranunculus repens flore simplici & pleno. The common creeping field Crowfoote with single and double flowers.

4. Ranunculus arvorum. Crowfoote of the ploughed fields.

be knowne from it: the seed likewise that followeth is like thereunto: the roote consisteth of many white strings. Of this sort there is one that beareth double flowers,* 1.2 and is planted in gardens onely for the beauty of the flowers.

2. Ranunculus pratensis erectus acris vulgaris. The common upright field Crowfoote.

The common field Crowfoote (whose branches stand upright and bend not downe againe unto the ground, neither creepe thereon, or spread, taking roote againe in diverse places, as the next doth) hath many large darke greene leaves, cut into diverse parts, somewhat like unto the last, that many might judge it a kind of the same; but the taste declareth the difference, which is very violent, sharpe and heating upon the tongue, and blistering the skinne, if it be layd thereon, no lesse than any exulcerating or corroding herbe can doe, and will have some blacke spots upon them now and then, but not in all, or all places; the flowers are many, and of a gold yellow co∣lour, after which come small heads of seedes: the roote is fibrous as other Crowfeete are.* 1.3 Of this kinde also there is one with double flowers, which I have set forth in my former booke.

3. Ranunculus pratensis repens The common creeping field Crowfoote.

This creeping Crowfoote, that groweth commonly in fields and gardens also, is very like unto the last descri∣bed Crowfoote, both for leafe; flower, seede, and roote, but that this is more hayrie and creepeth with his bran∣ches upon the ground, taking hold by small white fibres which it shooteth forth at the joynts, and spreadeth farre thereon, his branches also rather leaning then standing upright, or rising so high but the yellow flower,* 1.4 and sharpe biting taste of the leaves is almost equall with the former. Of this kinde there is also one with double flowers nuursed in gardens.

4. Ranunculus arvorum. Crowfoote of the plowed lands.

This Crowfoote hath diverse smaller leaves, than any of the former, divided into many narrower parts, of an overworne greene colour; the stalke is about a foote or more high, bearing some leaves thereon, more jagged than the lower, and more divided at the toppe into other branches, bearing pale yellow flowers after which come rough pointed seedes, set in heads many together: the roote is composed of many white fibres or strings.

5. Ranunculus bulbosus sive tuberosus. Knobbed Crowfoote.

The knobbed or round rooted Crowfoote, hath diverse leaves rising from the roote, much more cut in and di∣vided than any of the former except the last, every one standing on a short footestalke, of an overworne greene co∣lour, among which rise up diverse slender stalkes, a foote, or halfe a yard high, with some leaves thereon at the joynts, more divided, and into longer and narrower parts than those below; at the toppes whereof, stand se∣verall faire gold yellow shining flowers, made of five leaves like the former sorts, with many threds in the mid∣dle, standing about a greene head, which after the flowers are past, groweth to be more rough or pricking than the former: the roote is white and round, of the bignesse sometime of a Wallnut, and often much lesse, being no

[illustration]

5. Ranunculus bulbosus. Knobbed Crowfoote.

Ranunculus Anglicus bulbosus. Batchelours buttons.

bigger than a beane, or sometimes an hasell nut, with some long fibres at the ends especially of it, of a m•• sharpe biting taste than any of the former.* 1.5

Of this kinde is that thought to be, that beareth double yellow flowers one out of another, and called A••g••, set forth in my former garden, whose figure is here extant also. As also one whose flower is single and red like an Orange.* 1.6

6. Ranunculus Echinatus Creticus. Small prickly headed or Crowfoote of Candye.

This small Crowfoote hath many stalkes, rising from a threddy roote, round and smooth, full of branches, scarse rising a foote high, at every joynt standeth one broad sad greene crumpled leafe, upon a very long foote stalke: the flowers at the toppes are small, and of a pale yellow colour; and the heades of many small seedes and browne set together, are somewhat sharpe and prickely.

7. Ranunculus Apuleii quibusdam. The small early Crowfoote of Apuleius.

This small early Crowfoote, which some take to be the Batrachium of Apuleius, hath diverse small and she•• leaves, lying upon the ground, not so much divided as the last, but cut into three divisions, for the most part, each of them dented at the ends, and standing upon short foote stalkes, of an inch or two long, compassing one another at the bottomes of them: from among these leaves rise up diverse weake stalkes, bowing and leaning downe to the ground againe; at the joynts whereof grow such like leaves, as grow below, standing each of them upon his short foote stalke, and with them also commeth forth at each joynt, a small short stalke, bearing a flower con∣sisting of five leaves, of a faire pale yellow colour, with diverse yellow threds in the middle; after the flowers are past, there follow five or sixe small cods or hornes, pointed and crooked at the ends, wherein lye f•• brownish round seede, somewhat like those of the Winter Wolfes bane: the roote from the head thereof, shooteth forth many white fibres, whereby it taketh fast hold on the ground, encreasing into severall heade both rootes and leaves are no lesse sharpe and biting than any of the former.

8. Ranunculus pratensis rotundifolius Bonomensis. Meddow Crowfoote of Bononia.

The leaves that rise from this blackish threddy rooted Crowfoote, are round soft and hayrie, dented abou•• the edges of a sad greene colour, and about an inch broad, standing upon very long foote stalkes, but those the grow upon the stalke are larger, and for the most part round also, a little divided into some parts, but not to the middle: the stalke is about a foote high, bending a little downe to the ground, and as it were creeping, divided into smaller branches, with large leaves at the joynts, standing upon long foote stalkes, and small pale yellow flowers set on the toppes of them, with a few yellow threds in the middle about a greene head, which growing to be ripe, hath many sharpe or prickely browne seedes set together.

9. Ranun••u us minimus Apulus. The small Crowfoote of Naples.

This small Crowfoote being the least of all the rest, hath a few small leaves, growing from the roote, divided into three parts somewhat like unto an Ivie leafe, each of them upon a small long hayrie foote stalke, no bigger than the nayle of ones finger: the stalke is about a foote high small and slender, and a little hayrie also, with some leaves thereon, and small yellow flowers at the toppe: the seede is small in heades like the other kindes, and the rootes small and fibrous.

10. Ranunculus Pannonicus maximus. The great Crowfoote of Hungary.

The great Crowfoote of Hungary, is the greatest of all these sorts of Crowfeete, having diverse very large, broad, thicke, sappy, pale, greene, shining leaves, not much lesser than Figge leaves, cut into five parts or divi∣sions, and each of them endented about the edges, being somewhat hayrie withall, a little sharpe and biting up∣on the tongue, but not so much, at most of the former sharpe sorts are: the stalkes are great, strong, and some∣what hayrie, two foote high, spread at the toppes into diverse branches, whereon stand faire gold yellow flow∣ers, like unto other Crowfeete, and such like heads of seede following them: the rootes are many white fibres or strings,* 1.7 shooting downe from a head into the ground. Very like hereunto is the great Crowfoote of Candy•• set forth in my former booke but that the rootes are composed of long kernelly knots, whose figure I here exhi∣bite unto you.

11. Ranunculus Illyricus minor. The lesser Crowfoote of Sclavonie.

The lesser Crowfoote of Illyria or Sclavonie, hath but three or foure narrow grayish greene leaves, divided into foure or five or more parts, standing upon long foote stalkes, and of a silver white shining colour underneath: the stalkes are firme and round, but small, about a foote high or more, having some such like leaves thereon, about the middle, and spreading into three or foure branches, every one beating a small shining pale yellow flower, consisting of five leaves, and sometimes two together upon a stalke: the roote is composed of many small round grayish kernels, set very close and hard together in a bunch with some fibres thereat.

12. Ranunculus Illyricus major. The greater Crowfoote of Scl••vonie.

This greater kinde is both in leafe stalke and flower, greater and larger than the former, the leaves being broa∣der and greener on the upperside, and not fully of so silver a white colour underneath, the flowers are of a f••e deepe yellow colour, and greater, but the roote hath not so many small graines or kernels set together, in any that I have observed, but shooteth forth white strings, whereby it is nourished and maintained.

* 1.8Of this kinde some have beene found growing in Apulia in the Kingdome of Naples, with a white flower, and an other with a reddish flower.

13. Ranunculus Lusitanicus autumnalis simplex. The single Portugall Crowfoote.

This Portugall Crowfoote hath many broade leaves, lying upon the ground, almost round yet pointed, and finely dented about the edges, not divided at all, but somewhat hayrie full of veines, and of a darke greene colour on the upperside, and of a yellowish greene underneath, which continue all the winter, not falling away untill fresh doe spring up: from among these leaves shoote forth two or three small slender hayrie short stalkes, not a foote high, bare without leaves, bearing each of them one small yellow flower, composed of five, and sometime of sixe leaves, with some yellow threds in the middle, which fall away most usually with us, without bearing any seede, in regard it flowreth so late in Autumne, but in the naturall places; and sometimes with us, if the yeare be very hot, and fitting for it: it beareth a small head of such like seede, as the field Crowfoote beareth; the roote is made of small round whitish long kernels or pieces, many set together, somewhat like the Illyri••; but greater and longer: This kinde Clusius observed in the Olive-yards about Lisbone, to grow with larger crum∣pled

[illustration]

[illustration]

7. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ap••l•• quibusd••. The small early Crowfoote of Apuleius.

8. Ranunculus pratensis rotundifolius Bononiensis. Meadow Crowfoote of Bonenia.

Ranunculus globosus. The globe Crowfoote or Locker Goulous.

6. Ranunculus Creticus echinat us. Small prickly headed Crowfoote of Candie.

[illustration]

11. 12. Ranunculus Illyricuus major & minor. The greater & lesser Slav••nian Crowfoote.

13. Ranunculus L••s••nicus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 The Portugall Crowfoote.

or swolne leaues, like as it were blisters upon them, and bearing the flower with eight or ten leaves, some∣times as if it were double, whereof he giveth a figure, but the seede will beare such like plants, as he setteth forth the other to be, and therefore giveth no other mention or description thereof.

14. Ranunculus autumnalis flore multiplici. Double flowred Autumne Crowfoote.

This is so like the last in the manner of the growing and flowring, that onely the double yellow flowers make the difference.

15. Ranunculus grumosaradice Bononiensis. Meddow Crowfoote of Bononia with kernelly rootes.

This Crowfoote hath a roote made of many small long and round white kernels, or graines set close together, with diverse long fibres at them, from whence rise up somewhat round leaves, but deepely cut in on the edges, into three parts, somewhat like unto those of the round rooted Crowfoote, sustained by long foote stalkes, and somewhat hayrie: from among which rise up the stalkes, that are hayrie also, and about a foote high, having leaves set thereon at two severall distances, much more cut in and jagged than those below, not divided into many branches, whose flowers at the tops of them are yellow, like unto other field Crowfeete: the small head of rough seede that followeth, is sharpe pointed, and shorter than others.

16. Ranunculus Geranii tuberosi folio. Iagged Field Crowfeete of Pad••.

The rootes of this Crowfeete consist of long whitish strings, sending forth many darky greene smooth leaves, very much jagged or cut into diverse parts, somewhat like unto the leaves of the knobbed Cranes bill, but larger, each of the cuts being larger and broader than they, which are cut in againe, so that the whole leafe being almost round, is halfe a foote long, and neere so broad also, set upon a foote stalke; an hand breadth long; from among which rise up, diverse smooth greene crested stalkes, about two foote high, spread into branches, having finer cut leaves on them, and small pale yellow flowers at the toppes, with many threds in the middle, like unto others, after which cometh a small round knappe or head of seede.

The Place.

All these sorts of Crowfeete, doe grow in fields, meddowes, and a••able grounds, many of them in our owne land, especially the first five sorts; the rest by their titles may be understood from whence they came.

The Time.

The first and the great Candye sort are the earliest in flower, which is about March and Aprill, and thē 13: and 14. are the latest that flower of all the rest, which is not untill September, all the other in May and Iune.

The Names.

It is called in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and there after in Latine Ranunculus, non solam quiaranarum colorem folia mul∣ta imitantur, sed potius quia inter folia ranae ut plurimum degunt: in English we call them Crowfeete, rather than Frogwort after the Latine, from the divisions of the leaves, as I thinke, and therefore some call them Podes galli, according to Pliny, yet some writers thought them to be Coronopus pes corvi of Dioscorides, and from thence

[illustration]

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14. Ranunculus autumnalis flore multiplici. Double flowred autumne Crowfoote.

Ranunculus Creticus latifolius. Yellow broade leafed Crowfoote of Candy.

it is most likely our English name of Crowfeete came they have also diverse other English names, as King Cups, gold cuppes, Basinets after the French, Pissabeds, Bolts, Troll flower, and Locker Goulons, which two last are more proper to the eight kinde in my former Booke: of the Italians Ranoncolo and Pie Corvino; of the Spaniards Yerva belida, of the French Grenoilette, of the Germanes Hanen fuss, and of the Dutch Hanen voet. The first is Tragus his first Ranunculus dulcis sive pratensis by Fuchsius Chrysanthemum simplex, by Dodonaeus in his French Herball and by Lugdunensis Polyanthemum simplex, by Tabermoutanus Ranunculus dulcis, & by Bauhinus Ranunculus pratensis erectus dulcis: the second is the Ranunculus luteus of Tragus, the Ranunculus pratensis surrectis cauliculis of Lobel, & the se∣cond Ranunculus luteus of Dodonaeus & Lugdunensis. Thalius calleth it Ranunculus polyanthemus maculatus, and Ge∣rard Ranunculus Batrachoides: the third is called by Lobel Ranunculus pratensis reptante cauliculo, by Thalius Ranun∣culus polyanthemos primus, by Dodonaeus and Lugdunensis, Ranunculus hortensis primus, by Tabermontanus Ranun∣culus vinealis, and by Bauhinus Ranunculus pratensis repens hirsutus: the fourth is called by Lobel in his Icones Ranunculus arvorum, as it is in the title, by Dodonaeus and Lobel in his observations Ranunculus sylvestris tertius; by Cordus in his history of Plants, Ranunculus segetalis, by Gesner in hortis Germaniae Ranunculus arvensis, and by Bauhinus Ranunculus arvensis echinatus: The fift is called by Tragus Ranunculus exiguus & sceleratissimus, and by Gesner in hort Germaniae Ranunculus Flammula dictus, by Lobel Ranunculus bulbosus, and by Dodonaeus tu∣berosus, by Brunfelsius Crus Galli and Coronopus parvus; it is generally taken to be, and so called Batrachium Apuleij, Bauhinus calleth it Ranunculus pratensis radice verticilli modo rotunda. The sixt is called by Pona in his Italian description of Mount Baldus, Ranunculus echinatus Creticus, which he saith he had from Signior Contarini of Venice, Bauhinus calleth it Ranunculus stellatus echinatus Creticus: the seaventh is called by Clusius Ranunculus Apuleij quibusdam, Pena and Lobel set it forth in their Adversaria, under the name of Ranunculus palustris, ro∣tundiore folio semine echinato, but as Bauhinus saith in his Phytopinax and Prodromus, they confound it with the other Ranunculus palustrie rotundifolius laevis and therefore he calleth it Ranunculus palustris echinatus, not that it grow∣eth in moorish ground but in wet fields. The eighth is called by Bauhinus Ranunculus rotundifolius repens echina∣tus. The ninth is called by Columna Ranunculus minimus Apulus, as it is in the title, and by Bauhinus Ranun∣culus arvensis parvus folio trifido. The tenth is called by Clusius Ranunculus Platophyllos, and is his fift Montanus, which Bauhinus calleth Latissimo folio hirsutus. The eleventh is generally called of most writers, as also with all Herbarists, Ranunculus Illyricus minor, and is the fourth Ranunculus grumosaradice of Clusius, and by Bauhinus Ranunculus l••ginosus angustifolius grumosa radice minor. The twelfth is called by all Illyricus major, being of the same kind, which Bauhinus therefore calleth, Ranunculus lanuginosu•• angustifolius grumosa radice major, and re∣membred by Clusius in the same place with the other. The thirteenth is called by Clusius Ranunculus antumna∣lis, and Lusitanicus, and is his first Ranunculus grumosa radice, whereof he maketh two sorts, and hath two figures upon the diversities of the leaves and flowers, it is therefore called Lusitanicus by Lobel, Dodonaeus, Dalechampius and all others, except Bauhinus, who calleth it Ranunculus latifolius bullat••e Asphodeli radice. The foureteenth is remembred by Iacobus Cornutus onely in his Booke of Canada plants. The fifteenth is called by Bauhinus Ranunculus grumosa radice folio Ranunculi bulbosi. The last is called also by him Ranunculus Geranij tuberosi folio, as it is in the title.

The Vertues.

The first of these kindes, being of no sharpe or biting taste, is held to be harmelesse; for the Germanes as Tragus saith, use to eate it familiarly among other herbes: but the others are sharpe and doe exulcerate the skinne, especially the fift kinde more than any of the rest, and therefore not to be used inwardly in any case: the second and third sorts here expressed, are oftentimes used to be laid to the wrists of the hands, to drive away agues, the leaves being bruised, with a few cornes of bay salt, and a little glasse of windowes, beaten small and mixed to∣gether. Camerarius saith that they in Germany used to apply the roote of the fift kinde to plague sores, to draw them to maturity and breake them, yet it is no other likely but the other sharpe rootes will doe the like, for they will breake tumours and draw impostumes being wisely applied; and Tragus saith, that even those that are not sharpe, doe discusse and dissolve hard tumors in any part of the body, being applied: a peece of the round roo∣teed Crowfoote put betweene those teeth that doe ake, or into an hollow tooth, taketh away the paine, but many times, it either breaketh those that are hollow, or causeth them to fall out: some write, that applied to the finger, by causing more paine therein, than is felt, by the touthach, it taketh away the paine: the decoction of the leaves of the field Crowfeete, healeth scabs and the itch, but they must not be suffered to abide long upon the places; it is likewise used to stay the falling of the haire, the head being washed therewith, being made warme, but not to rest thereon above two or three houres, and then washed off with fresh warme water: it is also said that if the roote be bruised, and applied unto a foule ulcer, it will clense and take away all the filthy and corrupt matter therein, leaving the sore faire to be healed up with other convenient things, but it must not lie long to the sore lest it worke too forciblie: all these sharpe Crowfeete, have the same operation to take away wartes, or the scabbed ruggednesse of nailes, markes, spots, and blemishes in the skin, and all the other properties attributed to these sorts of Crowfeete, mentioned in the former division: besides being mixed with swines dung, they breake Scrophulas, or the small kernells under the eares, and of the necke called the Kings Evill, and ap∣plyed to the Haemorrhoides or piles that swell and bleede not, helpeth to discusse or take, them away: but in no hand must it be applyed to those that are open and bleede. The distilled water of the herbe, whilst it is in flower, worketh safely to all the purposes aforesaid, and as some report is given with good successe inwardly, with some Holland pouther, or the species called Lithontribon, to provoke urine when it is stopped, and to breake the stone: the dryed rootes of most of them made into pouther, and put into the nose procureth neefing.

Divisio tertia. The third Division.

1. Ranunculi Montani. Mountaine Crowfoote.

OF some of these Crowfeete I have entreated in my former Booke, by the name of Ranunculus montanus humilior, of two sorts, and is the first small figure set here also. Ranunculus montanus albus minor flore simplici, which is the second figure here, and the double sort among the other garden sorts hereafter. Ranunculus Thalictri and Rutaceofolio both in one figure, being the third in place: and then Ranunculus Thalictri folio mi•• Asphodeli radice the fourth: and Ranunculus gramineus flore luteo simplici & duplici the fift, which are not here againe described: but there are a great many other sorts which I will here bring to your consideration and speake of them.

1. Ranuntulus montanus maximus albus. The greater white Mountaine Crowfoote.

The great white Mountaine Crowfoote differeth from the lesser single white mountaine Crowfeete that is set forth in my former booke (whose figure I give you here in the second place) chiefly in these thing, that the leaves of this Crowfoote, being somewhat hairy and very large, are divided to the stalke into five parts, and each of them somewhat deepelier dented about the edges, resembling the leaves of the Globe Crowfoote, but larger and standing upon footestalkes, that are hairy and a foote long almost: the maine stalke is somewhat great and hairy, bare almost of leaves unto the top, where it brancheth out into flowers, under which stand at the joynt three large leaves, much more divided then those below: the flowers are many, each standing on a long footestalk very large and white, consisting of five leaves so large that the whole flower seemeth to bee as great as a single purple ringed Daffodill, and very sweete withall, having many yellow threds in the middle, standing about a greene head, whereon being ripe the seede groweth many set together; the roote is somewhat great and long, but as it were bitten off in the halfe, with many long blackish strings hanging thereat.

2. Ranunculus montanus Pennai. The great purple mountaine Crowfoote.

This great Crowfoote hath foure or five or more very large and hairy leaves, rising from the roote, set upon long hairy foote stalkes, each whereof is devided into five or more parts, deepely cut in unto the middle, dented likewise about the edges, and of a darke greene colour on the upper side, and grayish, or as it were hoary under∣neath, among which riseth up a strong round hollow stalke, hairy also, about a yard high, bearing a leafe onely at the top much divided, and from thence spreadeth into three or foure or more small branches, each sustaining a small leafe or two, about which standeth the flower, consisting of five round leaves of a purplish colour on the under side, and about the edges of the inside, but pure white on the rest of the inside; having many yellow threds in the middle, about a greene head, which beareth many flattish and blackish browne sharpe pointed seede: the roote is composed of many long fibres or strings, and hairy at it were at the head thereof.

3. Ranunculus Plantaginis folio. Plantaine leafed Crowfoote.

This Pyrenean Crowfoote hath three or foure leaves rising from the roote, set on pretty long footestalkes, be∣ing somewhat long and broad like unto Plantaine leaves, with ribs therein, but more pointed at the ends, not devi∣ded or dented about the edges, but smooth and plaine with some veines running through the length of them, and pointed at the ends of a whitish or grayish greene colour, circled at it were with a white downe: the stalke i•• round, firme, and greene, about a foote and a halfe high, bearing two or three longer leaves, broad at the bot∣tome and compassing the stalke, which devideth it selfe at the top, into two or three small branches, having every of them a small long leafe at the foote thereof, and a reasonable large flower at the head without any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 consisting of five white round pointed leaves, with many yellowish threds in the middle, and a round greene head, which afterwards growing ripe hath many seedes set together, like unto divers other sorts of Crowfoote

[illustration]

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Ranunculus Montanus humilior albus simplex & duplex. Single and doublecow white mountaine Crowfoote.

Ranunculus Montanus albus minor simplex. The lesser single white mountaine Crowfoot.

the roote is composed of many white strings or fibres, fastned to a head which is somewhat hairy, and abideth many yeares, but the leaves perish quite in the end of Summer, and are renewed in the spring.

4. Ranunculus Pyrenaeus albus duplex. Double white Crowfoote of the Pyrenean hills.

This Crowfoote differeth little from the last but in the flowers which are not so many together, and consist of two rowes of white leaves.

5. Ranunculus montanus Betonicae foliis. Mountaine Crowfoote with Betony like leaves.

This small Crowfoote hath divers leaves rising from the roote, somewhat broad and long, full of small veines which make it seeme rugged every one upon a little short footestalke, roundly dented about the edges and round at the point or end, very like unto the leaves of Betony, but that they are smaller, of a brownish greene colour on the upper side, and of a silver white shining colour underneath: the slender hayrie stalke that riseth up in the middle of those leaves, doth scarse exceede the length of ones hand, bare or naked without any leaves unto the top, where it beareth one flower onely, like unto the last described single Crowfoote but smal∣ler, consisting of five small white leaves, pointed at the ends with some yellow threds in the middle, having five small greene leaves under it, as a huske wherein it is set: the seede is conteined in a small rough head like unto other Crowfeete: the roote is a small tuft of white Fibres, somewhat like unto the roote of Betony: the whole plant both leaves and rootes are bitter, with an exceeding austere or astringent binding taste, whereby it is judged not to be hurtfull or offensive, but rather acceptable to the stomacke, and may be profitable for moyst, and cold diseases thereof.

6. Ranunculus graminaeus bulbosus. The bulbed grasseleafed Crowfoote.

This bulbed grasseleafed Crowfoote hath divers very long and narrow, smooth, grayish, greene leaves, some∣what hairy at the bottome, and with some long veines therein; from among which riseth up a slender stalke, about a foote high, with two small long leaves thereon, not branched at all, but bearing out of a small huske of five greene parts, one small faire shining yellow flower, like unto other Crowfeete, as is the seede also, being many set together on a long head, and every one pointed with a crooked end: the roote is somewhat round at the bottome, with a long necke upward, covered with a blackish hairy coate or covering, with divers thicke and round Fibres growing underneath, thicker at the ends then at the heads with some small hairy fibres at the end of them: within that outer hairy coate is found a round bulbous roote, like unto that of Gladiolus or Corne Flagge, the one set upon the other which was the elder, and seemed as it were shrunke.

7. Ranunculus gramineus perfoliatus. Thorough leafed grasse Crowfoote.

This small thorough leafed grasse Crowfoote sendeth forth from a small fibrous roote, divers narrow grayish greene grassie leaves, about two inches long, yet somewhat broader then the last; from the middle of whom riseth up the stalke, scarse higher then the leaves, having two long leaves about the middle thereof, broad at the bottome and compassing the stalke, like unto that small kind of yellow Centory, that hath his name from that effect, which brancheth it false at the top, bearing two or three very small greenish yellow flowers, consisting of five broad leaves, somewhat foulded inward, and not layd fully open: the head of seede is small, but like unto

[illustration]

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Ranunculus nemorosus Thalictri & Rutaceo folio. Medow Rue and Garden Rue leafed Crowfoote.

Ranunculus Thalictri folio minor Asphodeli radicibus. Colombine leafed Crowfoot with Asphodill rootes.

Ranunculus gramineus flore luteo simplici & duplici. Yellow grasse Crowfoot single and double.

Ranunculus montanus maximus albus. The great white mountaine Crowfoote.

the grasse Crowfoote described in my former Booke.* 1.9 Of this kinde there is another whose leaves are somewhat broader, and the flowers more spread open, and with sharper ends.

8. Ranunculus pumilus alter angustifolius. Another small narrow leafed Crowfoote.

There is another of this last kinde, which groweth a little bigger and higher, and beareth but one yellow flower upon the toppe of the stalke, larger than in any other of these three last grasse Crowfeete.

9. Ranunculus Asphodeli radice flore luteo. Yellow Crowfoote with Asphodill rootes.

I have in my former Booke set forth one of this kind, very like hereunto both for forme of flowers and rootes, whose figure you have before: this other differeth from it in the leaves (the former being somewhat broa∣der than this, very like unto the small Thalictrum) which are very small, narrow, and much divided, very like unto the leaves of the greater Bulbocastanum, or earth Chesnut; some lying upon the ground, and others standing more upright, each standing upon a reddish hairy foote stalke, which with the leaves is very nigh halfe a foote long, in the middle of whom appeareth a greene head before the stalke is risen, and beareth it at the toppe there∣of, as it riseth; which when it is ripe ready to blow, sheweth to be but one faire shining yellow flower, (whereas the other hath many white ones) consisting of five round pointed leaves; with many yellow threds in the middle, standing about a greene head, which in time groweth somewhat longer than in other sorts of Crowfeete, having many crooked seedes set together thereon, but much smaller than in many of the other: the stalke is singular, not many, but hairy and reddish, seldome branched, but bearing two or three divided leaves towards the toppes, somewhat broader that those below, upon short footestalkes, at severall distances one above another, on both sides thereof: the roote is composed of diverse tuberous, round and somewhat long clogs, ending in a very long fibre, very like unto the other.

10. Ranunculus alter saxatilis Asphodeli radice. The pale Crowfoote of Naples, with Asphodill roote.

This Crowfoote of Naples, hath many thicke cloggie rootes, joyned together at the end, greater above and smaller downewards, of about a thummes length, with many small fibres among them, from whence the first leaves that rise up are broad, somewhat deepely cut in on the edges on both sides, but those that follow next are much more divided, and into many parts, each part cut in also and dented besides on the edges, and standing upon long foote stalkes, which are broader at the bottome than above, and compasse one another at the foote, for a little way upward, being somewhat hairy also, greene on the upperside and whiter underneath: the stalke is round and hairy, about a foote and a halfe high, having diverse leaves thereon, much more divided than those below; and at the joynts with the leaves toward the toppes come forth long branches, with small jagged leaves on them, under a small tuft of three or foure large pale flowers, of five broad or round pointed leaves, of the breadth of ones naile, with many yellow threds in the middle: the seede is small, round, flat and pointed, many set together on a long head.

11. Ranunculus montanus hirsutus latifolius. Great hairy Mountaine Crowfootes.

The first leaves of this Crowfoote are round, like those of Doves foote, very hairy, of a blackish greene co∣lour, and soft, divided or cut into three parts, each of them also parted into three smaller divisions, standing upon

[illustration]

2. Ranunculus montanus Pennaei. The great purple mountaine Crowfoote.

3. Ranunculus plantaginis folio. Plantaine leafed Crowfoote.

long hairy footestalkes, yet those that follow are broader, more divided and hairy, among which riseth up a straked hollow stalke, a cubite and a halfe high, with diverse leaves set thereon, and parted toward the toppe into many branches, having small pale yellow flowers on them, like unto others of this kinde, and seede also in the like man∣ner, the roote is long made of many fibres.

12. Ranunculus montanus lanuginosus folijs Ranunculi pratensis repentis. Woolly mountaine Crowfoote.

The roote of this Crowfoote hath reddish strings or fibres, sending forth a small soft woolly stalke, about a cu∣bite high, devided into many branches, with pale greene leaves set thereon, being soft and woolly, and standing on woolly long footestalkes, an hand breadth long, devided into three principall parts, and each of them into others, and dented about the edges, very like unto those of the Medow creeping Crowfoote; the flowers hereof that stand at the toppes of the branches are yellow, but larger than the last.

13. Ranunculus saxatilis magno flore. Rocke Crowfoote with large flowers.

This Crowfoote hath many small leaves rising from a long fibrous roote, set upon long foote stalkes, scarse so broad as the naile of ones hand, parted into three

[illustration]

4 Ranunculus Pyraeneus albus duplex. Double white Crowfoote of the Pyrenian hills.

5 Ranunculus montanus Be∣tonica foliis. Mountaine Crowfoote with Betony-like leaves.

7. Ranunculus gramineus persoliatus. Thorough leafed grasse Crowfoote.

Ranunculus alter non perfoliatus latifolius.

8. Ranunculus pumilus angustifolius. Another small norrow leafed Crowfoote.

small jagges, and they againe into two or three o∣ther, somewhat soft, and woolly: the stalke that riseth up among these, is scarse an hand breadth high, somewhat woolly also bearing but one large flower at the toppe, of a shining gold yel∣low colour, made of five leaves, with many deeper yellow threds in the middle.

14. Ranunculus saxatilis folijs subrotundis. Rocke Crowfoote with roundish leaves.

This small Rocke Crowfoote, hath a few some∣what round leaves spread upon the ground, thicke and hairy, scarse a nailes breadth, yet devided into small peeces, which also are cut in on the edges, standing upon short footestalkes, scarce an inch long: the slender woolly stalke that brancheth it selfe from the bottome, riseth not above halfe a foote high with some leaves at the foote of the branches, and many yellow flowers of five small leaves at the toppes: the roote is small and fi∣brous.

15. Ranunculus minimus saxatilis hirsutus. The smallest hairy Rocke Crowfoote.

This smallest Crowfoote spreadeth diverse ve∣rie small, and somewhat round hairy leaves, cut into three round parts, and dented about the edges, standing upon small long hairy foote stalkes, in the middle of which riseth up, a small slender hairy branched stalke, not above two or three inches high, with small yellow flowers, at the toppes, like unto the rest, and so is the seede that followeth, the roote likewise is small and fibrous.

16. Ranunculus vilosissimus Monspeliacus. Small red hairy Crowfoote of Mompelior.

This red hairy Crowfoote of Mompelier, hath a small roote made of many reddish fibres, from whence spring up diverse thicke small and

hairy leaves, at the first being devided into diverse peeces, some whereof are round, and other sharpe pointed; but those that rise up with the hairy stalke, are devided into long and pointed peeces, and as it were prickly at the ends, but of an uneven length, some being longer and shorter than others; which stalke being of an hand breadth high, and branched at the toppe, hath a small devided leafe, at the foote of every of those small branches, that beare yellow flowers of a meane bignesse, like unto others of this sort, the whole plant is covered with red∣dish soft haires, that it seemeth as if it were reddish it selfe.

The Place.

All these sorts of Crowfeete grow upon the Mountaines, some in Germany, some on Mount Iura by Savoy, some by Mompelier, and others in the Kingdome of Naples, or on the Pyrenean hills, none of them being knowne to grow wild in our countrie.

The Time.

They doe all of them flower about May and Iune, and their seede is ripe quickly after.

The Names.

The first kinde which is of two sorts, Clusius maketh to be his second kinde of Mountaine Crowfoote, of two sorts, but this is the later of his. Lobel calleth it Aconitum Batrachoides, and is the fift Ranunculus montanus of Bauhinus in his Pinax which hee calleth Narcisci flore: the second is Clusius his third Mountaine Crowfoote, which he saith Dr. Penny a Physition of our London Colledge, sent him the figure and description, finding it on Mount Iura nere Geneva; and is Bauhinus his sixt Ranunculus montanus hirsutus purpurascente flore, and saith it is the Aconitum candidum acaulon Dalechampij that Lugdunensis set forth, but how can this with a high stalke and a purplish flower, be called Candidum and acaulon without a stalke, I know not: the third Clusius nameth Ranun∣culus Pyrenaeus albo flore, whose leaves as he saith are like unto those of Plantaine, and therefore with most Her∣barists is called now adayes, Ranunculus plant aginis folio, and so doth Bauhinus, who likewise seemeth to thinke, that it may be the Ranunculus Phaeniceus Myconi, for the resemblance of the long leaves, like unto those of the Date tree: but herein, in my opinion he is much mistaken, for that the roote of that Ranunculus is Bulbous, and therefore more likely to be another, as I shall shew you, by and by: the fourth and fift have no other names than are in their titles, being plants never set forth by any before, but growing on one of the Alpes, which the inhabitants call Mont senis, & sent the one by Monnel, & the other by Peliterius unto Dr. Lobel: the sixt Fabius Columna finding on the hill Aequicolo, in the Kingdome of Naples, calleth it Ranunculus leptomacrophyllon bulbosus, or Ranunculus bulbosus gramineus montanus, which Bauhinus thereupon calleth Ranunculus gramineo folio bulbosus, and as I think doth more nearely resemble, the Ranunculus Phaeniceus Myconi, set forth in the great Herball called Lugdunensis, which hee saith groweth plentifully at the foote of the hills of Santa Maria Monteserato, and the places there abouts, and as he saith there, hath bulbous rootes and long narrow leaves, and so hath this, but the former hath neither. The seventh and eight with the other of the same kinde are likewise plants never written of by any other before, and therefore their titles must stand as they doe. The ninth Fabius Columna found likewise in the hills Campoclarenses and Aequicoli, and calleth it Ranunculus montanus Leptophyllos Alphodeli radice which is very like unto that with Asphodill rootes, which I have set forth in my former Book, having leaves like the small Thali∣ctrum, and a white flower but this hath yellow, which as I there said, Lugdunensis setteth among the umbelliferous plants, and calleth it Oenanthe Miconi, because he finding it on the rockie or stony hills in Spaine, referred it unto Oenanthe, in regard of the rootes; but the flowers and seede demonstrate it plainely to be no such plant, but a plaine Crowfoote, as both by the comparison and mine owne inspection (having had it growing in mine owne Gar∣den many yeares, and seene it with others) may truely be testified: The tenth Fabius Columna found likewise on the contrary colder side of those hills Aequicoli, and called it, as it is in the title: the last sixe sorts have their names in their titles, as Bauhinus calleth them in his Pinax and Prodromus.

The Ʋertues.

Most of these sorts of Crowfeete being hot and sharpe in taste, and exulcerating the skinne, no lesse than many of the former, cannot be but of the same quality with them, and although there hath not so many and manifest trials, beene made of these being most of them but of late invention, yet no doubt but they may be applied, for the same purposes; according to their degree, in being more or lesse sharpe than others; onely the fourth sort that hath leaves like Betony, for the forme sake of the flowers, being joyned to this family, as is said in the des∣cription, hath no such hot sharpe or exulcerating propertie, but as is there said being somewhat bitter, and excee∣ding astringent in taste, is held assuredly to be friendly to the stomacke, as other things that are of the same qualitie of bitternesse and astriction; which helpe to stay and drie up the defluxions of humors, be they cold or hot that fall from the head upon the stomacke and lungs, and to preserve them from putrefaction caused thereby.

Ranunculi hortensis. Garden Crowfeete.

THose Crowfeete that are chiefefly noursed up in Gardens, should follow next, but that I have already shewed them in my former Booke, selecting all those that beare flowers of any beautie, out of all the rest of the Tribes or Families, to store that Garden with all as was most fit and proper: whosoever therefore are desi∣rous to see their discriptions or know farther of them, I must referre them to that Booke wherein they may see and reade the varieties there expressed. The Anemones also or Wind flowers and Pulsatillas as being kindes of Crowfeete their sharpe taste and exulcerating qualitie declaring the same, shuold beare a place here with the rest, but that they are all likewise described aforehand, yet I thinke it not a misse to give you some figures of them, to beautifie this worke and to please your eyes.

[illustration]

Ranunculus albus multiplex. The double white Crowfoote.

Ranunculus Asiaticus flore rubro ampio s••plici, vel vers••. The large red or the party coloured Crowfoote of Asia.

Ranunculus Creticus vel Asiaticus flore argenteo. The silver like Crowfoote or Candy or Asia.

Ranunculus Asiaticus vel Creticus flore albo. Single white Crowfoote of Asia or Candy.

[illustration]

Ranunculus Asiaticus flore pleno & Prolifero. Double red Crowfoote of Turkie.

Pulsatilla vulgaris. Ordinary Pasque flower.

Pulsatilla rubra. Red Pasque flower.

Pulsatilla alba. White Pasque flower.

[illustration]

Anemone latifolia prima Clusij. Clusius his first broad leafed Wind flower.

Anemone latifolia chermefina. The double crimson broad leafed Wind flower.

Anemone latifolia flore purpureo. Broad leafed Wind flower with purple flowers.

Anemone maxima Chalcedonica. The great Wind flower of Constantinople.

[illustration]

Anemones maxima Chalcedonicae flo••. The flower of the great Windflower of Constantinople.

Anemone tennifolia flore simplici violace••. The thinne leafed Wind flower with a single purple flower.

Ranunculi palustres & Aquatiles. Marsh and Water Crowfoote.

Such sorts of Crowfeete likewise should follow, and be joyned to the rest, as grow in Morish grounds or Watery places, if I had not set and propounded to my selfe an other manner of method to follow in this Worke; I must referre therefore all those that are desirous, to be satisfied with the knowledge of them unto their proper place, where they shall be intreated of all together, with all other sorts of herbes, naturally growing in such places, which is the Classis of Morish and Watery plants.

CHAP V. Mandrogoras Mandrake.

ALthough I have declared in my former Booke the diversities of Mandrake, both male and female, yet I thinke it not a misse to remember them here againe, being a plant both of that worth and rarie∣tie, and dangerous and profitable qualities therein, especially soporiferous whereof some ensuing plants doe partake.

1. Mandrogoras mas vulgatior. The more ordinary male Mandrake.

This male Mandrake thrusteth forth from the roote (which groweth somewhat great and downe right, in some but with one, in others with two, three or foure twines or branches, devided a little below the head or toppe, and diverse small fibers besides, blackish on the out side, & whitish within, without other shape of mans or womans parts, whatsoever cunning knaves may forme other rootes by Art to be like what they please) many large leaves lying on the ground greater than any Beete leaves, whereunto Dioscorides compareth them: from the middle of whom rise up sundry pale greene flowers, made of five round leaves apeece, each standing on a small slender foote stalke within a greene five leafed huske wherein afterwards is the fruit set, being of the big∣nesse of a reasonable Pippin, and as yellow as gold when it is thorough ripe with divers round whitish flat seedes within it, and of an heady or strong stuffing sent, this is the true description of the plant, and therefore those idle formes of the Mandrakes and Womandrakes, as they are foolishly so called, which have beene exposed to publike view, both in ours and other lands and countries, are utterly deceitfull being the work of cunning knaves, onely to get mony by their forgery: doe not misdoubt of this relation no more than you would of any other plant set downe in this booke, for it is the plaine truth whereon every one may relie.

2. Mandragoras mas alter. Another male Mandrake.

I saw in my Lord Wo••tton his Garden at Canterbury, whereof M^r. Iohn Tradescant had then the keeping an

other sort of male Mandrake whose leaves were of a more grayish greene colour and somewhat foulded toge∣ther differing herein from the forerecited kinde which grew there hard by this also, but what fruit it bore could not be assured having never borne any as they said.

3. Mandragoras foemineus. The female Mandrake.

The female Mandrake hath likewise many leaves lying on the ground, but smaller, narrower, more crumpled and of a darker greene colour, resembling those of Lettice as Dioscorides compareth them: the flowers also rise from among the leaves, each on his slender footestalke as in the former, but of a blewish purple colour: the fruit that followeth is much smaller than those of the male, but

[illustration]

Mandragoras mas & soemineus. The male and female Mandrake.

round like them, and not peare fashion as some have thought, (for Clusius who saw diverse of them, growing naturally in sundry places in Spaine denieth it) of a paler yellow colour when they are ripe, and of a more pleasing, or rather of a lesse heady sent, than the apples of the male, wherein are contained such like seede but smaller and blacker, the roote also is like the former, blackish without and white within, neere unto the same forme, parted into more or fewer branches, as nature listeth.

The Place.

They grow in woods and shadowie places, and the female by rivers sides, in diverse countries beyound the Alpes, but not on this side naturally, as in Graecia, the Iles of Candy, and others in the Mediterranean sea, Italy also and Spaine: withus they are noursed up as rarieties in Gar∣dens, the male in sundry places: but the female onely with the curious, as being both farre more rare to get, and more tender to keepe.

The Time.

The male flowreth in March and the fruit is ripe in Iuly the female as Clusius saith, he found in some places in Spaine in flower in February, and in the same moneth in o∣ther places of Spaine it had ripe fruit, but with us where it is best preserved, it flowreth not untill August or September, and the fruit seldome or never ripeneth.

The Names.

It is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and Mandragoras also in Latine, quod ad mandras pecorum aliasque speluncas proveniat; some also as Dioscorides saith in his time called it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and Circaea, because Circe the great enchantresse used it as is thought in love matters; Pythagoras called it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a forma humana, because the roote hath some likenesse of a mans body with two legges, but without armes; they are called also Mala canina & terrestria. Dioscorides saith the female was called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 tridacias of the Letice like leaves, and niger, as the male was called Candidus, the fruit of both is round, but of the female as Dioscorides saith, like 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sorbis, and not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ovis, as Ruellius his Translation hath it, which caused some to figure it peare fashion, especi∣ally seeing Oribasius who followed Dioscorides most nearely compareth the fruit as well to acradibus as wild peares; but you here before Clusius his deniall thereof, as an oculatus testis of all those that he saw, so that if any fall out otherwise, it might be rather accounted Iusus naturae, than the ordinary propertie in nature. Dioscorides his third sort called Morion, is not Theophrastus his Mandragoras as Cordus thought, which lib. 6. cap. 2. hee saith hath a stalke as Elleborus, Cicuta and Albucum, but is much controverted by diverse, being not certainely knowne what herbe it is, and peradventure also not to Dioscorides himselfe, for he relateth it but by hearesay, as he doth many other things which were not of his owne knowledge. Matthiolus defendeth Hermolaus Barba∣rus against Brasavolus and Fuchsius, who judged that Hermolaus thought the Melongena or Mala insana to be Dioscorides his Morion, which he describeth, ut ferunt or tradunt, to grow nigh unto caves in sundry woods, with lesser white leaves than those of the white Mandrake, a spanne long lying about the roote, which is tender and white longer then ones hand, and of the thicknesse of ones thumbe: tradunt againe saith he, that if a dramme of the roote be given any man in bread or broath, it will take away the use of reason and sense, causing him to sleepe for three or foure houres, after the same manner of disposition as when he tooke it: Physitians use this when there is cause to burne or cut off any member, (that is, to cast him into a deepe or dead sleepe, that the paines may not be so sensible:) by these words of Dioscorides, it doth plainely appeare to me, that his Morion is but another species of the former which hath no stalkes, for the leaves he saith (and peradventure the fruite also) lie on the ground about the head of the roote: but Pliny hath faulted foulely in describing the Mandrakes, making those of Theophrastus and Dioscorides to be one, and transferring that which is proper to the one unto the o∣ther. The sundry fables hereof reported in Matthiolus and others are not fit here to be related; who so are de∣sirous to know them, may reade them in thir Authors or Relators. The Arabians call it Iabora and Yabro••ach; the Italians Mandragora; the Spaniards Mandracola; the French Mandragore and Mandagloire; the Germans Alraum; the Dutch Mandragora; and we in English Mandrake:

The Ʋertues.

The Mandrake as Galen saith is of an exceeding cold qualitie even in the third degree, yet hath in it some heate, in the barke of the roote is some drinesse, and in the apple some moisture, whereby it is of a soporiferous pro∣pertie causing sleepinesse or drowsinesse, as Levinus Lemnius in his Herball to the Bible maketh mention of

an experiment of his owne, that upon a suddaine became drowsie, sitting at his booke in his study, and mu∣sing what should be the cause, found that it proceeded from the sent of one of these apples, which he had laid on a shelfe therein, which being removed he found no further inconvenience: the barke or the juice taken therefro, is given to those that in their sickenesse cannot sleepe, the decoction of the roote in wine also doth the same, and is exhibited to those (as is aforesaid) that are to be seared, or a limbe or member to be cut off, to induce the lesse sence of paine: the condensate juice taken to the waight of one scruple in sweete wine, purgeth flegme and melancholy by vomit like unto Hellebor, but taken in a greater quantity it killeth: it is used also in pessa∣ries, either of it selfe, or with other emollient thinges to take away the hardnesse of the matrix, to procure their courses, and to expell the dead birth. But see that not above halfe a scruple be used at a time: the said juice is also used with those ocular medicines that coole inflammations in the eyes: the leaves are likewise used for the same purpose, as also impostumes, and discusse, all hardnesse, knots and kernels in the flesh, and take away the scars of burning, being often rubbed therewith: the roote beaten with vinegar and applyed to those inflam∣mations, called Saint Anthonies fire, doth heale them, and applyed with honey or oyle, taketh away the sting of Serpents. It is said that if Ivory be boild with the roote hereof six houres together, it will so mollifye it, that it will take what forme or impression you will give it; the apples and especially the seeds in them, doe purge and coole the hot matrix, as Serapio Avicen, and Paulus Aegineta after Dioscorides have set downe, which perad∣venture Rachel knowing to be availeable for her hot and dry body, which was the cause of her barennesse, (and her beauty argueth a probability of such a constitution) desired the more earnestly the Mandrake apples that Ruben Lea•• sonne had brought his mother, as it is Genesis 30. v. 14. the strong sent of these apples is remembred also Cant. 7, 13, although some would divert the signification of the Hebrew word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, (which is the same in both places) unto Violets or some other sweete flowers, that Rachel, desired and the fruite of Musa or Adams apples to that in the Canticles: Hamilcar the Carthaginian Captaine is said to have obtained a famous victory, over the Libians by infecting their wines with the apples of Mandrake, whereby being made drowsie they left their wals unmand.

CHAP. VI. Solanum. Nightshade.

THere are diverse sorts of Nightshades, properly so to be called, and there be some other that are referred thereunto, for the likenesse of the leaves, flowers, or fruite, or for the properties in the operation. Of those that are referred unto the Nightshade, I have already spoken of diverse in my former booke, whereunto I referre them, that would be enformed of them, not meaning to repeate their descriptions, but denominations in this place, which are Mirabilia Pervana, the Mervaile of Peruor of the world. Pomum amoris fructu majore, Apples of love the greater sort. Stramonium sive Pomum spinosum majus flore simpli albo, & purpureo, & Datura Turcarum flore albo simplici & flore duplici purpureo, Thorne apples the greater, with a single white, or single purple flower, and the lesser with a single white flower, or a double purple flower. Solanum arborescens or fruticosum, called also Pseudocapsicum Dodonaei, or Amomum Plinij, Solanum Americanum, & Cerasa Indiana, Tree Nightshade, the Mumme tree, or Winter Cherry tree: & Solanum vesicarium or Alkekengi, Winter Cherries, Potatoes of Virginia called of many, apples of youth, and of Bauhinus in his Matthiolus Solanum tuberosum esculentum, and thought by Clusius, that it did in many things resemble the Pycnocomon of Dioscorides, moved chiefely thereunto from the likenesse of the figure thereof, which he saw in a written copy of Dioscorides, that had figures; as also that it might be Arachidna of Theophrastus; but setteth it downe in his History of Plantes, by the name of Papas Peruvianorum, and called by the Indians, or Spaniards Papas, as Gomara and others say: and although the common wild Night∣shade, is not dangerous, as divers others are, nor planted in Gardens with us as it was in former times, to be as a potherbe or salletherbe usually eaten, (but now adayes utterly refused,) and therefore called Garden Night∣shade, yet let me set it with the rest of the familye and not disjoine it from them.

1. Solanum vulgare. Common Nightshade.

The Common Nightshade, hath an upright round greene hollow stalke, about a foote, or halfe a yard high, bushing forth into many branches, whereon grow many darke greene leaves, somewhat broad and pointed at the ends, soft and full of juice, larger than the leaves of Bassill, else somewhat like, and a little unevenly dented about the edges, at the toppes of the stalkes and branches, come forth three or foure or more white flowers, made of five small pointed leaves a peece, standing on a stalke together, one by or above another, with yellow pointels in the middle, composed of foure or five yellow threds set together, which afterwards turne into so ma∣ny pendulous greene berries, of the bignesse of small pease, full of greene juice, and small whitish round flat seede, lying within it: the roote is white and a little wooddy, when it hath given flower and fruite, with many small fibres at it: the whole plant is of a waterish insipide taste, but the juice within the berryes, is some∣what viscous, like unto a thin mucilage, and is of a cooling and binding quality.

2. Solanum vulgare baccis rubris. Red berryed common Nightshade.

I call this common Nightshade, because it is in all things like the former common Nightshade, except that the leaves hereof are somewhat harder and rougher, and the berries when they are ripe, are either of a yellow, or of a yellowish red colour, the whole plant growing also little bigger then the other: this sort we have had out of Spaine, but endured not a winter with us, being more tender as comming out of a hotter Country, where it abideth many yeares, and it may be, that it is but a degeneration by reason of the climate, as it hapeneth in sweete Fenell seede and divers other things which change by transplantation.

3. Solanum Sommiferum. Sleepy Nightshade.

Sleepy Nightshade riseth up, with divers thicke round soft woolly stalkes, divided into other branches, where∣on grow many soft woolly, but greene broad round leaves, very like unto Quince leaves, two alwayes set at a joynt one against another, of somewhat a hot taste as Clusius saith: the flowers come forth at the joynts with

[illustration]

[illustration]

1. Solanum vulgare. Common Nightshade.

3. Solanum Somniferum. Sleepy Nightshade.

5. Solanum Somniferum alterum. Sleepy Nightshade of another sort.

6. Solanum Laethale. Dwale or deadly Nightshade.

the leaves, all along the stalkes and branches, three or foure together round about them, which are long and hollow, ending in foure somewhat long and pointed leaves, of a pale white colour, which being past, there rise up in their places small yellowish red berries, yet bigger then those of the former, set in woolly huskes: the roote is thicke long and hard, and of a brownish colour on the outside.

4. Solanum somniferum antiquorum verum. The true sleepy Nightshade of the ancient writers.

This Nightshade riseth up with three or foure or more thicke round straight whitish stalkes about a yard high or more, parted into some other branches, hard to

[illustration]

8. Solanum magnum Ʋirginianum rubrum. The great Virginia Red Nightshade.

breake, set with somewhat broad leaves very like unto Quince leaves with small footestalkes under them not alwayes two at a joynt, but many stan∣ding singly at the joints with the leaves; from the middle of the stalkes upwards, come forth diverse reddish flowers together, consisting of foure leaves a peece after which follow, small striped and poin∣ted greenish huskes; but red when they are ripe, very like unto the bladders of the Winter Cher∣ries, but much lesse, with a red berry within it, in like manner; the roote is somewhat great and wooddy, covered with a whitish barke, not very thicke, of a foule sent and insipide taste. Because that kinde of Solanum, which Matthiolus first, and Clusius after him, set forth for the true Somnife∣rum of the ancients, doth, not beare bladder like huskes or fruite, as Theophrastus saith, lib. 9. c. 12. it hath, it cannot be the right, but this onely which hath such.

5. Solanum Somniferum alterum. Sleepie Nightshade of another sort.

The other sleepy Nightshade, hath an upright crested or cornered stalke, with many leaves there∣on, being longer and narrower than the last, and more inclining downeward to the ground, full of veines running long wise and traverse therein: at the joynts of the stalke, from the middle part upward, come forth severall pendulous flowers, hanging by very long stalkes, being long and hol∣low like unto a Bell flower, of a purplish colour, each of them set in a large greene huske, dented or cut into five parts at the edges, but not very deepe; wherein after the flower is past, standeth a round berry, of a deepe blackish purple colour, enclosed therein to the middle, and having like a Crowne, at the head of the berry; which is full of a winelike juice, and many small white seeds within it: the roote is great and spreadeth many great branches with small fibres also, un∣der the ground.

6. Solanum laethale. Dwale or deadly Nightshade.

Deadly Nightshade groweth sometimes to the height of a man, but usually it riseth not up above three or foure foote high, having round green stalkes, set with divers large leaves, much greater than any of those before, smooth and of a darke greene colour, set upon very short footestalkes; among which at the joynts with the leaves come forth severall long hollow flowers, dented at the brims, of a faint deadish purple colour, standing in a greene huske; which after the flower is fallen containeth a great round berry, greene at the first but of a shining blacke colour, like shining or polished jet; when it is ripe, full of a purplish juice, and many whitish seeds lying therein: the roote is great, growing downe deepe into the ground, and spreading great branches therein, and besides creepeth under ground, rising up in severall places distant, quickely spreading over a ground: the plant hath no good sent, nor taste, but unsavory and bitter and very pernicious.

Of this kinde there is another sort, whose leaves are lesser, and of a darker greene colour, standing upon long∣er footestalkes, and the flowers are not so great and large as the other.

7. Solanum Indicum umbelliferum hirsutum. Hoary Indian Nightshade.

Clusius in his fourth booke of Exotickes, declareth that one D^r. Cole, or Coolmans, going with Dutch Mer∣chant Ships to Bantam, and other places, in the East Indies (but dying by the way in comming home) had ga∣thered some herbes, and put them up into a booke of papers, which being viewed by Clusius, hee found among many others, this dryed plant without leaves, which yet he referreth to the kinds of Nightshade; the slender stalkes, being about five inches long, and hoary white, bearing many shrivelled berryes, hanging downe out of five pointed huskes or cuppes, of a brownish red colour, of the bignesse of pepper cornes, standing in a tuft or umbell, wherein were white seedes, like to those of Nightshade, but not ripe.

8. Solanum magnum rubrum Virginianum. Red Nightshade or Red weed or Virginia.

This great Virginian plant, which from the likenes of the leaves we have called a Solanum, and referred thereun∣to, riseth up with a great thick round reddish stalke, of the thicknes of ones thumbe at the least, & 4. or 5. foote high or more, set without order with many very large fresh greene leaves full of veines, some greater and some smaller and sometimes turning reddish: from the joynts where the leaves stand from the middle of the stalke upwards, come forth severall smal stalkes bearing the flowers which are very small consisting of foure leaves a peece of a pale red or blush colour, divers standing together as it were in a small long cluster, which after bring forth small

blackish round seede, foure usually set in one huske: yet it seldome commeth to ripenesse in our country: the roote is white and groweth great with us, but perisheth if it be not defended from the frosts in winter, which usu∣ally rot it, but in the naturall places it groweth as big as a mans legge, (for such hath beene sent me, with many circles to be seene in the middle when it was cut like unto a Bryonye roote) and above a foote long.

8. Solanum Mexicanum parvo flore, sive Mirabilis Peruana minor. The small Mervaile of Peru.

This small Mervaile of the world, or of Peru, groweth in the same manner, that the greater kinde, shewed you in my former booke doth, but nothing so great or high, having such like leaves set on the stalkes, but much lesser and rounder: the flowers likewise being of a red colour for the most part, and made of one leafe, opening into five parts at the brimes, like the other, are so small, that the whole flower of this is scarce so bigge as the one part, or division of the greater flower, the seed that followeth, and the roote likewise are answerable in propor∣tion to the rest of the plant.

The Place.

The first groweth wild with us, under old walles, and in rubbish, the common paths and sides of hedges and fieldes as well as in other countryes, either hot or cold, as also both in their and our gardens, without any plan∣ting. The second groweth onely wild in the hotter countries of Spaine, Italy, &c. The third Clusius saith he found not farre from Malaga in Spaine, and Matthiolus saith in Italy also. The fourth Alpinus saith, groweth in Candye. The fifth as Matthiolus saith, groweth on the hill Salvatino in the County of Goritio in Italy, hard by Trent, and as some thinke in Syria, and the East Countries thereabouts. The sixth groweth wilde not onely in many, and divers woods of Germany, but in divers places of our owne Land, as in the Castle yard of Framing∣ham, in Suffolke, under Iesus Colledge wall in Cambridge, and in many places of that Country: also at Ilford in Essex, at Croydon among the Elmes, at the end of the Towne: in Moore Parke in the Parke of Sir Percivall Hart at L••lling stone in Kent, on the Conny burries, in Burling Parke likewise, as also in the way that leadeth from S. Ma∣ry Cray to Footes Cray over against the gate of a great field called Wenaell. The seventh is declared in the de∣scription. The eighth groweth in Virginia, New England &c. from whence the seed and Plants, were first brought to us. The last came as the greater sort did from the West-Indies.

The Time.

They doe all dye downe to the ground in winter, although some doe shoote a fresh in the spring, as the 3.4.5.7.8.9. doe, yet the third being more tender as comming out of a warmer Country, doth hardly endure, but perisheth utterly, by the extremities of our winters, especially if it be not housed or well defended, and even the two first that dye every yeare, and rise of their owne sowing, doe not spring out of the ground, untill it be late in the yeare, as not untill the latter end of Aprill at the soonest.

The Names.

It is called in Greeke of some 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but more usually 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 quod viteum, capreolum, vitem vel acinum, vel tale quiddam signet, ait Pena, in Solanorum classe, quibus cunctis proprium acinos plures vel panciores ha∣bere, nisi quis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Theophrasto suspicari malit, aut 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 mutatum. In Latine Solanum & Solatrum, Ʋna lupina & Ʋna vulpis. Pliny saith it was called also Strumum and Cucubalus, but they are thought to be ra∣ther bastard names, and not to be proper to this plant, the Arabians call it Hameb alhomaleb, Hameb alchaick, and Hameb althaleb, the Spaniards, Yerva Mora, and Morella, the Italians Solatro. The French Morelle. The Ger∣mans Nachtschad••, and the Dutch Nascaye, and Natchscade. In English Nightshade, Morrell, Petty Morrell, and in some places Honnds berries. Dioscorides reckoneth up foure sorts, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 hortense, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vesicarium, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 somniferum, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 furiosum or manicum. Theophrastus in his 7 booke and 14. chapter, maketh but three sorts, solanum edule, fructum veluti mitem, velacinosum ferens. Sunt alia duo quorum alterum somnium, alterum insani•• adfert. The first is generally called by all writers Solanum simply, or vulgare, or hortense, because it is most usuall, and generally every where to be had, and was planted in gardens as other herbes for foode, but now is no where used, but Physically: the second is called of Cordus in his History of Plants Solanum puniceum, and of Gesner in hortis Germaniae Solanum rubrum & luteum, and is remembred by others also. The third is generally taken to be the true Solanum somniferum of Dioscorides, for so Matthiolus, Gesner, Guilandinus, Lacuna, Clusius, Dodonaeus, Lobel, Caesalpinus, Castor Durantes, Camerarius, and Lugdunensis doe set it downe. Prosper Alpinus only contest∣eth against it, and sheweth that the fourth here set downe, which in his booke de plantis exoticis, he saith hath red bladders, and small red berryes in them, is the right sort, as Dioscorides, Theophrastus and Pliny doe describe their Solanum somniferum to be. The fifth Matthiolus calleth Solanum somniferum alterum, and so doe Camerarius; Gesner, and Lugdunensis, Dodonaeus calleth it Solani laethali aliud genus, The sixth is generally by the Italians cal∣led Bella Donna, either per Antiphrasin, because it is blacke, or as the Moores doe account them fairest, that have the finest blacke skinne, or as some have reported, because the Italians Dames, use the juice or distilled water thereof for a fucus, peradventure by the excessive cold quality, to take away their high colour, and make them looke paler. Matthiolus calleth it Solanum majus, and so doe Caesalpinus, and Camerarius: Tragus Solanum ••or∣tense nigrum: Fuchsius, Lobel, and Lugdunensis, Solanum somniferum, Dodonaeus, and Clusius Solanum laethale, and so doth Thalius; Gesner Solanum sylvaticum; Anguillara, Guillandinus, Dodonaeus. Fuchsius, Cordus and others, doe take it to be Mandragoras morion of Theophrastus, but not of Dioscorides, for they are so much differing one from another, as though they had lived in two severall worlds, to give names to herbes, the one not knowing of the other. The Germanes call it Schlaffbeere and Dolwurtz; it is called in English, Dwale, or deadly Nightshade. The seaventh Clusius maketh mention of, in the fourth booke of his Exotickes, by the name of Solani Indici ge••, and Bauhinus thereupon calleth it as I doe in the title, Solanum Indicum hirsutum corymbiferum. The eighth we have referred as I said before, to the kindes of Solanum, for the likenesse of the leaves, although much larger, and call it rubrum, both for the colour of the stalke, and from the colour that it giveth, for the Indians there∣with doe both colour their skinnes, and the barkes of trees wherewith they make their baskets, and such like things, as we are informed: the Indians themselves call it and our English people that live in Vir∣ginia, call it Red weede, but we according to the Latine name, red Nightshade of Virginia. The last Bauhinus setteth fort in his Prodomus and Pinax, under the title here expressed, not being mentioned by any other writer.

The Ʋertues.

The ordinary or common Nightshade is wholly used to coole all hot inflammations, either inwardly or outwardly, being no way dangerous to any that shall use it, as most of the rest are; yet it must be used moderate∣ly, for being cold and binding in the second degree, the distilled water onely of the whole herbe is fittest and sa∣fest to be taken inwardly: the juyce also clarified and mingled with a little vinegar, is good to wash the mouth and throate that is inflamed: but outwardly the juyce of the herbe or berries, with oyle of Roses, and a little vinegar and cerusse, laboured together in a leaden Morter, is very good to anoint all hot inflammations, Saint Anthonies fire, all other grieved places, that are molested with heate, as the head ache and frenzies, anointing the temples and forehead therewith, as also the heate and inflammation in the eyes: it doth also much good for the shingles, ringwormes, and in all running, fretting & corroding ulcers, and in weeping or moist Fistu∣laes, if the juice be made up with some hens dung, and applied thereunto: a pessary dipped in the juyce, and put up into the matrixe stayeth the immoderate fluxe of womens courses; a cloth wet therein and applied to the testicles or cods, upon any swelling therein giveth much ease: as also to the goute, that commeth of hot and sharpe hu∣mours; the juyce dropped into the eares, easeth those paines that arise of heat or inflammation; Pliny saith moreover, that it is good for hot swellings under the throate: the sleepie Nightshade of both sorts, are of one and the same qualitie, being cold in the third degree, and drie in the second, comming neere unto the propertie of Opium to procure sleepe, but somewhat weaker, if a dramme of the barke of the roote be taken in wine, but not to exceede that proportion for feare of danger: the seede drunke doth powerfully expell urine, and is also good for the dropsie; but the often taking thereof in too great a quantite, procureth frenzie; the remedy whereof is, to take good store of warme honied water: the roote boyled in wine, and a little thereof held in the mouth, easeth the paines of the tooth ache: Pliny saith it is, good to fasten loose teeth: the juyce of the roote mingled with hony, is good for the eyes that are weake of sight: It is more effectuall in all hot swellings and in∣flammations than the former, in regard it is colder in qualitie, the juyce of the herbe or rootes, or the distilled water of the whole plant being applied; the deadly Nightshade is held more dangerous than any of the other, for it is thought to be cold in the fourth degree: the juyce of the leaves, and a little vinegar mixed together, pro∣cureth rest and sleepe, (when upon great distemperature, either in long sicknesse, or in the tedious hot fits of agues, rest and sleepe is much hindered) if the temples and forehead be a little bathed therewith; as also taketh away the violent paine of the head, proceeding of a hot cause: the leaves bruised or their juyce may be applied to such hot inflammations, as Saint Anthonies fire, the shingles, and all other fiery or running cankers, to coole and stay the spreading: the danger is very great, and more in the use of this inwardly, than in any of the for∣mer, and therefore there had neede of the more heed and care, that children and others doe not eate of the ber∣ries hereof, least you see the lamentable effects it worketh upon the takers thereof as it hath done, both in our owne land, upon sundry children killed by eating the broth wherein the leaves were boiled, or the berries, and beyond the sea in the same manner: yet some doe hold that two ounces of the distilled water hereof is effectuall to be taken inwardly without any danger, against the heart burning, and other inflammations of the bowells, and against all other hot inflammations of the skinne or eyes, giving ease to the paines. It hath beene often proved, that one scruple of the dried roote hereof infused in a little wine sixe or seven hoares; and then strained hard through a cloth, that if this wine be put into a draught of other wine, whosoever shall drinke that wine, shall not be able to eate any meate for that meale, nor untill they drinke some vinegar, which will presently dispell that qualitie, and cause them fall to their vlands, with as good a stomacke, as they had before: this is a good jest, for a bold unwelcome guest. The Ʋirginia Nightshade is a familiar purger with them in Ʋirginia, New England, &c. where they take a spoonefull or two of the juyce of the roote which worketh strongly; but we having tried to give the dried roote in powder have not found that effect.

CHAP. VII.

1. Solanum lignosum sive Dulcamara. Wood Nightshade or Bitter sweete.

ALthough this plant hath no dangerous quality therein, nor yet is properly any Nightshade, more than the outward conformitie in some sort, yet because many learned Authours have reckoned it as a sort thereof, and called it by that name, let me also place it with them, and shew it you in this place, thus: it groweth up with many slender winding brittle wooddy stalkes, five or sixe foote high, with∣out any claspers, but foulding it selfe about hedges, or any other thing that standeth next unto it, covered with a whitish rough barke, and having a pith in the middle, shooting out many branches on all sides, which are greene while they are young; whereon grow many leaves without order, somewhat like unto the leaves of Nightshade, but that they are somewhat broad, long, and pointed at the ends, with two small leaves, or rather peeces of leaves, at the bottome of most of them, somewhat like the Sage with eares, and many of them likewise, but with one peece on the one side, sometimes also those peeces are close unto the leaves, ma∣king them seeme as it were jagged, or cut in on the edges into so many parts, and sometimes separate there from, making the leaves seeme winged or made of many leaves, and are of a pale greene colour: at the toppes and sides of the branches come forth many flowers, standing in fashion of along umbell, upon short foote stalkes, one above another, which consist of five narrow, and long violet purple coloured leaves, not spread like a starre, or very seldome, but turning themselves backwards to the stalkes againe whereon they stand, with a long gold yellow pointell in the middle sticking forth, which afterwards turne into round and somewhat long berries greene at the first, and very red, soft and full of juyce when they are ripe, of an unpleasant bitter taste, although sweete at the first; wherein are contained many flat white seedes: the roote spreadeth it selfe into many strings under ground, and not growing into any great body: the barke also of the branches, being chewed, tasteth bitter at the first, but sweeter afterwards.

2. Dulcamara flore albo. Wood Nightshade with white flowers.

Of this kinde there is another that differeth not from the former, more than in the flowers, whose outer,

leaves are white, and the pointell yellow.

[illustration]

Dulcamara se•• Solanum lignosum. Wood Night shade.

The Place.

This groweth usually by ditches sides, and hedges, where they may climbe up upon them, the first almost every where: the second is very rare and seldome to be met with, yet it groweth by Saint Margates Church in Rumney Marsh, and neere unto Bermonsie house on South∣warke side, when Gerard wrote thereof, but now is not there to be found.

The Time.

The branches abide dispoiled of leaves all the Winter, yet perish not, but shooteth forth new leaves in the Spring, and flowreth about Iuly, the berries are ripe in August.

The names.

This hath not beene remembred, by any of the ancient Greeke Authours, although some of the moderne Wri∣riters, have imposed Greeke names upon it, calling it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Strychnodendron, which is Solanum arbores∣cens; and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Glycypicron, that is, Dulcamara or Amaradulcis; diverse doe thinke it to be Melothron of Theophrastus. Matthiolus tooke it to be Ʋitis sylve∣stris of Dioscorides, lib. 4. cap. 183. Others in referring it to the Nightshades, call it Solanum lignosum or fruti∣cosum or rubrum. It is called of the Germans Ielenger ie lieber and Hynschkraut, because the shepheards use it for their cattell, when they are troubled with that disease they call Hynsch, of the Dutchmen Alfrank; of the French Morelle du bois; and we in English Bitter sweete, wood Nightshade, and Fellonworte of some. Tragus would referre it to the Hedera Cilicia, or Smilax of Theophrastus in his third Booke and last Chapter; or unto the Smilax lae∣vis of Dioscorides, set forth in his fourth Book and 140. Chapter; Dodonaeus thinketh, that that kinde that beareth white flowers, may be Cyclaminus altera of Dioscorides. Guillandinus tooke it to be Salicastrum of Pliny, lib. 22. cap. 1. but all erroniously: the learned of Mompelior as Pena and Camerarius say called it Circaea; whereunto it as little agreeth, as the Circaea set forth in the next Chapter, as you shall there understand. Bauhinus calleth it Sa∣lanum scandens, seu Dulcamara.

The Ʋertues.

Both leaves and fruit are hot and drie, astringent and clensing. Tragus sheweth the manner of making a medicine for the yellow Iaundise, (and for the dropsie saith Dodonaeus) although it be inveterate, by driving it forth gently, both by urine and the stoole, in this wise: Take saith he, a pound of the wood of wool Nightshade, cut it small, and put it into a new earthen pot, whose cover hath an hole in the toppe, with three pints of white wine, close the joynts of the pot with paste, and set it on the fire to boyle gently, untill a third part be consumed; which afterwards being strained forth, take a draft thereof morning and evening: The juyce of the leaves and berries is thought to be good for them that have beene bruised by blowes or falls, to dissolve and avoid the congealed bloud, and heale the part affected afterwards: it is held also effectuall to open the ob∣structions of the liver and spleene, but so often as I have given it by appointment I have knowne it to purge very churlishly. Some also use the drinke before prescribed against putride feavers or agues. The countrie shepheards of Germany as Tragus reporteth, doth use to hang it about their cattells neckes, when they are troubled with the disease they call Die Hynsch, which is a swimming in the head, causing them to turne round: diverse countrie people doe use the berries bruised and laid to the finger that hath a Felon thereon to cure it.

CHAP. VIII. 1, Circaea Lutetiana major. The greater Inchanters Nightshade.

THE likenesse also of this plant in some part thereof, hath caused it to be referred unto the Night∣shades by diverse, and so must I untill a fitter place may be knowne, the description whereof is that. It riseth up with diverse small round pointed stalkes, most usually standing upright, yet sometimes leaning downe to the ground, and taking roote at the jointes, about a foote or more high, especially if it grow in a moist shadowie place, with two leaves set at every joynt, each of them set upon a pret∣tie long foote stalke, which are broad and round almost at the bottome, and very long pointed at the end, some∣what dented about the edges: some compare them unto the leaves of Nightshade; others unto those of Pellitory of the wall, being of a shining greene colour on the upperside, and tender, soft, or gentle in the handling, although it be a little hairy, and of a darke grayish colour underneath: from the middle of the stalke almost upwards, doe the flowers grow Spike fashion, many set together one above another, which shew to be of a darke brownish colour, while they abide buddes unblowne open, but being blowne are small white five leafed starre flowers, dasht over especially at the brimmes or edges, with a light shew of blush, with many brownish yellow threds in the middle, where after they are past, came small rough round heads, like unto small burres, sticking unto garments in the like manner, wherein are included small shining blacke round seede, somewhat like unto the

seed, of Pellitorye of the wall, but lesser: the roote is small, very white, and full of joynts, from whence it shooteth forth and creepeth every way under ground, quickly spreading a great compasse: the taste hereof is somewhat sweetish and waterish withall.

2. Circaea lutetiana minor. Small Inchanters Nightshade.

This small Nightshade is in all things like the former, but that it groweth much smaller in every part, although it grow in the same places with it.

The Place.

[illustration]

1. Circaea lutetiana major. The greater Inchanters Nightshade.

They grow in moist and shadowye places, and some∣times at the rootes of old rotten trees in woods, and sometimes by the hedgesides or borders of fields.

The Time.

They spring up in Aprill, are in flower in Iune, give their seede in August, and perish downe to the ground afterwards, the rootes abiding safe in the ground.

The Names.

Thse were not knowne to any of the ancient writers, that we can finde, but are usually in these dayes, called by all Herbarists Circaea, because in the outward forme, it is like the Circaea of Dioscorides: Lobel and Pena, call the greater Circaea Lutetiana, not knowing the lesser, we adde major for a distinction between them, the former is called also Circaea Monspeliensium. Tragus calleth it Lappa sylvestris, because the small heads of seed, are rough like small burres, for he judgeth the Amaranthus minor purpureus to be the Circaea of Dioscorides and Pli∣ny. Iohannes Thalius in Harcynia sylva (which is joyned with Camerarius his hortus Medicus) calleth them Helxine sylvestris, sive fluviatilis major & minor, and saith that they are like in leaves, unto the Helxine, that is called Parietaria. Gesner in hortis Germaniae, calleth it Ocima∣strum verrucarium (not being before knowne by any name) because the leaves as he saith, are like Bassill, and the rough heades, like unto rugged warts; Tabermonta∣nus calleth it herba Di. Stephani: Bauhinus calleth the greater Solanifolia Circaea dicta major, as hee doth the lesser Solanifolia Circaea Alpina, which Fabius Columna calleth Circaea minima. Many also have taken the Man∣drake of Theophrastus to be Circaea of the ancients, because he saith, it was so called by some in his dayes: and some the Mandragoras of Theophrastus, to be this Circaea, and have attributed the vertues thereof unto it: but assuredly none of these herbes, nor that in the former Chapter, is answerable unto the description of Dioscorides his Cir∣caea, for although he saith, the leaves of Circaea are like Nightshade, yet the flowers are many and blacke, and the seede like unto Millet, growing in small hornes: the roote also he saith is almost a foote long, three or foure together, being white, sweete in smell, and of an heating or warming property: so that as I said, none of these answer unto this description in all things, for the seede of none of them is contained in hornes or crooked cods, although Tragus saith the Amaranthus is; yet the rootes are not sweete nor heating, nor of any use, when as the chiefest property of Dioscorides his Circaea, consist∣ed in the roote applyed for many purposes. It is called in English of Gerard, Inchanters Nightshade, derived from Circes the great Enchantresse, mentioned by the ancient writers, but why he should call it also Bindweede Night∣shade, (and his corrector letteth it so passe) I see no cause; for that name doth better agree, unto the wood Night∣shade, set forth in the former Chapter, because it doth climbe like a Bindweed.

The Ʋertues.

There hath not beene any of the moderne writers, either Tragus, Gesner, Thalius, Lobel and Pena, or Taber∣montanus, that have set downe any property, wherewith any inward or outward diseases may be helped there∣by, but have overpassed them, as though none of all the Country people where they grow, made any use there∣of: but assuredly by the temperate qualityes, of cold and moisture therein, they may not unfitly, nor perad∣venture without good effect be applyed in hot griefes, as the Nightshade is, although it be moist and not astringent as it is: I doe not here set downe any of the vertues of Dioscorides his Circaea, because this is not it, nei∣ther doe we know what it is.

CHAP. IX. Solana Pomifera. Applebearing Nightshades.

VNto the kindes of Nightshade I must, as divers other good authors doe, joyne some other plantes, which for their qualities, either more or lesse dangerous, or for their outward forme and propor∣tion, doe somewhat agree with the former set done.

1. Solanum pomiferum herbariorum Lobelij. Lobels red berried Nightshade.

It groweth like common Nightshade but greater, the leaves are like small Tobacco leaves, the flowers are white, like the ordinary sort, the berryes are small and round, of an orient reddish colour, with white seedes within them of an insipide taste, almost without any heate or sharpenesse, and perisheth every yeare as Nightshade doth, this differeth from Mala Aethiopica, although Bauhinus make them to be one, for this hath no prickes, or thornes, on stalkes, or leaves, nor is the fruite hard or crested.

Solanum fruticosum Americanum dictum Amomum Plinij. The Winter Cherry Tree.

This is described in my former Booke.

2. Mala Insana Syriaca. Madde Apples of Syria.

This raging or madde Apple, riseth up with a great hard round purplish or brownish greene stalke, two foote high, divided from the bottome into divers branches, whereon are set many hairy broad rough leaves some∣what unevenly cut in on the edges, and somewhat like the Thorne apple leaves; at the joynts with the leaves, come forth severall large flowers, consisting of six large pointed leaves, in some plants white, in others of a pale, but deadish purple colour, with yellow threds in the middle; which being past there succeedeth large, some∣what long and round fruite, in the warme countries, as bigge as a Cowcumber, but in others, seldome bigger then a large great egge set in the same cup or huske, that contained the flower before, whose colour on the outside, is usually according to the flower it bore, either of a whitish greene, more yellowish, or of a grayish ash colour, or of a pale or wanne purplish colour, with a very thinne skinne or barke, and full of a whitish pulpe, and juice within, having many small flat whitish seedes within it, somewhat greater then those of the Apples of love, the roote is composed of many strings, some great, others small, not thrusting downe deepe into the ground, nor abiding but perishing with the first frosts.

3. Mala Ethiopica. Madde Apples of Ethiopia.

The Madde apples of Ethiopia, are somewhat like the former, but that it groweth not so high, nor spreadeth so much, but having one upright stalke, about halfe a yeard high, set here and there, with divers small prickes, not very hard or long, and at severall joynts with jagged leaves, both lesser, and lesse cut in on the edges, then the former, especially the lowermost, having some prickes also in the middle rib, on the backeside, but those leaves that grow higher, toward the toppes of the stalkes and branches, are much lesser, divided on the edges; the flowers stand dispersed on the branches at the joynts, consisting of sixe white white short leaves, with a yel∣low pointell in the middle, of divers threds joyned toge∣ther,

[illustration]

1. Solanum pomiferum herbariorum Lobelij. Lobels red berried Nightshade.

after which commeth the fruite which is round and a little pointed at the end, smaller and harder then the grea∣ter kinde of Love apples, and straked, and furrowed with∣all in divers places, of an excellent red colour, and turning more deepe when it is ripe, having sometimes small bun∣ches on them, like unto other small apples, growing unto them; and containing a juicye pulpe within it, somewhat more sharpe then the former, but nothing so moist as the love apples, with such like flat yellowish white seede with∣in it: the roote is a tuft of threds, perishing likewise eve∣ry yeare, and seldome in these colder countryes commeth to maturity, to shew his beautifull colour or give good seede.

4. Mala Insana Europaea. Madde apples of Europe.

This kinde of madde Apples, groweth with an upright round stalke, to the bignesse of ones finger, a foote and a halfe high, from whence spring forth at severall joynts, sometimes on the one side, and sometimes on the other, di∣vers long and somewhat broad greene leaves, unevenly cut in on the edges; and ending in a long point, three for the most part comming together, each of them upon a short footestalke: at the tops of the stalke grow the fruite, which are round reddish berryes or apples of the bignesse of a Plum, full of seede within them.

5. Poma amoris majora media & minora. Apples of Love, of a greater, lesser, and middle size.

These sorts of Love Apples, doe in all things so neerely resemble one another, both in the long trayling branches, the winged and divided leaves, the yellow flowers, and the red berries or fruite, as I have shewed in my former booke, that I can adde no more thereunto.

The Place.

The first was brought out of Spaine, the second groweth plentifully wild in Egypt, as divers doe report, as also in

[illustration]

[illustration]

Sol•• fruticosum America um dictum Amo••tum Plinij. The Winter Cherry tree.

2 Mala insana Syriaca. Madde apples of Syria.

3 Mala Ethiopica. Madde Apples of Ethiopia.

5. Pomum amoris majus, The greater love Apples.

Syria, and these Easterne countryes: the third is thought to come out of Aethiopia, and the backe parts of Bar∣barye: the fourth Lugdunensis saith, groweth in shadowie places, upon the Apennine Mountaines: the last like∣wise groweth in those Easterly Countryes of Egypt, Syria, Arabia, &c.

The Time.

The three first doe flower late in the yeare, that is, not untill August, so that their fruite, hardly commeth to be any thing ripe with us, but the sorts of the last, doe usually ripen well, if the Sommer be not too cold.

The Names.

The first is called by Lobel, Solanum pomiferum herbariorum, but is not Mala Aethiopica of Dodonaeus and o∣thers as Bauhinus setteth it downe. The second is called in Latine Mala Insana of most writers, that is Madde Apples in English, (but many doe much marveile, why they should be so called, seeing none have beene knowne, to receive any harme by the eating of them:) in Italian Melanzana and Melongena, and of the Florentines, as Matthiolus saith Petranciani, of the Spaniards Ʋerengenas, of the French Pommes d'amour, but why they should so call it, Ruellius doth not know as he saith, when as there is another more fitly to be called by that name; of the Germanes Melantzan and Dollopffell: divers doe take this to be Strychnon of Dioscorides, and vrbanum of Theo∣phrastus, as also the third kinde of Pliny, whereupon Caesalpinus as I thinke, calleth it Solanum hortense, and Pyra insana, of Bauhinus Solamum pomiferum fructu oblongo. Hermolaus is thought by Fuschius, and Brasavolus, to take this to be the Mandragoras Morion of Dioscorides, but Matthiolus defendeth him, and reprooveth them, for lay∣ing that imputation upon him, which he did not avouch. The third is called by Dodonaeus, and others, Mala Aethiopica: Lugdunensis calleth it Capsicum rotundum Dalechampij, but very erroniously, for this hath no such fiery heating quality therein as the Capsica Ginney Peppers have; of Bauhinus, Solanum pomiferum fructu rotun∣do striato duro: The fourth is called by Lugdunensis, Hyosciamus peregrinus Dalechampij, and of Bauhinus Sola∣num peregrinum fructu rotundo, I have called it Mala Insana Europaea, because that growing naturally in these parts, it is so like unto the last, which is a kinde of Mala Insana: the last is called, Pomum amoris, and Pom•• or Malum aureum, which Anguillara tooke to be Lycopersicum, or Lycopersion as some have it of Galen and others, and to be Glaucium of Dioscorides, which it cannot be, for that hath a yellow juice and bitter, which this hath not; Guilandinus saith it is called Tumatle by the Americans, and some others also would referre it to Solanum furiosum, whereunto it hath no quality correspondent, Bauhinus calleth it Solanum Pomiferum fructo rotundo striato molli.

The Ʋertues.

Madde apples are eaten being first boyled in fat broth, with vinegar or salt, oyle and pepper, as a continuall juncket with the Genveses and others, as Scaliger saith, and neither breed frensyes nor any other harme, and therefore he saith, minus sano judicio insana dicuntur. Yet Avicen lib. 2. cap. 455. condemneth them, saying that those that are old are very noisome and hurtfull, although the fresh ones be better: for by their bitternesse and acrimony it is gathered, that they are hot and dry in the second degree, and that therefore they engender Me∣lancholly, the Leprosie, Cancers, the Piles. Impostumes, the Headache, and a stincking breath, breed obstructi∣ons in the Liver and Spleene, and change the complecion into a foule blacke and yellow colour, unlesse they be boyled in Vinegar; so that it is to be admired, that Averrhoes should commend them, being drest in some fashion. Fuschius saith that there is a superaboundant coldnesse, and moisture, in the Madde apples, as there is in Cowcumbers and Mushroomes: yet the beauty of the fruite worketh in some, and the insatiable desire of de∣light to the palate in others, and the inciting to Venery in the most, (which these are thought to procure) doe so farre transport a great many, that in Italy and other hot countries, where they come to their full maturity, and proper rellish, they doe eate them with more desire and pleasure then we doe Cowcumbers, or the like, and therefore prepare and dresse them in divers manners; as some doe eate them raw, as Cowcumbers, some doe roast them under the Embers, and others doe first boyle them, pare them and slice them: and having strowed flower over them, doe frye them with oyle or butter, and with a little pepper and salt, serve them to the table. Some also doe keepe them in pickle, to serve for to spend in the Winter and Spring: but it is certainely found true, that they doe hardly digest in the stomacke, whereby they breed much windinesse, and thereby peradven∣ture bodily lust; that they engender bad blood and Melancholicke humours, and give little nourishment at all unto the body, and that not good: the Apples of Ethiopia, are of the same quality, although of a firmer substance, not yeelding any good nourishment, but rather offensive to the body, for these two are congeneres in forme, and there∣fore most likely in quality. The golden apples or apples of love, are cold and moist, more then any of the for∣mer, and therefore lesse offensive, these are eaten with great delight and pleasure in the hotter Countries, but not in ours, because their moisture is flashy and insipide, for want of the sufficient heate of the Sunne in their ripening.

CHAP. X. Solana pomifera spinosa. Thornye applebearing Nightshades.

THere are one or two more to be spoken of, to finish this family of the Nightshades, one whose fruite is neerest in likenesse unto these Madde apples, the other to the Nightshades, after which the Thorne apples should next follow, as being by all authors referred unto the Nightshades, but because I have already set forth all their descriptions, I shall not neede to repeate them againe.

1. Solanum spinosum fructu rotundo, sive Pomum Hiericonticum Imperato. Thorny Nightshade of Hiericho with round apples.

The leaves hereof are very like unto those of the former madde apples of Europe, but whiter and softer, having many small thornes on the middle ribbe of every leafe on the under side: on the stalke likewise and branches are sparsedly set divers thornes, and purplish flowers at the toppes of them being smaller then the former, after which come smaller apples also, greene before they be ripe, changing yellow and brownish afterwards, being round and somewhat sweete in smell, but as unsavoury, or without taste as the former.

Datura sive Fomum spinosum majus flore albo & purpureo. Datura sive Stramonium minus flore albo simplici & florae purpureo simplici & duplici.

These are described in my former Booke, and the figures of the lesser sorts here exhibited.

2. Solanum poniferum Indicum folio rotundo. Indian Applebearing Nightshade with round leaves.

This plant being onely mentioned by Monardus, in his

[illustration]

Stramonicum minus sive perogrinum simplex & duplex. Single and double small Thorny Apples.

history of those simple medicines, that come from the West Indies, is referred by Bauhinus unto his Classis of Thorne Apples in his Pinax, but should more properly in my judge∣ment, be placed with the fruits, in the last Chapter going before, called Madde Apples, but that it hath farre more excellent properties. The plant groweth in manner of a shrubbe or hedge bush as he saith, of an excellent greene∣nesse, having leaves that are small, thinne and round, bea∣ring long fruit, round at the lower end, and flat toward the stalke, like unto the Malum insanum or Madde Apple, of a grayish or ash colour on the out side, and of a plea∣sant and gratefull taste, without any acrimony therein, ha∣ving many very small seedes within it.

The Place.

The first groweth in Syria and Palaestina, and other the countries neare there unto; the other groweth in the Mountaines of Peru onely, a Province in the West Indies, and the seede sent unto Monardus into Spaine, who sowed the seede, to make triall of the effects, were declared to be in it.

The Time.

It is not mentioned at what time either of them flow∣reth or beareth ripe fruite, but it is probable they varie not much from me season, of the other Thorne and Madde Apples, unto which they are so like in forme.

The Names.

The first Bauhinus calleth Solanum spinosum fructu ro∣tundo, which Ferrantes Imperatus of Naples, calleth Po∣mum Hiericonticum: the other Monardus saith came to him under the name of Cachos, as the Indians it is likely doe call it.

The Vertues.

There hath not any Phisicall use beene remembred of the first; whereunto it serveth; but Monardus saith of the other, that was sent him out of the Indies, that it is of great estimation there, both with the Spaniards and Indians themselves, in that it provoketh urine, expelleth gra∣vell and the stone in the kidnies and bladder, for which it is most commended; it breaketh the stone in the blad∣der, if it be not too hard and inveterate, or may by any medecines be dissolved, whereof there were many proofes (as Monardus saith) declared to his great wonderment: for as he saith, he did not thinke that the stone in the bladder could be dissolved, and expelled by any medicines, and that the cure thereof consisted onely, in the cutting of it out by a cunning hand: but it was said of this, that the seede taken in any fit and convenient water, for that purpose, will by little and little dissolve the stone into small gravell, which after it is expelled forth, will againe be gathered and grow into a hard stone.

CHAP. XI. Capsicum. Ginny Pepper.

THe Ginny Pepper in mine opinion is fittest to follow next after the family of the Nightshades, be∣ing in outward forme likest thereunto, as also being no lesse dangerous, although in a quite con∣trary nature. for this is as farre exceeding in heate, as the other in cold: hereof there are found out, or at least brought to knowledge many sorts in these dayes, which were not knowne in for∣mer times, or neglected and not so heedefully regarded at least, as they have beene of later time, especially by Gregorius de Reggio, a Capuchine Fryer, who hath observed a dozen severall varie∣ties at the least in the fruite or cods, although very little differing in any thing else. All which I thinke it not amisse to shew you in this Chapter, with some others also not observed by him, but by Clusius and others.

1. Capsicum majus vulgatius oblongis filiquis. The most ordinary Ginny Pepper with long huskes.

I propound this Ginny Pepper as a patterne, by which yee may frame the descriptions of all the rest; the chie∣fest difference consisting in the forme of the fruite whether you will call them huskes or cods, as shall bee shewed every one in their order. The plant it selfe riseth up with an upright firme round stalke, with a certaine pith within them, about two foote high in our Country, and not above three foote in the hotter, spreading into many branches; on all sides, even from the very bottome, which divide themselves againe into other smaller branches; at each joynt whereof come forth two long leaves upon short footestalkes, somewhat bigger then those of Nightshade, else very like, with divers veines in them, not dented about the edges at all, and of a very sad greene colour: the flowers stand severally at the joynts with the leaves, very like unto the flowers of Nightshade, consisting of five most usually, yet sometimes of six white small pointed leaves, standing

open like a starre, with a few yellow threds in the middle; after which come the fruite (either great or small, either long or short, either round or square, as the kinde is, either standing upright or hanging downe, as their flowers shew themselves, either of this or that forme, as shall be shewed hereafter,) in this somewhat great and long, about three inches in length, thicke and round at the stalke, and smaller toward the end, which is not sharpe but round pointed, greene at the first, but being full ripe, of a very deepe, crimson, shining red colour on the outside, which is like a thicke skinne, and white on the inside, smelling reasonable well, and sweete, having many flat yellowish white seedes therein, cleaving to certaine thinne skinnes within it, which are broader at the upper end, and smaller at the lower, leaving the end or point empty within not reaching so farre, the whole huske but especially the seede, being of so hot and fiery a taste, that it enflameth and burneth the mouth and throate, for a long time after it is chewed, almost ready to choake one, that carelesly taketh much at a time thereof: the roote is composed of a great tuft, or bush of threds, spreading plentifully in the ground, and perish∣eth even in the hot Countryes, after it hath ripened all his fruite, and with us, upon the first sharpe frost it feeleth.

2. Capficum minus Brasilianum. Small round Ginny Pepper.

This Ginny Pepper groweth in the same manner that the former doth, not differing therefrom in any thing, but in the leaves, which being of the same forme, are not so great and large, and in the fruite which is small and round (standing some forthright, and some upright, but none pendulous or hanging downe, each of them up∣on a long footestalke) about the bignesse of a Barbery, but round and nothing so red, but of a darke or blackish yellow colour, enclining to red, and in another sort almost blacke, having such like seede within them, but somewhat smaller, no lesse hot and fiery then the former, and abideth the winter colds, no otherwise then the former, and indeede seldome beareth ripe fruite in our Country. Those which we have had from the Berm••da where they are naturall, are of a yellowish red.

3. Capsicum rotundum majus surrectum. The greater round upright Ginny Pepper.

The chiefest difference in this sort of Ginny Pepper, consisteth most in the forme of the fruite, which stan∣deth upright, as the flowers doe, being great and round like an apple, even the greatest of all the sorts that beare round fruite, of an exellent red colour when it is ripe, like unto a pollished Corrall.

4. Capsicum erectum pyramidale majus. The great upright spire fashioned Ginny Pepper.

This is much alike or very little differing from the first, the difference of the fruite is that this standeth upright, great below, and smaller, and smaller to the point, which is sharper then in the first, else it might seeme the same being inverted, that is, either that turned upward, or this turned downewards, of as brave an orient Corall like colour as the last.

[illustration]

Capsicum Longum.

1. Capsicum majus vulgatius oblongis siliquis, & alia 〈◊〉〈◊〉 genera nempe quartum & quintum. The most ordinary Ginney Pepper with great long huskes, and the fourth and fifth.

[illustration]

2. Capsicum minus Brasilianum & 7. alia genera. Small round Ginny Pepper, and 7. other sorts.

Copsici species quatuor nempe. 15.16.17. & 18.

5. Capsicum erectum pyramidale minus. The lesser upright spyrefashioned Ginny Pepper.

As the fruite of this sort is lesser, by the halfe than the last, and not so sharpe or small at the end, but somewhat round, so the greene leaves also are smaller and narrower, and the stalke smaller and not growing so high: the flowers of this, as of all the rest, that beare their fruit upright, doe stand upright also, which is a certaine rule to know what fruit will be pendulous and what will be upright. The figures of both these last sorts are set on the sides of the former table.

6. Capsicum exiguum erectum pyramidale. The least Spyrefashioned Ginny Pepper.

The forme of this small Spyrefashioned Ginny Pepper, commeth so neare unto the second sort, that many may soone be deceived, in thinking them both one, that doe not heede them more precisely; for although they both agree in growing upright, and being small, yet those (of the second sort I meane) are short and round like unto a wild Olive, and these are smaller and longer, of an inch long at the least, and of a blackish red before they be thorough ripe, but then are as red as the rest: this groweth taller, fuller of branches, and more stored both with flowers and fruite, which make the goodlier prospect: the leaves also are no smaller, than in any other sort going before, and of the same darke greene colour with the rest.

7. Capsicum Cordatum erectum majus. The greater upright heart fashioned Ginny Pepper.

This sort of Ginny Pepper groweth to be but of a meane height, that is, not so high as most of the former, ha∣ving large leaves, but not so small at the ends: the fruit is not pendulous or hanging downewards, with his foote stalke, but standing upright, being somewhat great flattish, and as it were bunched out at the upper end next unto the stalke, and smaller below, short and round pointed, somewhat resembling the forme of a mans heart, as it is intituled.

8. Capsicum Cordatum erectum minus. The lesser upright heart fashioned Ginny Pepper.

This differeth not from the last, but in the smallnesse of the fruit, standing also upright, and being smaller by a third part, or neare an halfe, and shorter also: the figure of this is omitted, because it is the same with the next, but that this is upright and the other pendulous.

9. Capsicum Cordatum propendens. Pendulous heartfashioned Ginny Pepper.

The fashion of this sort of Pepper, is somewhat like the greater upright heartfashioned Pepper, being neare of the same bignesse, but a little more uneven and not so round, but is as red being ripe,* 1.10 and is pendulous hanging downewards not standing upright as the other. There is another of this sort of pendulous Peppers differing in nothing from the greater but in being smaller.

10. Capsicum siliqua Olivaria propendens. Pendulous Olivefashioned Ginny Pepper.

This Pepper hath small long and round cods, smaller below than above, being very like unto an Olive berry, as red being ripe as any of the rest, and with the stalke hanging downeward.

11. Capsicum siliqua Olivaria erecta. Vpright Olivefashioned Ginny Pepper.

This differeth from the last but in being greater than it, and standing upright and not in any thing else. The figure of this is not set in any of the tables; but this figure with eleven is next under the number twelve.

12. Capsicum siliqua rotunda Cerasorum. Cherry fashioned Ginny Pepper.

There are two sorts of this Pepper, one which is fully round, like unto an English or Flanders Cherry, the o∣ther that hath a little point at the end thereof, this being a little bigger then the other, and both of them hanging downe.

13. Capsicum siliqua lata & rugosa. Broad and Crumpled Ginny Pepper.

The cods of this Pepper are somewhat large, greater above and smaller below, somewhat flat also and not round, but crumpled as it were or shrunke halfe together, and smelleth pretty sweete.

14. Capsicum erectum majus longum. Long and upright Ginny Pepper.

This Pepper is long and round, yet not like that, that carryeth the forme of an Olive berry, but much longer, and of an equall bignesse all the length thereof, and standeth upright.

15. Capsicum oblongum majus recurvis siliquis. The greater crooked or horned Ginny Pepper.

The greater horned Ginny Pepper, hath great large cods, about five inches long, sometimes little or nothing crooked at the lower end, which is long and small, sometimes a little crooked or bended upwards, and some∣times very much.

16. Capsicum oblongum minus recurvis siliquis. The lesser horned Ginny Pepper.

This differeth from the last, in not being halfe so thicke or long, and keeping his end bowed or crooked con∣stantly, not varying as it doth: both this and the last hang downe their cods toward the ground: the whole plant also groweth lesse then the other.

17. Capsicum bifurcata siliqua. Double pointed Ginny Pepper.

This Pepper is very like the long upright Pepper, and much about the same forme and bignesse, being of an e∣quall size almost, all the length thereof, but differeth from it in this, the lower end is parted as it were, into two short round points, and is also a little smaller there then upwards, neither in colour nor any thing else differing from the rest.

18. Capsicum siliqua flava breviore. The shorter gold yellow Ginny Pepper.

It might be thought by divers, that onely see the cods of this Pepper, that it differeth from all the rest, in the manner of growing, as well as in the colour of the fruite, but it is not so; for it hath like leaves, stalkes and flowers in every part, and onely differeth in that it beareth cods, very like unto the first sort here set downe, which is the most common, but that they are shorter, and ending in a smaller or sharper point, and of a faire gold yellow colour, not red as all the other before are.

19. Capsicum siliqua flava longiore. The longer gold yellow Ginny Pepper.

This gold yellow Pepper differeth in nothing from the last, but in the cods, which are not so thicke as they, but a little smaller, from the middle thereof being longer, or lessening very finely unto the pointed end, of as faire a gold yellow colour as the other.

20. Capsicum caule piloso. Ginny Pepper with hairy stalkes.

This Ginny Pepper groweth with round greene stalkes; set full of white haires thereon, contrary to all the former sorts: at the joynts with the branches come forth two such leaves, as the first sort here set forth hath, but larger then they; the flowers are white, consisting of five leaves like the rest, but larger also then any of them; after which come the cods, greene at the first, as all the other are, but as red as the rest, when they are ripe, which are somewhat great and long, ending in a very long point, in the rest, as in the seede and rootes, not differing from the former sorts.

The Place.

All these sorts of Pepper, came first from the West Indies, called America, and the severall parts thereof, Brassile being reckoned as a parcell thereof, and our Sommer Ilands also, although we in English from others false relati∣on, give it the name of Ginny Pepper, as though it originally came from thence: they are nursed op in gar∣dens, in all the Provinces of Europe, and groweth in many places of Italy, Spaine, &c. Set in pots about the windowes of their houses, either for the pleasure of the beautifull greene leaves and fruite or cods, when they are ripe, or for the use it serveth, or both. Clusius saith it is not onely planted in Spaine, and Portugall in divers places, but in Moravia also as he saith, for the profits sake they make of the fruite, which serveth them in those parts, in the stead of the East-Indian Pepper.

The Time.

They use not to sow them untill the end of March, or beginning of Aprill, no not in the warme Countries: they flower usually not before the beginning of August, at the soonest; and their brave red cods ripen not tho∣rowly, untill the beginning of Winter, and so will abide both with flowers and fruite, most of the Winter with them; but if they take any frosts with us, they presently perish, and therefore must be housed if any will pre∣serve them.

The Names.

It is generally held to be Siliquastrum of Pliny, a siliquis quas producit, and Piperitis of him also, quia fructu•• Piperis sapore & acrimonia sit, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 mordeo, Capsicum of Actuarius, Pena thinketh it to be Zingiher Caninum of Avicen: it is in these dayes diversely called, for some call it Piper Indicum, Piper Americanum, Piper Brasilicum, or Brasilianum, some Calecuthium, some Hispanicum, and some Piper de Guinea. Fragosus saith that the Indians call it Axi, and besides the sorts here mentioned, he speaketh of one in the last Chapter of Spices, of a blackish blew colour, familiar in Spaine. Of the Italians Pepe Cornuto, and Pepe d'India. Of the Spaniards Pepe Indiano. Of the French Poiure d'Inde, and Poiure d'Espagne. Of the Germanes Pfeffer Indianisch, and so like∣wise of the Dutchmen, we in English generally call it Ginny Pepper, and some Indian Pepper. The first as being best knowne, and first obtained in these Christian parts of the world, is mentioned by most of the later writers: Fuschius calleth the first two, Capsicum rubrum & nigrum, and Siliquastrum majus & minus, Matthiolus calleth them Piper Indicum, and mentioneth three sorts, this first kinde, the sixth sort, and the seventh, which the fi∣gure in Bauhinus, his addition unto him doth demonstrate. Lugdunensis calleth them, Capsicum majus & minus, Caesalpinus tooke it to be Circaea of Dioscorides. Lobel calleth them Capsicum, vel Piper Indicum longioribus sili∣quis: the thirteenth is likewise remembred by Fuschius, by the name of Capsicum latum, and Siliquastrum qua∣tum, and so doth Dodonaeus also, and Lugdunensis from him, call it Capsicum latum, some also doe call that

sort Capsicum Cordatum: the last is mentioned by Camerarius in his Hortus Medicus, by the name of Piper Indicum piloso caule: the most of the rest are remembred by the foresaid Gregorio de Reggio, and some by Bauhinus.

The Vertues.

The Ginny Pepper of all sorts (for herein they are all like) are hot and dry in the fourth degree, and beyond it if there be any beyond it, and are so fiery hot and sharpe biting in tast, that they burne and enflame the mouth and throate so extreamely that it is hardly to be endured; for if any shall eate thereof unadvisedly, it will bee almost sufficient to choake them, and if it be outwardly applyed to the skin in any place of the body, it will exulcerate it, and raise blisters in the same manner, as if they had beene burnt with fire or scalding water: yea the fierce vapours that arise from the huskes or cods, while one doth but open them, to take out the seede, to use or sowe, (especially if they doe mince or beate them into pouder) will so pierce the senses by flying up into the head by the nostrills, that it will procure aboundance of neesings, and draw downe such aboundance of thin rheume, that it is to be admired, forcing teares very plentifully: and passing likewise into the throate, it will provoke a sharpe coughing, and even cause a vomiting in that vehemencie, that all the bowells as well as the stomack, will be much perplexed therewith, and if any shall with their hands touch their face or eyes, it will raise so great an inflammation, both in the face and eyes, that they will thinke themselves utterly spoyled, which will not bee remedyed in a long time, by all the bathing of them with wine or cold water that may be used, but yet will passe away without further harme: if some hereof be cast into the fire, it raiseth greevous strong and noysome vapours, procuring sneezings very fiercely and coughing, and even vomiting or casting very strongly, to all that be in the roome any thing neare thereunto: yet marke and observe the goodnesse of our good God, that hath notwithstanding all these evill and noysome qualities, given unto man the knowledge how to tame and maister them, and cause them to be serviceable and profitable for their health: for whereas if it should be taken simply of it selfe, either in pouder or decoction, it were scarse to be endured, although in a small quantitie, and by often taking would prove very dangerous to life, the way here set downe is found to be the safest, both to be taken familiarly and often without offence in meate as well as medicine, as also to worke those good effects in Physick whereunto it is conducible: It is Gregorio de Reggio his receipt, for take saith he, of the ripe cods of any sort of Ginny Pepper (for as I sayd before, they are all in propertie alike) and dry them well, first of themselves, and then in an oven, after the bread is taken out, put into a pot or pipkin, with some flower that they may be tho∣roghly dryed, clense them from the flower, and their stalkes if they have any, cut them or clip them very small, both huskes and seedes within them, and to every ounce of them, put a pound of fine wheate flower (the same yee dryed them withall in the oven, may be p••rt if yee will) make them up together into cakes or small loaves with so much leaven, as yee thinke may be convenient for the quantitie you make; bake these as you doe bread of that sise, and being baked cut it againe into smaller parts, and bake it againe, that it may be as dry and hard as bis∣ket, which beaten into fine pouder and sifted, may be kept for any the uses hereafter specified, or may serve in stead of ordinary Pepper, to season meate or broth, or for sauce, or any other purpose the East Indian Pepper doth serve: for it not onely giveth as good, but rather a better taste or rellish to the meate or sauce (yea and your wine and other drinke) but it is found to be singular good, to breake and discusse the winde, both in the stomacke and the collicke in the body: it is singular good to be used with such meates as are flatulent or windy, and such as breed much moysture and crudities (whereof fish is reckoned one speciall:) one scruple of the said pouder, taken in a little broth of Veale, or of a Chicken, doth wonderfully comfort a cold stomacke, causing flegme, and such grosse or viscous humours as lye low in the bottome thereof to be avoided, helpeth disgestion, for it provoketh an ap∣petite to meate, provoketh urine, and taken with Saxifrage water expelleth the stone in the kidneyes, and the flegme that breedeth them, and taketh away the dimnes or mistinesse of the sight used in meates; taken with Pillule Aelephanginae doth helpe the dropsie: the pouder taken for three dayes together in the decoction of Peny-royall, expelleth the dead birth, but if a peece of the cod or huske, either greene or dry be put into the mother after delivery, it will make them barren for ever after: but the pouder taken for foure or five dayes fasting, with as much Fennell seede, will ease all paines of the mother: the same also made up with a little pouder of Gentian, and oyle of bayes into a pessarie, with some cotten wooll, doth bring downe their courses if they have beene stayed the same mixed with a Lohoc or Electuary for the cough, helpeth an old inveterate cough; being mixed with hony and applyed to the throate, troubled with the squinsie, helpeth it in a short space, and made up with a little pitch or Turpentine, and layd upon any hard knots or kernells in any part of the body, it will resolve them, and not suffer any more to grow there: mixed with some niter and used, it taketh away the morphew and all other freckles, spots or markes, and discoulourings of the skin; applyed with Hens grease dissolveth all cold impostumes and carbuncles, and mixed with sharpe Vinegar, dissolveth the hardnesse of the spleene: if some thereof bee mixed with unguentum de alablastro, and the raines of the backe anointed therewith, it will take away the shaking fits of Agues: a plaister made thereof, and the leaves of Tobacco, will heale the sting or biting of any venemous beast: the decoction of the huskes themselves made with water, and the mouth gargled therewith easeth the toothach, and preserveth them from rottennesse: the ashes of them being rubbed on the teeth, will clense them and make them grow white that were blacke: the decoction of them with wine helpeth the Rupture that commeth of water, if it be applyed warme morning and evening if they ••ut it to steepe for three dayes together in aqua vitae, and the place affected with the palsie bathed therewith, will give a great deale of ease; and steeped for a day in wine, and two spoonefull thereof drunke every day fasting, will helpe a stinking breath, although it hath continued long; and snuft up into the nostrills, will correct and helpe the stinch of them, which is procured of flegme corrupted therein.

CHAP. XII. Dorycnium. The supposed venemous plant Dorycnium.

I Here are diverse plants set forth for the true Dorycnium of Dioscorides by diverse Writers, not any one whereof agreeth with all the notes that he giveth of it; so that yet to this day, the true Dorycnium, is not knowne to any that we can heare of: I will therefore here set forth unto you some of those plants, that the most judicious moderne Writers, doe suppose may be referred thereunto, as agreeing therewith in many things, and shew whereunto else they may most properly be referred.

1. Dorycnium supposititium Monspeliense & Hispanicum. The white shrubbe Trefoile of Mompelier and Spaine.

The shrubbe Trefoile, which Rondeletius and other the learned of Mompelier, (as Pena saith) called Do∣rycnium, shooteth forth many wooddy branches, browne at the bottome, and whiter towards the toppes, some∣what flexible, to the height of three or foure foote (as I have observed in mine owne Garden) whereon at severall distances, come forth diverse smal whitish leaves, three or five or more together at a joynt, round about the stalke: at the toppes of the branches stand many small whitish flowers in tuftes, like unto the flowers of other Trefoiles but smaller, which turne into small long cods with small round blackish gray seedes within them: the roote is great, wooddy, very long, and branched into many parts under ground, of a pale reddish or flesh colour on the inside, covered with a darke brownish barke: which abideth diverse yeares, although the branches dye downe to the ground, if there be care taken to defend it from the extremities of the frosts in Winter, for want whereof mine perished: it hath little or no taste at all.

2. Dorycnio congener Clusij. Another Trefoile like unto the former.

This other as Clusius faith is very like the former, but more white or hoary, having shorter and broader leaves set in the same manner, three or five together, upon the small bending branches, which are whiter and slenderer than they: the flowers are greenish and larger than the former, standing many together on a slender bare twigge; Anguilara and Camerarius say the flowers are purple, or of a whitish purple colour, this hath a saltish taste with some acrimony in it also.

3. Dorycnium Dioscoridis fortè Ponae. Pona his supposed true Dorycnium of Dioscorides.

This strange plant saith Pona, that was encreased from the seede sent out of Candy, to Signor Contarino, and grew in his garden, rose to the height of a foote and a halfe, spreading forth into many branches, whereon did grow many small long and narrow rugged leaves full of veines, lesser then the leaves of the Olive tree, set with∣out order upon them: the flowers were fashioned like unto the blossomes of Pulse or Pease sometimes of a white colour, and sometimes of a more yellowish colour: the

[illustration]

1. 2. Dorycnium supposititium Monspeliense & Hispanicum. The white shrubbe trefoile of Mompelier and Spaine. Et Dorycnio congener Clusij. Another like it.

seed he saith he did not see, (but surely it must give seede in cods or huskes: for there are very few plants that beare pease or pulse like flowers, but they beare their seede in cods or the like) the rootes are many small strings and fibres shooting from a head, which whether it die every yeare or abide, wee have not yet learned: but Dioscorides saith that his Dorycnium hath a roote of the length of a cubit and of the thickenesse of a finger when it is growne old, which this as you heare hath not, and therefore if for nothing else, it agreeth not with the right Dorycnium of Dioscorides, and yet Pona saith, he hath not seene any plant that doth so neerely resemble the true Dorycnium as this doth.

4. Dorycnium Creticum Alpini. The supposed true Dorycnium of Candy.

This plant doth so differ from others, that every one is ready to apply it to a severall plant, as his judgement and affection to some particular part thereof doth draw him, because it doth partake with divers plants, as you shall heare: it riseth with divers straight upright wood∣dy stalkes, yet very flexible, divided into many bran∣ches from the bottome, all white or hoary; whereon grow many long thicke, and somewhat narrow white silver like leaves, set without order, at the toppes of the stalkes and branches, come forth many flowers to∣gether in a tuft or umbell, with some small leaves with them, every one whereof is broad, open at the brims, and round, consisting of one whole leafe, like unto a Bell-flower, or bindweed, which open by degrees, one after another, and not all together, whereby it doth continue the longer in flowring: after the flowers are fallen, come small rough huskes, wherein is contained blacke seed, like unto those of the Bindweedes, some∣what thicke and great: the roote is somewhat great and thicke not growing downe deepe into the ground, with many fibres thereat, which abideth many yeares in the warme countryes, yet the branches lose their

[illustration]

[illustration]

3. Dorycnium Dioscoridis forte Pona. Pona his supposed true Dorycnium of Dioscorides.

4. Dorycnium Creticum Alpini. The supposed true Dorycnium of Candy by Alpinus.

leaves in winter, themselves yeelding new, and budding fresh in the spring but hardly endureth a winter with us, unlesse especiall care be had to preserve it, by keeping it in a large pot or, such like, and housing it untill the spring.

The Place.

The two first grow in divers provinces of Spaine, as Clusius setteth it downe, and the foremost about Mom∣pelier also. The third and the last growboth in rocky or stony places neare the Sea, in Candy, from whence the seede or plants were first brought into Italy, and from thence to severall friends elsewhere.

The Time.

They doe all flower very late in these parts, whereby their seede seldome commeth to perfection, and in their naturall not untill the Autumne.

The Names.

It is called in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Dorycnium, and of Cratevas as Dioscorides saith, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Halicacabus, and Calea, some write it is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Dorycnium quasi toxicum, quo spicula cuspidatave tela infici solita fue∣runt, ut celeriorem molirentur perniciem saith Pena, but we cannot heare, that any of these plants, have any sopori∣ferous, much lesse venemous or mortall quality in them, as Dioscorides attributeth to his, and therefore the more suspitious that none of them are the right, although in the outward face, they may all of them, in some things resemble it. There are other plants also referred thereunto, as the Phyllirea, which Gesner in hortis Germaniae, ta∣keth to be a shrubbe like unto the Vitis Idaea, as also Pisum cordatum, or Ʋesicaria nigra, sive peregrinna cordis af∣figie, by Cordus upon Dirscorides. The first is called Dorycnium verum, by the learned of Mompelier, as Pena and Lobel say, and Anguillara, and Clusius say the same also, yet Clusius calleth it Dorycnicum Hispanicum, which was also sent him as he saith, by Ʋlisses Aldroandus, by the name of Trifolium album, but by Cordus in the place before recited, it is accounted false. Bauhinus in his Pinax reckoneth it among the spiked Trefoiles, calling it Trifolium album angustifolium floribus, velut in capitulum congestis. Clusius saith that the Spaniards about Sala∣manca, where he found it, call it Mijediega. Gerard calleth it venemous Trefoile of Mompelier, and of Spaine, ma∣king them to be two severall plants, expressed by two figures, and M^r Iohnson his corrector letteth them so passe likewise, but I had rather give it the denomination of Dorycnium, from the Latine, as most other nations doe, and call it Dorycnium supposititium, supposed Dorycnium, because it is but supposed to be right, or else from the forme, and call it shrubbe Trefoile onely, because it is not dangerous. The second is so called by Clusius, as it is in the title, but Bauhinus calleth it Lotos pentaphyllos incanus. The third is called by Pona in his Italian booke, Dorycnium Dioscoridis forte, but by Bauhinus in his Pinax, Iaceae olaae folio affinis, and saith hee had the seede from Honorius Bellus, out of Candy, by the name of Lago Chymica, which grew with him, but if the flowers be leguminous, as Pona describeth them to be it cannot possibly come nere to any Iacaea, and yet againe in his Pinax, fol. 465. he maketh it also to be Cneoro albo affinis, which how likely it is, let others judge. The last Clusius set∣teth forth in the Appendix, to his History of Plants, by the name of Dorycnium Plateau, because Iacobus Plateau. had it growing with him, from the seede received from Candy, and sent both the figure and description thereof

unto Clusius, Imperatus also it is likely had it from thence, by the same name of Dorycnium, for so Bauhinus saith, he called it, and Alpinus in his booke de plantis exoticis, saith that they of Candy doe call it Dorycnium. Yet Pona doth not account it to be the right, but rather thinketh it to be a Convolvus, and calleth it Convolvulus rect•• Creticus. Lugdunensis calleth it Cneorum album Dalechampij, and Bauhinus in his Pinax calleth it, Cneorum ••∣bum folio oleae argenteo molli.

The Vertues.

There hath not beene any experience made of any of these plantes, so farre as I can understand, that they be effectuall to any Physicall use, and therefore I can say no more of them; for seeing none of them are soperiferous, as Dioscorides his Dorycnium, or venemous, and was accounted as strong a Toxicum, to dippe their arrowes heads in, to kill wild beasts, as any other; I cannot appropriate the vertues of Dorychinum, to any of these plants. Yet Galen accounted it onely like unto Mandrake and Poppy, for the cooling property, and only dangerous if too much were taken thereof, in provoking too much sleepe.

CHAP. XIII. Hyoscyamus. Henbane.

THe ancient writers hath made mention, but of three kindes of Henbane, the one blacke, the other white, and the third yellow; which denominations are not taken from the colour of the herbe or flower, but of the seede: but there hath beene some other sorts found out of later times; all which I thinke meete to set downe in this Chapter together.

1. Hyoscyamus vulgaris. Common Henbane.

Our common Henbane, hath very large, thicke, soft, woolly leaves, lying upon the ground, much cut in or torne on the edges, of a darke or evill grayish greene colour, among which rise up divers thicke and soft stalkes, two or three foote high, spread into divers smaller branches, with some lesser leaves on them, and many hollow flowers, scarse appearing above the huskes, and usually torne on the one side, ending in five round points, grow∣ing one above another, of a deadish yellow colour, somewhat paler towards the edges, with many purplish veines therein, and of a darke yellowish purple in the bottome of the flower, with a small pointell of the same colour in the middle, each of them standing in a hard close huske, which after the flower is past, groweth very like (the huske of the Pomgranet flower, but that is not so well knowne unto us) the flower or huske of As••a bacca, and somewhat sharpe at the toppe points, wherein is contained much small seed, very like unto Poppy seede, but of a duskye grayish colour, the roote is great white, and thicke, branching forth divers wayes under ground, so like unto a Parsnep roote, but that it is not so white, that it hath deceived divers, as you shall heare by and by; the whole plant more then the roote, hath an heavie evill soporiferous smell somewhat offen∣sive.

[illustration]

1. Hyoscyamus nige•• vel vulgaris. Common or white Henbane.

3. Hyoscyamus Creticus. Henbane of Candye.

2. Hyoscyamus albus. White Henbane.

The white Henbane hath divers large leaves, but not so great as the former, yet more soft and woolly and not so much jagged or torne on the edges, rounder also, and of a paler greene colour; the stalkes grow higher, and with fewer branches on them, the flowers are in forme like the other, but smaller and of a pale colour, en∣clining to a whitish yellow: the seed likewise groweth in such like hard huskes, but lesse prickely, and is whi∣ter: the roote also is not much unlike, but lesser and perisheth every yeare that it giveth seede, the smell of this is nothing so heady and offensive as the other.

3. Hyoscyamus Creticus. Henbane of Candy.

This Henbane of Candy, hath lesser and thinner leaves then the last, more white and woolly, and more cut in on the edges, dented also, and standing upon longer

[illustration]

4 Hyoscianus Aegyptius. Henbane of Egypt.

footestalkes, the stalkes are more slender and short, ha∣ving such like flowers, ending in full round leaves, stan∣ding higher above the huskes, of a faire yellow and some∣time of a pale yellow colour, and purple at the bottome: after which come seede like the common kinde, but some∣what yellower in rounder heades or huskes: the roote is somewhat thicke and short, like a Navew roote, dying every yeare with us.

4. Hyoscyamus Aegyptius. Henbane of Egypt.

The Egyptian Henbane riseth up with a strong woolly stalke, about two foote high, wheron are set lesser leaves, then those of the common kinde, and almost as much torne on the edges, especially those towards the bottome, but those that grow up higher toward the toppe, are little or nothing cut on the edges at all, all of them being very white and hoary: the flowers stand every one of them at the joynts with the leaves, and at the tops likewise, in such like huskes as the common doth, and of the same pale yellow colour, with purple veines therein, at the first blowing of them, but afterwards as they grow larger, so the colour changeth to be of a darke reddish colour, with veines of a deeper colour, and a whitish bottome, with a purple pointell, encompast with yellowish threds in the middle, after which commeth such like prickely heads, as the common kinde hath, and such like seed also: the roote is small and perisheth every yeare.

The Place.

The first is commonly growing by the way sides, and under hedge sides, and walles: the second groweth by the Sea sides, in Narbone in France, neare where the River Rh••da••us runneth into the Sea. The third groweth in Can∣dye, and in Spaine also, from whence the seed being sent, hath growne with me and divers others also. The last is naturall both in Egypt and Syria, and in our Gardens.

The Time.

They doe all flower in Iuly, yet the strange kindes somewhat later, and from their seed growing ripe, and suffered to shed, it springeth up againe every yeare, but the two last doe scarse perfect their seede with us.

The Names.

It is called in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, quasi faba porcina, quod Aeliano authore, pastu hujus herbae convellantur sues aprive, presenti mortis periculo, nisi copia aquae statim se foris & intus proluerint: adeuntes aquas, non ut proluant se tantum, verum etiam ut cancros venentur, eos enim nacti protinus sanitati restituuntur; in Latine also Hyoscya∣mus, and corruptly Iusquiamus, and Apollinaris, ab Apolline medecinae inventore, vel quia opplet cerebrum vitioso & faetido halitu, coque montem percellit, quasi Apollinis oestro. Pliny saith that the Arabians call it Altercum, or Altercangenum, but Scribonius saith the Latines call it Altercum, ab altercando, quia cum verborum altercatione rixaque se torquent Hyosciamo dementati; Camerarius saith, it is also called Priapcia, quia Itali semine utuntur ad priapismum sedandum. It is called by the Arabian Phisitions Bengi (which name differeth but little from Bangue of Garcias ab Orta, and Christophorus Acosta, so called of the Persians and Indians also of divers places, and peradven∣ture may be the same, for they say the plant is insipide, or without taste, and the seede both smaller then Hempe whereunto it is compared, and not so white: (and which hath a great affinity as Clusius saith, with the Maslac of the Turkes: yet Bauhinus saith, that their Maslac, is made of the great Stramonium or Pomum spinosum) which procureth a kinde of sleepy drunkennesse, or alienation of the minde, as this doth, with some other ef∣fects tending to venery, as may be seene in their workes, whereunto I referre those that would be further in∣formed:) of the Italians Iusquiamo, of the Spaniards Ʋelenho, of the French Iusquiame, and Hanne banc, of the Germanos Biilsenkraut, of the Dutchmen Bilsen cruide. The first is called by all authors Hyoscyamus vulgaris, or niger, onely Fuschius calleth it flavus. The second is likewise called Hyoscyamus albus of all, and is but of one kinde, although Bauhinus seemeth to make two. The third is called by Clusius, Hyoscyamus Creticus, and although he make two sorts as Bauhinus doth, that followeth him, yet assuredly I thinke that they are both but one plant, as the descriptions doe declare. The last likewise is by Bauhinus divided into two or three sorts, because Ca∣merarius in horto, setteth forth two figures, the one he nameth Syriacus, the other peculiaris; when in his de∣scriptions he saith they differ onely in the broadnesse of the leaves, the one from the other, which may happen rather by the fertility of the soile, wherein they grow, then of any other specificall difference. Bauhinus nameth

it rubello flore, and maketh it to be another sort from the Egyptiacus of Clusius, when as both Clusius and Camerarius agree in this, that Paludanus brought the seede from Egypt, and Rauwolfinus saith he found it growing about Aleppo: so that the seven sorts of Hyoscyamus set forth by Bauhinus, are but these foure here recited, for his th•• sorts of white, are but one, his two sorts of Candy are but one; and his two sorts, the one rubello flore, and the other spinosi ssimis Aecauliculis giptiacus are but one, even that which Camerarius calleth Syriacus, and peculi•• and Clusius Aegyptiacus rubello flore: but Dioscorides his third sort, wich is the yellow, is not declared, which if these it should be, the first being called niger, blacke, and the second white, are peculiarly set downe, and agre•• upon by all, but the yellow, as I said is not so plainely determined, some taking the English Tobacco to be it or the Indian kinde, being quite differing in effect, this being hot and stupefactive, the other cold and soperiferous: but if I might be allowed my verdit, I should say that the Candy Henbane is most probable to be the yellow, and the Egyptian kinde the blacke, or a species thereof differing onely by the climate.

The Vertues.

The blacke or common Henbane, and the yellow, are both accounted to be more dangerous than the white, and therefore to be as much avoyded in inward medicines as may be, and that but in case of necessitie, when the white cannot be had, for the white is cold in the third degree, and the other in the fourth, procuring drowsi∣nesse and a senslessnesse of the spirits, stupefied by the benumming qualitie; the white is fit onely to be used in in∣ward Phisicke, which is most availeable to many good purposes, if it be wisely and conveniently applied; but the leaves of them all doe coole all hot inflammations, either in the eyes or any other part of the body; and are good to asswage all manner of swellings, whether of the cods, or womens breasts, or else where, if they be boyled in wine, and either applied themselves or the fomentation warme: the same also applied to the goute, asswageth the paines thereof, and of the Sciatica, and all other paines in the joynts, and other parts, which rise from an hot cause; it helpeth likewise the headach, and want of sleepe in hot fevers, applying it with vinegar to the forehead and temples: the juyce of the herbe or seede, or the oyle drawne from the seede doth the like, and so doth the decoction of the huskes, to wash the feete or the head, but see that you doe not use it too often for feare of danger: Dioscorides saith that the seede is profitable against the defluxions, of hot and sharpe salt rheumes upon the lungs causing a cough, as also against the strangling and other paines of the mother, and to stay the over∣great fluxes of their courses, and all other fluxes of bloud: the oyle of the seede is helpefull for the deafenesse and noise and wormes in the eares, being dropped therein: the juice of the herbe or roote doth also the same: it helpeth the tooth-ach, if the roote be boyled in vinegar, and a little of the decoction be held on that side the paine is: some have also affirmed, that the fume of the seede being burned, taken into the mouth, will not onely ease the paines, but cause the wormes to fall out from the teeth, but diverse cunning knaves to deceive those they would get money from, having caused such to hold their mouthes over warme water, have cunningly conveyed small peeces of Lute strings into the water, to cause them to beleeve they voyded so many live wormes, as there are peeces in the water: for the property of those Lute strings is, that feeling the heate of the water, they will seeme to stirre, and move as though they were alive: but Pena sheweth that hee knew a young woman that used the foresaid fomentation for her teeth, that after shee had ease of them, was for three dayes so troubled in her senses, that she seemed as if shee had beene drunke, being very merry and pleasant all that time, which passed away without further danger: but I know a friend of mine, that having digged up some Parsneppe rootes that grew in his Garden, by chance some rootes of Henbane which grew among them (which a I had before is somewhat like thereunto) were boyled with them, and he eating thereof at supper, was very shortly after first troubled with a drought, that nothing that he could take would quench it, then his taste, or rellish of any thing was taken away, suddenly also his sight was troubled that he could not discerne things as they were, but as if they were 3. or 4. fold, his urine also was quite stopped, so that notwithstanding he had great desire to make water, yet he could not possibly: in this perplexitie he continued most of the night, neither could he rest, or sleepe being in bed, but his urine by the stopping thereof grew so hot within him, and not able to passe it from him, caused him to bethinke himselfe of a pouder, himselfe had caused to be made, availeable against the stone, which he caused to be given him, which suddenly caused him to make water and thereby hee presently felt incredible ease in his whole body, for all the things that he had taken before did doe him no good, but by this meanes he quickly recovered his sight, and the other symptomes vanished, and before morning, hee was as well as before the taking of that roote: the servants also that did eate of the good Parsneps that were boyled with these malignant rootes were somewhat distempered, some more some lesse, each somewhat, according to their feeding, and their owne dispositions working together: this I have related that you may know also the danger of this herbe, and of every part thereof; the seede is usually mixed with Cocu•• Indus to take fish, causing them that take it to turne up their bellies, and lie above the water as if they were dead for a while; but they doe not long abide in this manner, but returne to their senses againe and swimme away: Hens also or other birds, that take of this seede will die, and the fume of the herbe being bur∣ned, and brought into their rousting place, will cause them to fall downe as if they were dead: the decoction also of the herbe or seede or both, will kill lice and vermine whether in man or beast, which you shall plainely per∣ceive in a dogge troubled with lice, being washed therewith, the lice will be soone found dead upon him, and some fall from him: the fume of the dried herbe, stalkes, and seede burned, and the hands held over the fume thereof, that are troubled with swellings and chilblanes in the Winter, or their heeles that have kibes, will quickly heale them. The distilled water of the herbe is effectuall for all the purposes aforesaid. The remedy to helpe those that have taken Henbane, is to drinke Goates milke, much mede or honied water, Pine kernells with sweete wine; or if these be not at hand or will doe no good. Fennell seede, Nettle seede, the seede of Cressies, Mustard or Raddish, as also Onions or Garlicke taken in wine, doe all helpe to free them from danger, and re∣store them to their due temper againe. The white Henbane is as I said, the fittest and most effectuall in all inward medicines for the griefes afore specified: the other sorts are of the qualitie of the ordinary, that is, more dange∣rous than the white.

CHAP. XIV. Papaver. Poppie.

THere are diverse sorts of Poppies, some tame and of the garden, others wild and of the fieldes; of the Garden kinde some have single and some have double flowers: of the wilde there are diverse kindes, some of the corne fields most properly and plentifully, and therefore called Corne Rose, or Corne Poppie, others whose heads of seede are small & long, bending or bowing like an horne, and therefore called Horned Poppy, of which kinde one sort groweth most usually by the sea side: others by the pathes, hedges and bankes in fields: then that kinde called Spatling Poppie, differing from them all, as Papaver Heracleum doth, although called Poppy: and lastly, there is a bastard kind of wild Poppie, called in Latine Argemone, which al∣though Dioscorides reckoneth it not among the Poppies, yet he maketh it like unto the wild corne Poppie, both in heads and flowers, and like the Anemones in leaves, and as he saith with a round roote, wherein it differeth from ours. Of some of these kindes I have already spoken, and therefore neede not to discribe them againe: the Gar∣den kindes, with double flowers I have set forth in my former Booke of the Garden of flowers, as also a kinde of that wild Corne Poppie, that beareth double flowers: and in the Classis of purging plants, here before in this Booke, I have set downe all the sorts of Horned Poppie; as also that kind of Spatling Poppie, that is so accounted with us: the rest of the sorts and kindes not set forth, are now to be entreated off: but I thinke it most fit to give you some of the figures before expressed, and to speake of the sorts of Argemone, in the next Chapter, and not in this.

1. Papaver simplex sativum album. Single Garden white Poppie.

The Garden Poppie hath at the first, foure or five whitish greene leaves, lying upon the ground, which rise with the stalke, compassing it at the bottome of them and are very large both broad and long, much rent or torne in on the edges, and dented also besides: the stalke (for every roote for the most part hath but one, of the height of foure or five foote (hath sometimes no branches at the toppe, and usually but two or three at the most, bearing every one but one head, wrapped or folded in a thinne filme or skinne, which boweth downe, before it be ready to blow, and then rising and being broken, the flower which was foulded within it, sprea∣deth it selfe open, and consisteth of foure very large white round leaves, with many whitish round threds in the middle, set about a small round greene head, having a crowne or starre-like cover at the head thereof, which growing ripe becommeth to be as large as the greatest apple; (Bellonius saith the heades are in Natolia (where they make Opium) so great, that they will containe halfe a pint) wherein are contained a great number of white small round seede, in severall partitions or divisions, next unto the shell the middle thereof remaining hollow

[illustration]

1. Papave simplex album sativum. Garden white Poppie

Papaver multiplici flore. Double Garden Poppies.

and emptie: this head abideth close, and openeth not at the toppe under

[illustration]

2. Papaver sativum simplex nigrum. Single garden blacke Poppie.

4. Papaver Rhaeas. Wild Poppie or corne Rose.

5. Papaver spinosum Americanum. Thorny Poppie of America.

the crowne, as all the blacke kindes for the most part doe: all the whole plant, both leaves stalkes and heads, while they are fresh, young and greene, yeeld a milke when they are broken, of an unpleasant bitter taste, almost ready to provoke casting, and of a strong heady smell, which being condensate, is called either Opium or Meconium, as you shall heare by and by: the roote is white and wooddy, perishing as soone as it hath given ripe seede: Of this white kinde, there is another in all things like unto it, but that the flowers, but especially the head of seede is not so great by the halfe, and for the most part hath more bran∣ches upon the stalkes;* 1.11 the seede is as white as the other, and as large or great.* 1.12 The varieties of the double garden Poppies are set forth in my former Booke.

2. Papaver sativum simplex nigrum. Single garden blacke Poppie.

There is little difference to be discerned betweene this and the last mentioned, untill it beareth his flower, which in this is somewhat lesse, and of a blacke purplish colour, without any purple spots in the bottome of the leafe as in the next; the head of seede is usially not so bigge as the second sort of white ones, and openeth it selfe a little round about the toppe under the crowne, so that the seede which is very blacke, will fall out if one turne the head thereof downewards.

3. Papaver sativum simplex flore rubro rubente, &c. Single garden red Poppie of diverse colours.

There be some other sorts of this garden Poppie, which differ not onely somewhat in the leaves from the former, being lesser, and in some crumpled and cut in on the edges, but in the jagged edges also of some of the flowers, and specially in the colour of the flower and seede, for the flower of some will be very red, of others paler, some of a Rose colour, others of a murry colour, either deeper or paler, yet all of them have a deeper spot somewhat large in the bottome of every leafe: and as the flower varieth so doth the seede also, for the Rose and pale coloured flower bringeth gray or ashcoloured seed, the Reddish and deepemurrey, not so pale seede, but more enclining to the blacke: the seedes of all these kindes, the white as well as the blacke or gray, if they be suffered to shed will spring up againe the next yeare, and beare every kinde

his owne colour of flower and seed, and doe not degenerate or vary, for ought that ever I could observe.

4. Papaver erraticum, Rhaeas sive silvestre. Wilde red Poppy or Corne Rose.

The leaves of the wild Poppy, are long and narrow, very much cut in on the edges into many divisions, of a light greene colour, but not whitish, and sometimes hairye withall: the stalke is blackish and hairy also, but riseth not up so high as the Garden kindes, having some such like leaves thereon as grow below, parted into three or foure branches sometimes, whereon grow small hairy heads bowing downe, before the skinne breake, where∣in the flower is enclosed, which when it is full blowne open, is of a faire yellowish red or crimson colour, and in some much paler, without any spot in the bottome of the leaves, having many blacke soft threds in the middle, compassing a small greene head, which when it is ripe, is not bigger then ones little fingers end, wherein is con∣tained much blacke seede, smaller by halfe then that of the Garden: the roote perisheth every yeare, and the seed springeth every yeare of its owne sowing. Of this kinde there is one that is lesser in all the parts thereof, and differeth in nothing else. Bauhinus maketh mention of one of this kinde, that bore a great yellow flower,* 1.13 and peradventure might be the Argemone flore luteo in the next Chapter, but the plant was onely brought dry un∣to him, gathered as he saith in divers wet places, on the Pyrenean hils. The double wild Poppy is described also in my former Booke.

5. Papaver spinosum. Thorny Poppy.

Vnto the sorts of Poppye I thinke meete to adjoyne this Thornye Poppy, not finding a fitter place; which hath at the first, three or more whitish greene leaves lying upon the ground, straked with white veines, which growing greater, are long, smooth, and not hairy, somewhat long and broad, rent or torne diversly on the edges, but not to the middle ribbe, having many corners or dentes as it were about them, whereat stand many small sharpe prickes or thornes, not having any white strakes or veineson the underside, but in the white milkye veines are like to that wilde Carduus or Thistle, called our Ladies Thistle, and on the underside are more whitish, with some small prickes, along the middle ribbe and veines, compassing the stalke at the bottome of them, which riseth to be two or three foote high, spreading forth into diverse branches, with the like, but lesser leaves on them, and bearing at every of the toppes, one small head, enclosed in a rough skinne or filme, like as the Poppies have, from whence I thinke rose the name of a Poppy, given unto it, which being open sheweth forth a small yellow flower, consisting of five leaves usually, yet sometimes it will have but foure, and some∣times sixe, with a small long greene prickely head in the middle, tipped at the top with a red spot, which quickly weareth away, and with many yellow threds standing about it; after the flower is past, for it continueth but a while, the head groweth ripe, having five or sixe ribbes from the toppe to the bottome, and so likewise be∣tweene the ribbes, armed with very small, but cruell sharpe and short prickes, or thornes, wherein is enclosed round rough blacke seed, twice as bigge as any Poppye seed: the roote is small and spreading, dying every yeare; every part of the plant yeeldeth a yellow juice.

The Place.

The Garden kindes doe not naturally grow wild in any place, I thinke, although Dioscorides, Galen, and o∣thers say, that the blacke kinde that sheddeth his seede, groweth wilde, for I rather suppose that some seed hap∣pening there by chance, shed it selfe, and so was thought to grow naturally wilde, and being suffered to shed, will grow plentifully, though smaller, but in all Countries, at the least in all Christian Countries, they are all sowen, and not found wild, so farre as I can learne, onely the first wilde kinde is plentifull enough, and many times too much, in the corne fields of all Countries, and also upon ditch banckes, and hedge sides: the lesser also is found in corne fieldes, but more rarely, as also in some other places. The thornye Poppy groweth in the West-Indies, from whence the seede was first brought to us.

The Time.

The Garden kindes are usually sowen in the spring, which then flower about the end of May, and somewhat earlier, if they spring of their owne sowing: the wilde kindes flower usuall from May untill Iuly, and the seed of them all is soone ripe after the flowring. The Thorny kinde flowreth seldome before Midsomer, and the seede is ripe in August, but is to be sowen in Autumne, or else it hardly springeth.

The Names.

It is called in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 non ministrando, quod vescentes suis muniis fungi non possunt; or as some thinke a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, quod ejus usus nimium infrigidet, & hominibus tandem motum auferat, the Garden white kinde is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (and of Dioscorides 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 thy lacitis and the blacke seede is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pithitis) hortense or sativum: the wild kinde is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Rhaeas, that is fluidum, quia flores protinus decidunt; in Latine Papaver Rhaeas, erraticum, rubrum, or silvestre; Dioscorides Galen, and others, make onely the first great white kinde, to be the Garden kinde, and the blacke to be the wilde sort, the Garden kinde is called by the Arabians Caxcax, by the Italians Papavero domestico, by the Spaniards Dormideras and Cascall, by the French Pavot, by the Ger∣mans Magsamen and Olsamen, of the Dutchmen Huell and Mancup; of us in English Poppy, or Garden Poppye for the most part, yet in some Countries with us, Ione silver pinne, subauditur faire without and foule within, and in many other places Cheeseboules: the wild Poppy is called in Italian, Papavero silvatico, in Spanish Ama∣polas rosella, and Papoulas; in French Coquelicoc, Pavot sauvage and Confanons, in the high Dutch tongue Clapper rosen, and korn rosen, in the low Dutch tongue Rooden huel, wilden huel, and Colbloemen, in English, Wild Poppy, Corne Rose, redweede, and Canckers, Tragus calleth it Argemone. The Thorny Poppy is called generally by all now adayes, Papaver spinosum, but of Gerard Carduus Cerysanthemus Peruanus; by the Spaniards in the Indies, from whom the Italians had it Figo del Jnferno, that is Ficus Infernalis, the Figge of hell, because the prickely head is long and round, somewhat like a figge, and that whosoever should have one of them sticke in his throate, it would surely send him to heaven or hell. The milkye juice gathered from the heades onely of the great white Poppye, growing in the East Countryes of Asia major, towards India, and in divers other countries of those Indies, (for it is there a great merchandise of much use and expence, as also in Paphlagonia, Cappadocia, Ga∣latia, Cilicia and Natolia, which is the lesser Asia, as I said before,) is that true and best Opium, that is or should be used in Narcoticke medicines, and is an ingredient of much respect, in those great compositions of Theriaca and Mithridatium, &c. whereof a small quantity, hath beene gathered in some Christian Countryes: and my selfe and others in our owne land, have gathered a little from the greene heads, as they stand, and are but halfe

growne ripe, slit or cut with a knife in two or three places, that the milke issuing forth, may be gathered into some convenient thing, and hardned afterwards in the Sunne, but not at the fire, which will not be so blacke as that Opium, that commeth usually to us, which is rather Meconium as Dioscorides setteth it downe, which is made of the juice of both leaves and heades pressed forth, of the white as well as of the blacke Poppy, for the true best Opium is somewhat of a whitish yellow or brownish colour, and giveth no such yellow tincture, as that which is sophisticate and made with Glaucium, (which is the yellow juice of an herbe, with leaves like un∣to horned Poppy, but divers have thought Glaucium, to be the juice of Chelidonius majus, others of Pomum am•• majus, and lastly Bauhinus and some others, thinke it to be of this thorny Poppy, because it giveth a yellow juice) but as Bellonius writeth, that to have any quantity of true Opium, it rather consisteth in the multitude of gathe∣rers (for it must be both speedily gathered, and in the heat of the day) then in the great quantity of ground sowen therewith, it being a tedious worke; for a very small quantity can be but gathered by any one in a day, in that every head yeeldeth but little, and must be attended to be taken from them, before it be dryed too much upon them.

The Ʋertues.

All the sorts of Poppyes are cold in the fourth degree, but especially Opium or the condensate juice, as Galen and divers other authours doe affime, yet Matthiolus sticketh thereat, thinking it rather to be hot, by the sharpe∣nesse and bitternesse thereof, and is Anodinum medicamentum, that is such a medicine, that by procuring sleepe, easeth many paines for the present, which indeede it doth but palliate or cause to be quiet for a time; the conti∣nuall use whereof, bringeth very often more harme, and a more dangerous disease then it hath allayed, that is an insensiblenesse or stupefaction of a part or member, which commeth to be the dead palsie, for although Diosco∣rides, Galen, and others write, that the white seed is familiarly taken in bread, and made into cakes and eaten with pleasure, and Matthiolus and divers others have observed that in our dayes, the white Poppy seede, is sowen in Italy and other places, and much used, yea and the blacke seede also, although as they all agree, it is stronger in operation, and onely medicineable, or onely to be used in Physicke to helpe diseases; for Matthiolus writeth that the inhabitants about Trent, doe sow the blacke seede in their fields and grounds, among Beanes and other pulse, which they familiarly eate, being made into cakes, that are made of many foldes, the seede be∣ing cast in betweene the folds, and so kneaded together, and yet hee saith, they are no whit more sleepy or drowsie, then those that eate none of them: as also that in Stiria and the upper Austria, the inhabitants doe eate the oyle pressed out of the blacke seede in their meates familiarly, in the stead of Sallet oyle, and finde no incon∣veniency of drowsinesse at all thereby; which made him as he saith, venture to give the creame of the seede made up with Barly water oftentimes, and in great quantity, in the hot fits of agues, and burning feavers, both to aswade thirst, and to procure rest, and hereby as he saith, he shooke of that feare of Poppy, that his wise Masters had by their grave admonitions, seasoned him withall in former times: the Garden Poppy heads with seedes made into a Syrupe, is both frequently used in our dayes, and to very good effect to procure rest and sleepe in the sicke and weake, and to stay catarrhes, and defluxions of hot and thinne rheume, from the head into the stomacke, and upon the lungs, causing a continuall cough, the forerunner of a consumption; but hath not halfe that force in those that are stronger, for the strength or debility of nature worketh divers effects, as you see, as well in this, as in all or most other things; the same also helpeth the hoarsenesse of the throate, and when one hath lost their voyce, which the oyle of the seede doth likewise: the blacke seed boyled in wine and drunke, is said also to stay the fluxe of the belly, and the immoderate course of womens sickenesse: the empty shels of the Poppy heades, are usually boyled in water, and given to procure rest and sleepe; so doe the leaves in the same manner, as also if the head and temples be bathed with the decoction warme, or with the oyle of Poppyes, the greene leaves or heads bruised, and applyed with a little vinegar, or made into a pultis with Barly meale and Axungia, cooleth and tempereth all inflammations, as also that disease called Saint Anthonyes fire. The Opium, but I may rather say the Meconium, (which is the juice of the Poppy thickned) that is commonly used in the A∣pothecaries shops, and is much weaker by the judgement of all, both moderne and ancients, then the true Opium,) is much colder, and stronger in effect, than any other part of the plant, but if we may know the temperature and qualities of things, by their taste and effect, we may rather judge Opium to be hot then cold, or at the least, to have very hot parts in it, witnesse the bitternesse thereof, the heate and sharpenesse that is felt in the mouth, up∣on the tasting, and keeping it in the mouth a while, that it is ready to blister both tongue and pallate; as also the grievous or heady heavy smell, as well in it, as in the whole plant: but it may be saith Matthiolus, the bit∣ternesse, heate, and sharpenesse in Opium, or Meconium, is rather accessory then innate, and is therein by the mixture and adulterating of it with Glaucium, and to give a yellow juice, for our Opium if it be dissolved doth shew a brownish yellownesse; yet by his leave I may say, that even the fresh milke with us, is bitter and strong in smell like the Meconium or Opium, but because our ancients, who have found out the qualities of things and left them for our knowledge, have so found and judged of Opium, I must as Matthiolus saith, leave it for others to descant theron, as reason and experience shall direct them: It is generally used as I said before in Treakle and Mithridatum, and in all other medicines that are made to procure rest and sleepe, and to ease paines in the head, as well as in other parts, as I said before, or rather to palliate them, it is used also, both to coole inflammations, agues, or frensies, and to stay defluctions, which cause a cough or consumption, as also other fluxes of the belly, or womens courses, and generally for all the properties that the seede or any other part of the plant is used: it is also put into hollow teeth to ease the paine: it is used both in ocular and auricular medicines with some, and to stay fluxes and to ease paines, but Galen, and divers others in the former as well as in our times, have forbid∣den such medicines, as too dangerous for the eyes, and even any other wayes used inwardly, it is not to be ta∣ken, but with good correction and great caution, yet divers have found that applyed to the gout, it hath given much ease of paine: The wild or red Poppy that groweth in the corne, while it is young, is a Sallet herbe in Italy, in many places, and in the territory of Trent especially, as Matthiolus saith, as also to prevent the falling sicknesse, which Theophrastus also saith in his 9. booke and 13. Chapter, was common in his time: the Syrupe made of the flowers is with good effect, given to those that have a Plurisie, and the dryed flowers also, either boyled in water or made into powder and drunke, either in the distilled water of them, or in some other drinke, worketh the like effect; the same also is availeable, in all other cephalicall or pectorall griefes: the distilled

water of the flowers of the wilde red Poppyes, is held to be of much good use against surfets, to drinke it even∣ing and morning: it is also more cooling in quality then any other Poppy, and therefore cannot but be as ef∣fectuall in hot agues, frensies, and other inflammations, either inward or outward the Syrupe or water to be used therein, or the greene leaves used outwardly, either in an ointment as it is in Populeon, a cooling ointment, or any other wayes applyed, Galen in 7. facultatum simplicium medicamentorum, saith the seede is dangerous to be used inwardly. Gerard was much mistaken, to thinke that this wilde Poppy should be that, which should be used in the composition called Diacodium, and citeth Galen for his authour, as if he had taught him that opi∣nion, not understanding what kinde of Poppy Galen doth meane by wild Poppy, for he according as Dioscori∣des afore him hath done, accounteth onely the great white Poppy, whose heads are somewhat long, to be the garden or manured kinde, and the other blacke kind to be wild, and doth not meane this red Poppy, because it is onely wild with us, and not sowen, as whosoever shall observe the places throughly shall finde. The thor∣ny Poppy being but of late invention, hath not beene applyed to any disease by any, that I can heare of.

CHAP. XV. Argemone. Bastard wilde Poppy.

THere is of the kindes of wilde Poppy divers other sorts, some described by others, and some not set forth by any before that I know, which being found in our owne land, shall be spoken of with the rest.

1. Argemone capitulo rotundiore. Round headed bastard Wild Poppy.

This kind of wilde Poppy, hath divers hairy greene leaves lying on the ground, somewhat longer and more divided into parts, then those of the former wild Poppy, somewhat like unto the leaves of the thinne leafed Anemone or wind flower, as Lobel saith, but is seldome so found with us, from a∣mong which rise up diverse rough hairy stalkes, more then two foote high sometimes, bearing such like leaves here and there on them, lesser then those below, all yeelding a yellow juice or milke being broken, and on the top of each branch one flower lesser then the other wilde Poppy, yet consisting of foure round pointed leaves, of a more delayed red colour, sometimes having each of them a blackish spot in the bottome, and sometimes with∣out, with divers blackish threds standing about a small greene head, which when it is ripe, is somewhat short, rough and round, with some crests thereon, and a little round head, but not a Crowne or starre, like the Pop∣pies

[illustration]

1. Argemone capitulo rotundiore. Round headed bastard wilde Poppy.

4. Argemone lutea Cambro-Britanica. Yellow wild bastard Poppy of Wales.

at the top, wherein is conteined such like small blackish seed, as the former wild kind hath, but bigger, the roote is small and long, with many fibres thereat, and perisheth in the like manner after seede time.

2. Argemone capitulo longiore. Long headed Bastard wild Poppy.

This is in all things like the last, both for leaves, flowers, and seede, the chiefest difference in this from the for∣mer consisteth in the head with seede, which is longer then the other, smaller below then above, yet having•• little round head at the top, but no crowne, and is rough and hard like it.

3. Argemone Alpina lutea, Yellow mountaine bastard wilde Poppy.

The yellow outlandish mountaine bastard wilde Poppy, hath many smooth greene leaves, set on somewhat hairy long footestalkes, an handbredth long, which leaves are very much and finely cut on the edges, very like unto those of the Coriander leafed Crowfoote, from among which rise up divers bare or naked stalkes, yet hai∣ry withall, of halfe a foote high, at the toppes whereof stand one flower a peece, of a meane size, consisting of foure yellow leaves, with many whitish threds in the middle tipt with yellow, standing about a small round and rough head, like the former kinde, wherein is contained small blackish seede: the roote is small and long, and threddy at the end.

4. Argemone Cambro-Britanica lutea. Yellow wild Bastard Poppy of Wales.

This yellow Poppy, hath many winged large spreade leaves, lying upon the ground, that is, many leaves set to∣gether on each side of a middle rib, each divided leafe being somewhat deepely cut in, in some places of the edges, more then others, of a deepe, but faire greene colour: among these leaves rise up, divers branched stalkes two foote high, having some such leaves thereon, but smaller, at severall distances, and at the tops of the stalkes and branches, a faire yellow somewhat large flower, consisting of foure round leaves, with many yellow threds in the middle, standing about a long greene head in the middle, which when the flower is fallen, and the head ripe, is then larger then the former long headed wilde Poppy, but in the like manner smaller at the bottome and bigger at the toppe, with a small head thereon, containing much small blacke seed, lying within severall cels, in the same fashion that the other Poppies doe; the roote is long, and brownish on the outside, spreading into some branches, and divers small fibres thereat, which perisheth not every yeare, as the other sorts before specified doe.

The Place.

The two first are often found as well in Corne fields, in Summersetshire, Kent, and other Countries of this land, as in the corners and borders of fieldes, and by the way sides. The third was found upon Sueberg a hill in Austria, as also on some hils in Italy. The last groweth in many places of Wales, in the valleyes and fields, at the foote of the hils, and by the water sides, about a mile from a small village called Abbar, and in the midway from Den••igh to Guider, the house of a worthy Gentleman Sir Iohn Guin, as also neere a woodden bridge, that giveth passage ouer the River Dee, to a small village called Balam, which is in North-Wales, and in going up the hill that leades to Banghor, as also nere Anglesey in the way to the said Sir Iohn Guin his house.

The Time.

All of them doe flower about the end of Iune, and in Iuly, and the seed is ripe in August, in some places earlier; and in others later.

The Names.

It is called in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, quia argemas, id est, oculorum nubeculas tollit, in Latine also Argemone, after the Greeke word, Pliny in his 25. booke, and 9. Chapter calleth it Argemonia, and saith that they in his time made three sorts hereof, whereof the best was that, whose roote did smell like Francumsence, but in some places he maketh mention of foure sorts, as in his 21. book, & 23. chap. he saith, that Anemone is called Argemone, in his 24. book, & 19. chap. he saith that Lappa Canaria, whose roote smelleth of Francumsence, was called Argemone, and in his 26. book, & 6. chap. he saith Inguinaria was called Argemone: in former times our ordinary Agrim••ny was ta∣ken for Argemone, but now a daies all our moderne writers do agree, that our Argemone is the same that Dioscori∣des wrote of, notwithstanding that he giveth to it, a round roote which ours hath not; some copies have ano∣ther sort of Argemone, which most doe not hold right: the first of these is called by Lobel, Argemone capitulo torulis canulato, Bauhinus calleth it Argemone capitulo breviore, and thinketh it to be the same, that Lobel and Pena in their Adversaria, call Anemone minor Coriandri folio, flore Fulsatillae capitulis hirsutis, noc ut Papatur co∣rolla donatis: The second is called by Lobel Argemone capitulo longiore, as Bauhinus doth also, but he maketh it also to be the Anemone Narbonensis major corniculata of Lobel and Pena, in their Adversaria, when by the judge∣ment of the best, that Anemone of theirs, is Papaver corniculatum violaceum of Clusius, Dodonaeus and others, and doth much differ from this Argemone, both in bignesse and colour of the flower, and in the head of seede, that being much longer and smaller then this: Cordus in his History of Plants, and 46. Chapter, setteth this forth by the name of Argemone, which Gesner who set him forth knew not, because Cordus saith, it giveth a yellow juice like Celondine: The third is set forth by Pena in his Italian Baldus, and by Bauhinus, in his Prodromus and Pin••x, under two titles as two sorts, when as assuredly they are both but one: The last was found as I shewed you before in many places of Wales, by Lobel in his life time, and therefore entituled justly according to the Country.

The Vertues.

Dioscorides and Galen give unto this kinde of Poppie, a clensing qualitie and sharpe, that it is able to cleare the spots that happen in the eyes, and such mistes, filmes and cloudes, that grow in them to hinder the sight, as also to asswage any inflammations; but others say, that it helpeth the bloudy fluxe, the decoction thereof being made in water and drunke, as also if it be boyled in wipe and drunke, is a present remedy against the stinging or biting of any venemous b••ast, and that two drammes thereof taken in wine, wasteth the spleene that is swollen: being beaten while it is fresh, and applied to cuttes and wounds healeth them speedily: applied also to any member vexed with crampes or convulsions, to any sores, cankers, or fistulas, to any blacke and blew spots in the face, or on the eyes, by strokes or falles, doth helpe and heale them all: being bruised and applied with vinegar to the throat, healeth the quinsie, and applied to the place grieved with the gout taketh away the paine thereof quickly: being rubbed upon Wartes, it doth in a short time consume them, and take them away. There is no propertie remembred belonging to any of the two last sorts.

CHAP. XVI. Hypecoum. The Hypecoum of Dioscorides herbe.

ALthough Camerarius, Dodonaeus, Lobel, and others doe reckon this small plant as a species, or sort of wild Cumin, and have referred it to with them, yet I dare not so call it, because I doe not finde either the face, or outward resemblance there of, nor yet the temperature and qualities, to be any way answerable thereunto, but rather unto the Poppies, I have therefore thought it fittest to joyne it next unto them, and doe rather incline to the judgement of Clusius, to account this plant to be the true Hypeocum of Dioscorides: unto which I will also adjoyne another small plant, reckoned also by Lobel to be of the kindes of wild Cumin, which I must call another Hypeocum, in that it is so like unto the other: And let me crave leave with all to insert here, as in an extravagant place, that kinde of wild Cumin, which is so accounted of most Writers, as not having a fit place to set it alone, in regard it may not be joyned with the true Cumin, which must be intreated of among the umbellifers, and because this is in other Authors joyned with the former.

1. Hypecoum legitimum Clusij. The true Hypecoum of Dioscorides according to Clusius.

This small plant hath diverse long leaves lying on the ground, very much divided, and cut into many parts, of a pale or whitish greene colour, so like unto Fumiterry in the colour of the leaves, as also somewhat neere in the many divisions and parts thereof, that it will soone deceive one that doth but slightly regard it, but is smaller and thinner and more gentle in handling, yet is larger in Spaine than with us as Clusius recordeth; in the middle of them riseth up a stalke or two, with some leaves thereon, and divided towards the toppe into diverse bran∣ches; at the toppes whereof stand small yellow flowers, consisting of sixe leaves, two whereof are larger than the rest, and stand one opposite unto another, the rest being very small and scarse discerned, but when the flower is blowen open: after which doe arise long crooked flat huskes or cods full of joints, somewhat like unto the huskes of the Scorpioides of Matthiolus, but greater and longer: in the severall joints whereof lye severall square yel∣lowish seede, very hardly to be taken forth, and separated from the huskes or skinnes: the roote is small, and a little stringy, dying every yeare at the first approach of Winter, and is very hardly made to spring, but by an Autumne sowing▪ the taste of the plant is unpleasant.

2. Hypecoum alterum. Another Hypecoum.

This other sort (for so I make it) is very like unto the former, but that the leaves hereof are not so broad and long, being more finely divided, somewhat like unto the Seseli or Hartwort of Marseilles or wild Chervill; the stalkes are smooth, full of leaves and branches, whereat come forth yellow flowers made of five pointed leaves, and after them long pods, which hang downe and stand not upright: nor are crooked like the former, but joyn∣ted and with greater and yellow seedes within them, like unto those of Galega or Goates Rue.

3. Cuminum sylvestre. Wild Cumin.

Wild Cumin shooteth forth diverse long rough, or somewhat hard winged leaves, each whereof is finely den∣ted about the edges; from among which riseth up a slender weake bending stalke, divided at the toppe into many parts, each whereof hath a round whitish soft gentle, and woolly head or ball upon a small foote stalke, like unto those of the Plane tree heads or balls, wherein is con∣tained

[illustration]

1. Hypecoum legitimum Clusij. The true Hypecoum of Clusius.

small seedes: the roote is small and white and quickly perisheth, with the least blastes or dewes of cold nights, and seldome commeth to maturitie in our countrey, as I have often seene the experience my selfe.

The Place.

The two first groweth as well in Province, in the way to Arles, Mompelier, and other places in France, as in diverse Pro∣vinces of Spaine as Clusius saith: the other as Lobel saith, grow∣eth in the same places in France, that the former doth: the last he saith likewise groweth plentifully in Narbone about Aquas Sextias, and other places of France.

The Time.

All these flower with us, not untill the midst of Sommer, and give their seede late, but the last worst as I said, and seldome good although late.

The Names.

Dioscorides calleth an herbe in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hype∣coum and Hypopheum, for which the Latines have no other name Hypecoum, after the Greeke; yet there is great doubt amongst many, what plant should be the right, some thinking the Tha∣dictrum minus to be it, others thinking the Argemone minor of Tragus (which is the lesser Papaver Rhaeas) to be it: Mat∣thiolus (according to his manner, that whatsoever was obtruded unto him, and was not manifestly contradictory, was presently presented for right; no markes there of wan∣ting) maketh the Alcea vesicaria or Ʋeneta, which Lobel cal∣leth Peregrina Solisequa to be it, which I have set forth in my former Booke: And lastly Clusius, and from him Dodonaeaus propound this first plant, for the true Hypecoum of Dioscorides; Clusius affirming that of all the plants that he knew, there was not any that came nearer thereunto than this, unto whom I must also consent, for that neither the face nor the qualitie, as I

[illustration]

[illustration]

2 Hypecoum alterum. Another Hypecoum.

3. Cuminum sylvestre. Wild Cumin.

said before doth gainesay it. It is also by Matthiolus, and Castor Durantes who taketh it from him, as also by Camerarius, Lugdunensis, Tabermontanus and Lobel called Cuminum sylvestre alterum or siliquosum, and Ger••d Corniculatum; Clusius, as I said before, and after him Dodonaens and Camerarius, call it Hypecoum & legitimum, and so doth Bauhinus also, who quoteth Matthiolus in two places to call Caminum sylvestre alterum both Delphi•• and this, but he quoteth Gesner in hortis Germaniae to call it so likewise; when in that place Gesner his Hypecoum, is that of Matthiolus, which is the Aleaea vesicaria, and not this. Clusius saith that the Spaniards in the kingdome of Granado and Murciano doe call it Cadorija. The second is called Cuminum siliquosum alterum, Diosco∣ridis of Lobel and Pena, whom Lugdunensis doth imitate; of Tabermontanus Cuminuni sylvestre 3. and siliquosum minu. Bauhinus calleth it Hypecoi altera species, and so doe I, the face thereof so nearely agreeing unto the first. The last is called Cuminum sylvestre, and Dioscoridis primum of Matthiolus, and so of most Writers, but Globosum of Camerarius, and Capitulis globosis of Bauhinus. Bellonius in his observations saith, that in the Ile of Lemnos, they call it Lago'Chimeni, that is leporum cubile, which the inhabitants of Lemnos called at this day Stalimene, doe use in their meate in stead of Origanum which they want, for as he there saith, it hath both the smell and taste of Origa∣num; and for the likenesse, he there compareth the leaves with those of Yarrow, and the round heads to those of the Romane Nettle.

The Vertues.

The taste of the two first is as I said before unpleasant as that of the Poppies, and therefore of a temperature inclining to the propertie of Poppie, whereunto Dioscorides and Galen make Hypecoum to be like, there hath not beene any further experience made of either of the former plants, and therefore I can relate no more unto you of them: the last if it be the right wild Cumin of Dioscorides, as by Bellonius his relation here before set downe it may very well be, the seede is effectuall against the windinesse, either of the stomacke, or of the belly and bowells, which bringeth tormenting paines and swellings with it, being taken in wine, and expelleth the poyson of any venemous beastes: it is good for moist stomackes, that are troubled with raw crude humors: taken with vinegar, it stayeth the hickocke; and if it be applied with hony and raysins to the face, or any other place that is blacke or blew by stroakes and beatings, it will quickely take them away, and applied in the same manner to the cods when they are swollen, allayeth the swelling and taketh away the paine.

CHAP. XVII. Arum. Wake Robin or Cuckow-pinte.

VNto this common Arum or Wake-Robin (which groweth wilde in many ditches and drie bankes throughout all this kingdome, I must adde divers other sorts, which in most things are like thereun∣to, as also another much differing from all the rest, accounted the true Colocasio or Faba Aegypti••ca.

1. Arum vulgare non maculatum. Common Wake Robin without spots.

This Wake Robin shooteth forth three or foure or five leaves at the most from one roote, every one whereof is somewhat large, and long, broad at the botome next unto the stalke, and forked like unto a sorrell

leafe, but ending in a point, without dent or cut on the edges, of a sad or full greene colour, each standing upon a thicke round stalke, of an handbreadth long or more; among which after they have beene up two or three moneths and begin to wither, riseth up a bare naked round whitish greene stalke, somewhat spotted and straked with purple, like the stalke of Dragons, somewhat higher than the leaves; at the toppe whereof, standeth a long hollow hose or huske, close at the bottome, but open from the middle upwards, ending in a point; in the middle whereof standeth a small long pestle or clapper, smaller at the bottome than at the toppe, of a darke pur∣blish colour as the hose or huske is on the inside, though greene without, which after it hath so abiden for some time, the hose or huske decaieth, with the pestell or clapper, and the foote or bottome thereof groweth to be a small long bunch of berries, greene at the first, and each of them when they are ripe, of a yel∣lowish red colour, of the bignesse of an Hasell-nut kernell, which abide thereon almost untill Winter: the roote is round and somewhat long, not growing downe right, but for the most part lying along, the leaves shooting forth at the bigger end, which when it beareth his berries is somewhat wrinckled and loose, another being growen under it, which is solid and firme, with many fibres or small threds hanging thereat, which in the beginning of the yeare, when the leaves beginne to spring yeeldeth a milky sappe being broken or cut: the whole plant is of a very sharpe and biting taste, pricking the tongue upon the tasting, no lesse than Netles doe the hands, and so abideth for a great while without alteration; the roote with the sharpenesse hath a very strange clamminesse in it, stiffening linnen, or any other thing whereon it is laid, no lesse than starch: and in former dayes, when the making of our ordinary starch (which is made of the branne of wheate) was not knowen, or frequent in use, the finest dames used the rootes hereof, to starch their linnen, which would so sting, exasperate and choppe the skinne of their servants hands that used it, that they could scarse get them smooth and whole with all the nointing they could doe, before they should use it againe.

2. Arum vulgare maculatum. Spotted wake Robin.

This Arum is in all things like the former, but that the leaves hereof are somewhat harder in handling, smaller pointed and have some blackish spots thereon, like the spotted Arsemart, which for the most part abide in the Sommer longer greene then the former, and both leaves and rootes, are more sharpe and fierce then it.

3. Arum magnum rotundiore folio. Round leafed wake Robin.

This kinde hath somewhat larger leaves, then either of the former, and more round pointed, both at the end and at the bottome next to the stalke, having some white veines appearing in the leaves, and abiding greene longer in the Sommer, even almost untill Autumne, the hose or huske, with the pestell or clapper, are both of a pale whitish yellow colour, in which things this differeth from the other and in nothing else:* 1.14 Prosper Alpinus set∣teth fort an other sort found at the bottome of some of the Alpine hills, whose leaves and flowers differ little from the second sort, but the roote is round like unto the rootes of the round rooted Culcas:

4. Arum Byzantinum. Wake Robin of Constantinople.

This Arum of Constantinople, hath a reasonable great thicke roote, of an hand breaddth long, or there abouts, having many small round heades, breaking forth on all sides thereof, from whence come forth many fresh greene leaves, very like unto the two first sorts of Arum, some whereof will be spotted with small blacke spots, others not having any at all; from among which riseth up a stalke, having such a like hose or hood, as the Arum hath, and a pestle therein which are of a purplish colour in those that have spotted leaves, and white in those

[illustration]

1. 2. Arum vulgare macu'actum & non maculatum. Spotted and unspotted Wake Robin.

4. Arum Byzantinum. Wake Robin of Constantinople.

[illustration]

5. Arisarum latifolium. Broad leafed Fryers coule.

6. Arisarum longifolium. Long or narrow leafed Fryers coule.

7. Arum Aegyptium rotunda & longa radice vulgo Colocassia dicta. The Egyptian Culcas or wake Robin with a rounder and longer roote.

Faba Aegyptia fructus. The fruite of the Egyptian Beane.

that have no spots, the leaves likewise of those that have spots, spring up for the most part before Winter, and the other not untill the Spring, there hath not any fruite beene observed in this, by any that I can under∣stand.

5. Arisarum latifolium. Broad leafed Fryers Coule.

The Broad leafed Arisarum groweth in all things like unto the Arum, having divers faire greene leaves, whose middle rib on the upperside, as also some other of the veines are white sometimes, and somewhat thicker and rounder poluted then the Arum, the middle stalke bearing the flower (which is a crooked or bending hose at the top, with a small crooked whitish pestell in the middle, rinsing out of it,) is spotted with red spots, not rising fully so high as the leaves, which are nothing so sharpe in taste, as those of the Wake Robin, and doe alwayes spring up in the end of Autumne, abiding greene all the Winter: after the huske or flower is past, and the greene leaves withered and gone, which will be in the Summer, then the berryes doe appeare on the toppes of the stalkes, greene at the first, and of a yellowish red when they are ripe, which abide untill the frosts cause them to wither, and the greene leaves begin to appeate: the roote is white and somewhat round, encreasing much by of sets.

6. Arisarum longifolium. Long or narrow leafed Fryers Coule.

The leaves of this Arisarum, are very narrow and long, not rising so high as the former, but rather lying on the ground, and doth more seldome beare any hose, which is whitish small and long, with a very long and small reddish pestell in the middle, like unto a long worme, scarse rising above the ground, the berryes that follow are white and not red, the roote is white and round, smaller then the former, encreasing by of sets, but not in so plentifull a manner.

7. Arum Aegyptium vulgo dictum Colocasia rotundibre & oblongiore radice. The Egyptian Culcas or Wake Robin with a rounder and longer roote.

This Egyptian plant, hath beene the subject of much controversie, among many worthy and learned writers, both of our and of former times, some applying it to the Faba Aegyptia of Dioscorides, whose huske conteining the fruite was called Cibarion, and whose roote was called Colocasia, and others refusing that opinion, call it simply Arum and Aegyptium, because it was a species or kinde of Arum, that is thought to bee naturall to Egypt, as also to other places, as you shall heare by and by, the description whereof is in this manner: It shooteth forth divers very large and whitish greene leaves, of the fashion of Arum, or Wake Robin leaves, poin∣ted at the ends, but somewhat rounder, each of them two foote long, and a foote and a halfe broad, not so thicke and sappy as they, but thinner and harder, like unto a thinne hard skinne full of veines, running every way, and refusing moisture, though they be laid in water, standing every one, on a very thicke stalke, nere five foote long in the said places, which is not set at the very division of the leafe into two parts, as the wake Robin is, but more toward the middle, somewhat like unto the water Lillies, the division of each leafe at the bottome, being some∣what rounder then those of Wake Robin: betweene these leaves after many yeares continuance in a place un∣stirred, there riseth up sometime but one stalke of flowers, and sometimes two or three, according to the age and encrease of the plant, the standing and keeping (for all these helpe to the fructifying thereof, for else it would not beare any shew of hose, or pestell, or flower, as many that not having seene any, have confidently set downe that it never beareth any) thereof in a large pot, or other such thing, and in a warme place and climate: each of these stalkes are much shorter, then those of the leaves, and beareth an open long huske at the top, in the middle whereof, riseth up for the most part three severall narrow huskes or hoses (and never one alone, as the Arum or Arisarum do) with every one their pestell or clapper in the middle of them, which is small, whitish and halfe a foote long, from the middle downwards bigger, and set round about with small whitish flowers, smelling very sweete, the lower most first flowring, and so by degrees upwards, which last not above three dayes, and from the middle upward bare or naked, ending in a small long point, after the flowers are all past, that lower part abideth, and beareth many berryes, like as the Arum and Arisarum doe, but much paler and smaller, the roote is great and bulbous, or rather tuberous, in some more round then in others, which are smaller and long with the roundnesse, as great as the roote of a great Squill or Sea Onion, (which I judge more properly, spea∣king thereof in my former booke to be a Sea Hyacinth) and one which Alpinus setteth forth in his Historia Aegyp∣tiaca, with great long creeping rootes like the Reede, reddish on the outside, and whitish within, having many bulbous or tuberous heads, shooting from all sides thereof, whereby it is encreased, and with many great fibres shooting therefrom into the ground.

8. Faba Aegyptia Dioscoridis & Theophrasti cujus radix Colocasia dicebatur. Dioscorides and Theophrastus their Egyptian Beane, whose roote was called Colocasia.

Because the Egyptian Arum, hath beene so much mistaken by many writers that have called it the true Colocasia of Dioscorides and Theophrastus; let me here shew you in this place, the description of the true Colocasia, that is the roote of the Egyptian Beane, as Dioscorides and Theophrastus have set it downe; to affront the false figure of Matthiolus his Egyptian Beane, as he set it forth in his comentaries upon Dioscorides, moulded from his owne imagination, and not from the sight of any plant growing in rerum natura, to make it answer the description, but hath failed chiefely in the fruite, which is not expressed like to the combe that waspes doe make, but farre differing as many have observed, and objected against him, although as he saith, Odoardus did shew it him at Trent, with many other rare plants, which he brought out of Syria and Egypt; the figure of the true fruite, Clusius hath set forth, in the 32. folio of his booke of exotickes or strange things, which was brought by Dutch Marriners from forraine parts unto Amsterdam, but was not then knowne where it grew (but since is knowne to be the Kingdome of Iava in the East-Indies) who was perswaded it might be the true fruite of their Egyptian Beane, unto whose judgement therein, both Bauhinus and Columna doe encline, and so doe I as you shall heare by and by more at large, but for brevities sake, I will draw both the descriptions thereof by Theophrastus and Dioscorides into one. The Beane of Egypt, which some call the Beane of Pontus saith Dioscorides, (but Theophrastus men∣tioneth neither Egypt nor Pontus, but onely calleth it a Beane) groweth in Lakes and standing waters (plenti∣fully in Egypt saith Dioscorides, which Theophrastus speaketh not of,) in Asia, that is in Syria and Cilicia, but there saith Theophrastus, it doth hardly perfect his fruite, but about Torona, in a Lake, in the Country of Calcidi∣cum, it commeth to perfection, and beareth very large leaves (like those of the butter-burre saith Dioscorides) the

stalke saith Dioscorides, is a cubite long, Theophrastus saith the longest is foure cubits high, of the bignesse of one finger, like unto a soft reede, but without joynts, it beareth a flower, twise as large as that of the Poppy (with double flowers, for so I enterpret in plenum caput, the words of Theophrastus) of the colour of the Rose, after which is past commeth a round head called Ciborion, or Cibottion, that is a small caske, (yet Athenaeus saith that a kinde of drinking cup was so called also, whose forme peradventure was like this fruite here expressed) not unlike to the comb which waspes do make, wherin is contained thirty cels at the most, and in every cel or division there∣of, groweth a Beane, whose toppe riseth higher then the cell wherein it is enclosed, whose kernell is bitter; which say they, the inhabitants thereabouts put into clay, and thrust downe to the bottome of the water, with long poales, that it may abide therein and thereby make their encrease: the roote is very thicke and great, like unto that of the Reede, but (Theophrastus addeth, which Dioscorides hath not) full of cruell prickes or thornes, and therefore saith he, the Crocodile refuseth to come nere it, least he should runne against the prickes thereof with his eyes, wherewith he cannot see well, and is called Colocasia as Dioscorides maketh mention, but not Theophrastus, which is used to be eaten either raw or otherwayes dressed, that is sodden or roasted, the Beanes faith Dioscorides are eaten while they are fresh and greene, but grow hard and blacke when they are old, being somewhat bigger then an ordinary Beane, which saith Dioscorides (Theophrastus making no mention of any qua∣lities, or vertues of them) have an astringent or binding faculty, and thereby profitable to the stomacke, and hel∣peth those that have the fluxe of the stomacke and belly, and the bloody flux, the meale or flower of them straw∣ed upon meate &c. or taken in broth: the huskes whereof saith he doth more good, being boyled in sweete wine, the middle part of the beane which is greene and bitter, being bruised and boyled in Rosewater, and dropped into the eares, easeth the paines of them. Thus farre Theophrastus and Dioscorides. Now the description of Clu∣sius his strange fruite is thus, as he setteth it downe. This fruite did resemble a very large Poppy head, cut off at the toppe: and consisted of a rough or wrinckled skinny substance; of a brownish colour somewhat light, whose circumference at the top was nine inches, and growing lesser and lesser by degrees, unto the stalkes, which as it seemed, did sustaine the flower, after which came this fruite, for there appeared certaine markes of the flow∣er, where it did abide: the upper part hereof was smooth and plaine, having 24 holes or cells therein, placed in a certaine order, like unto the combe of waspes; in every one whereof was one nut, like unto a small akorne, almost an inch long, and an inch thicke in compasse, whose toppe was browne, ending in a point, like as an akorne doth, the lower part having an hole or hollow place, where it should seeme the footestalke upheld it, while it was in its place, whose kernell was rancide or mouldy, thus farre Clusius. Let me here also bring in an eye witnesse or two, of this plants growing in the Ile of Iava, Dr. Iustus Heurnius, both Divine and Physition, for the Ducth factory in the Kingdome or Ile of Iava, sent into Holland a small booke or collection of certaine herbes, &c. growing in that country, with the vertues and uses, whereunto the naturals did apply the•• (which booke, as I understand by my good friends, D^r, Daniel Horinghooke, and D^r. William Parkins both English, is kept in the Vniversity Library at Leyden in a close cupbord having a glasse window before it, thorough which any one may reade so much thereof as lyeth open) at the end whereof is one by him set downe, under the name of Nymphaea glandifera thus described: the huske or cup (saith he) is rugged or full of wrinkles yet soft loose and spungye, like a Mushroome, and of a greene colour divided into twelve or fourteene cels (Clusius his figure here exhibited hath 24.) or places, in every one whereof is contained one fruite like unto an akorne of a blackish purple colour on the outside and very white within, the taste whereof is astringent and somewhat bitter with∣all, like akornes but rough and spongie: it groweth in Moorish places, and by rivers banckes: the leaves are wondrous great and like unto those of the Water Lilly, and so is the flower also of a very strong smell like unto the oyle of Aneseedes: thus farre Dr. Heurnius; whose description in my judgement is so punctuall to those of Dioscorides and Theophrastus aforesaid, the description of the roote onely wanting, that I shall not neede fur∣ther to comment upon it, every ones judgement though meane, I suppose being able by comparing to agree the parts: it is probable that Clusius having seene this booke and the figure hereof annexed to the description might soone pronounce it (as I doe here) to be the true Faba Aegyptia of the ancients: there is no mention made in that booke of Heurnius by what name the Iavaneses or Malayos doe call it. The other eye witnesse hereof is M. William Fincham an English Merchant, as he is recorded in M^r. Purchas his fourth booke of Pilgrimes, the 4. ch. Sect. 5. p. 429. that saith he often did eate of the fruite of a certaine herbe growing in a great Brooke or Lake, two or three courses or miles long on the North-West side of Fetipore, which is about twelve courses from Agra, in the dominions of the great Mogoll called Surrat or Guzurrat in the East-Indies, which the people call Can••∣chachery, describing it to be like a goblet, flat at the head conteining divers Nuts or akornes within it. I have here set downe these things, as well to show you mine owne observations after Clusius and others, that assured∣ly this is the true Faba Aegyptia of the ancients, as to provoke some of our nation to be as industrious, as the Hollanders by whose care in their travels, this was first made knowne to us, to search out such rare fruites as grow in the parts of their abode, and either communicate them to such as are experienced, or having penned them to publish their labours in Print, if it may be, which I hold the better, according to Mr. Finchams example, whose observations have given so great an illustration in this matter, as well as in other things, by me also remembred elsewhere in this worke.

The Place.

The two first are frequent enough in our owne Country. The third is found in some place of Germany. The fourth Clusius saith came among other rootes from Constantinople. The fift he also saith he found in Spaine and Portugall. The sixt in Italy, in divers places. The seaventh is not naturall to Egypt as I suppose, because it is not found to flower there, being planted for their onely use in meates which they seldome take without it but groweth in Candy naturally as Bellonius saith, and Portugall as Clusius reporteth, and in Italy also in many places, and in the Country of Salerne in the Kingdome of Naples as Columna reporteth it, as also in the Iland of Iava, where they use it as familiarly as in Egypt, and so recorded in the Hollanders Navigation thither, in Anno. 1595. The last as I said before in Iava and Surrat, and no doubt in sundry other places as Theophrastus remembreth, who therefore would not call it Aegyptia as Dioscorides doth, being not proper to Egypt, where for many ages past it hath not beene known to grow now at all, but assuredly if it were a naturall of Egypt, it cannot be quite extirpate, and might by good search be there found againe, if men industrious and of knowledg were employed thereabouts.

The Time.

The foure first sorts shoote forth leaves, in the Spring, and continue but untill the middle of Sommer, or some∣what latter, their hoses or huskes appearing before they fall away, and their fruit shewing in August. The fifth and sixt as I said, doe shoote forth their greene leaves in Autumne, presentlyy after the first frosts have pulled downe the stalkes with fruits, and abide greene all the Winter withering in Sommer, before which their huskes appeare: The seventh flowreth with his hose and clappers very late, even in the warme countries, seldome be∣fore October or November, and the fruit doth there seldome come to perfection: the last (as may be gathe∣red by the relation thereof) flowreth and beareth fruit in the Sommer time as other herbes doe.

The Names.

It is called in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and in Latine Arum, and some Pes vituli, because the leafe doth somewhat re∣semble a Calves foote; some also Dracontea minor, and Serpentaria minor: others againe from the figure of the pestle or clapper in the middle of the hose, call it Sacerdotis penes, and canis priapus. Simon Ianvensis calleth it Aron and Barba Aron; the Syrians as Dioscorides saith call it Lupha: it is called of the Arabians Iarus and Sara, and after them diverse Apothecaries beyond the seas in their shops: In Italian Aro, Giaro, Gigaro and Balaazon as Durantes saith; In Spanish Yaro, in French Pied de vean, & vid or vit de prestre & vit de chien, in high Dutch Pfaffenpint: in Low Dutch calfs voet; in English Wake Robin, Cuckowes pintle Priests pintle, Rampe, Buckrams, and of some Starch-wort. Caesalpinus calleth it with spotted leaves, Gicherum or Gigarum after the Italian name, when as all o∣thers agree in the name of Arum, with the distinction of maculis albis and nigris, as the kind or sort is; yet the third is called by Lobel Arum majus Ʋeronense, and by Bauhinus Arum venis albis, and by Dalechampius upon Pliny Calla primum genus Plinij. Cordus in historia plantarū calleth it Dracunculus henicophyllos, and as he saith is the same that Matthiolus calleth Dracunculus major Clusius calleth the fourth Byzantium, & it is most probable, it is the same with Matthiolus his Arum aliud minus with many small rootes, which he saith he received from Calzolarius of Ʋerona, and thought it grew upon Mount Baldus, because he had sent him many plants that grew there: but because this is not mentioned in all the description of Mount Baldus, it is more likely that Calzolarius, had it from Constantinople, or some other place in Turkie, and sent it him as a raritie. The fift & sixt are called Arisarum or Aris as Pliny saith, and distinguished by the titles of latifolium and angustifolium. The Spaniards call it Frailillos, that is little Friers, because the hose doth represent the forme of a Friers Cowle: the latifolium Dalechampius upon Pliny calleth Calla alterū genus Plinij, yet Tragus thinketh that this Arisarū, should be more properly the Arum of Dios∣corides, which is usually eaten, for our Arum is so hot and sharpe, that it is not to be endured, whereunto some others doe reply and say, that the Arum of the hotter countries is more mild, and yet the same in specie: The seventh is called by the Spaniards Manta de nuestra senora from the largenesse of the leaves, and diversely by divers late Latine Writers, some as I said contesting earnestly, that it is the Faba Egyptia, and Colocasia of Dioscorides, or Colocasion of Nicandar, others flatly denying it and calling it Arum Aegyptium, which terme Pliny useth, but it is not knowne from whom he had it: those that hold and maintaine the former opinion, are Bellonius, Alpinus, Camerarius, Lugdunensis, and lastly Clusius, who doe all conclude, that this plant which the Egyptians call Culcas, can be no other plant then the Faba Egyptia of Dioscorides and Theophrastus, although it beare neither flower not fruit, and thereupon doe much suspect the truth of their descriptions, because there was never heard or found (as they say) any other that did answer in all things unto their descriptions, and that this did most nearely approach thereunto, both for that the name of Culcas, so nearely drawing to the Greeke name Colocasia, and was so antient∣ly continued among those Nations of Egypt, Syria, Arabia and Affricke, and that the daily use of the roote to be dressed or eaten raw, for their food and meate as they said their Faba was; but the fruit or nuts was their foode and not the rootes, time having inverted both name and use: it is also called Talusse by the inhabitants of Iava (but Lalade in the Malaia tongue) which soundeth somewhat neere Culcas as it is recorded in the Dutch Na∣vigation thither in Anno 1595. before spoken of, where it is said also to beare neither flower nor fruit; but those that hold the contrary opinion that it is but Arum Aegyptium, and not the true Colocasia, although commonly so called, are Anguillara, Guillandinus, Maranta, Causabonus, Matthiolus, Gesner in hortis Germaniae, Dodonaeus, Lobel, and Columna, who have all of them in their times testified it, most of them having seene the flower or fruit, or both, that it beareth; which plainely declareth it to be a kind of Arum, and that it is not the Faba Aegyptia, whose roote was called Colocasia: but Fabius Columna lastly and most fully to the purpose, doth shew the truth, setting forth the description of this Arum Aegyptium, amply in every part to beare leaves, flowers, hose or huske with a pestle or clapper therein, and berries afterwards, agreeing in all those parts to the vulgar Arum and Arisarum, although somewhat in a different manner, as every species of a Genus doth; and with all doth defend the veritie of Dioscorides and Theophrastus descriptions thereof, against all gainesayers, wondering that so many learned men should not discerne the truth, but be led away so grossely into errour, against so plaine declarations; that they make of the plant and every part thereof, that is of roote, stalke, leafe, flowers and fruit: the roote to be like the roote of the Reede, but greater and not bulbous like the Arum, to be armed with prickles or thornes, when as the roote of this Arum, or supposed Colocasia is not so, then that it beareth a stalke a cubite or more high, which this doth not, and that it carrieth a flower thereon, bigger than that of the Poppie, and of a Rose colour, which this hath no resemblance thereunto; and lastly that it beareth a head like a Waspes combe, with many cells or divisions therein, in every one wherof groweth a fruit or nut, begger than an ordinary Beane, where∣unto this Arum hath no likenes; I might adde also the name of the head called Ciborion, or Cibotion, which as I said signifieth a small casket, from the similitude of the places, wherein the fruit standeth, as also from the forme of the head with the fruit, like unto a drinking cuppe, used among the ancient Graecians; as also the fruite or Beane it selfe, so notably knowne to all the Nations, both Greekes and others, that it was as a standard for a certaine weight, whose true proportion was certainely knowne, and constantly maintained: the place also of the grow∣ing, being in the waters, is differing from that of Arum, the vertues and qualities as different from it, all which I have therefore shewed you, that every one may plainely see the truth, and hereafter be better perswaded, if they have erred in their opinion and judgement. And to shew the originall of this errour, as it is most probable: first I may say that the revolution of time, which bringeth on with it many slippes and errours, hath beene the cause thereof, which therefore wise men and judicious, must still be carefull to finde out and reforme: Bellonius in the 28. Chapter of his second Booke of Observations, thinketh that Herodotus was the first, that was the

cause of that errour, but I verily suppose it to be more antient, for Dioscorides saith in his Chapter of Arum, among the diverse names thereof, that those of Cyprus did call Arum by the name of Colocasion, and therefore it is most probable that diverse Nations, eating the rootes of this Arum, as well as the rest, which were not hot and sharpe in taste, in those countries, as they are in these colder, did from the Cyprians call it Colocasia, because the roote of the Egyptian Beane, being also called Colocasia, was boyled and eaten as those of Arum were: and thus this er∣rour spreading, and the use of them encreasing by being peradventure, both more plentifull, to be had by en∣crease, and more acceptable to the taste, than the fruite of the Egyptian Beane, it became of lesse esteeme, and in time to be so much neglected, that it was no more looked after and planted, whereby it became to be utterly unknowne at the last, and the name Culcas, was still maintained and imposed on those rootes of Arum, as if they had beene the rootes of the Egyptian Beane. Thus much I thought good out of my simple judgement to declare, which if it doe not agree with truth and reason, I submit it to those that can bring better.

The Ʋertues.

Tragus reporteth that a dramme weight, or more if neede be, of the roote of that Wake Robin, that hath spot∣ted leaves, whether it be fresh and greene, or dried it mattereth not; being bruised or beaten and taken, is a most present remedy never failing against both poyson and plague: some he saith, take as much A••dromac•• Treakle with it, for the more certaintie: the juyce of the herbe taken, to the quantitie of a spoonefull or more, worketh the same effect: but if there be a little vinegar added thereunto, as well as to the roote before spoken of, it will somewhat allay that sharpe biting taste upon the tongue, which it causeth; the greene leaves likewise being bruised and laid upon any boyle or plague sore, doth wonderfully helpe to draw forth the poyson: the pouder of the dried roote of Wake Robin, to the weight of a dramme, taken with twise as much Sugar, in the forme of a Lohoc or licking Electuary, or the greene roote, doth wonderfully helpe those that are pursie or short∣winded, as also those that have the cough, having their stomacke, chest, and longs, stuffed with much flegme, for it breaketh and digesteth it in them, and causeth it to be easily avoided and spit forth: the milke wherein the roote hath beene boyled, is effectuall also for the same purpose: the said pouder taken in wine or drinke, or the juyce of the berries, or the pouder of them, or the wine wherein they have beene boyled provoketh ••urine, and bringeth downe womens courses when they are stayed, and purgeth them effectually after child bea∣ring, to bring away the afterbirth; it is said that it expelleth drunkennesse also; taken with sheepes milke, it healeth the inward ulcers of the bowells; the distilled water hereof likewise is effectuall, to all the purposes aforesaid; and moreover a spoonefull taken at a time, healeth the itch; and an ounce or more taken at a time for some dayes together, doth helpe the rupture: the leaves either greene or drie or the juyce of them, doth clense all manner of rotten and filthy ulcers, of what part of the body soever they be, and the stinking sores in the nose called Polypus and healeth them also: the water wherein the roote hath beene boyled, dropped into the eyes, clenseth them from any filme or skinne beginning to grow over them, or clouds or mistes that may hinder the sight, and helpeth also the watering and rednesse of them, and when by chance they become blacke and blew: the roote mixed with Beane flower, and applied to the throat or jawes that are in∣flamed, helpeth them: the juice of the berries boyled in oyle of Roses, or the berries themselves made into pouder, and mixed with the oyle and dropped into the eares, easeth the paines in them: the berries or the rootes beaten with hot oxe dung, and applied to the gout, easeth the paines thereof: the leaves and rootes also boyled in wine with a little oyle, and applied to the piles, or the falling downe of the fundament easeth them, and so doth the sitting over the hot fumes thereof: the fresh rootes bruised and distilled with a little milke, yeel∣deth a most soveraigne water to clense the skinne from scurfe, freckles, spots, or blemishes whatsoever therein: yet some use the rootes themselves bruised and mixed with vinegar, but that is too sharpe, and not to be used but when there is great neede, and with good caution, and not to abide long upon any place: there is a facula made by art from the fresh rootes, called Gersa serpentaria, which is as white as Starch or Ceruse, and being dissolved in milke, or in the distilled water, of the rootes and milke aforesaid, doth wonderfully blanch the skinne, hiding many deformities: the fresh rootes cut small and mixed with a sallet of white Endive or Lettice, &c. is an ex∣cellent dish to entertaine a smell-feast, or unbidden unwelcome guest to a mans table, to make sport with him, and drive him from his too much boldnesse; or the pouder of the dried roote, strawed upon any daintie bit of meate, that may be given him to eate; for either way, within a while after the taking of it, it will so burne and pricke his mouth and throate, that he shall not be able either to eate a bit more, or scarse to speake for paine, and will so abide untill there be some new milke or fresh butter given, which by little and little, will take away the heate and pricking, and restore him againe. Some use to lay the greene leaves of Wake Robin among their Cheeses, both to keepe them from breeding wormes, and to ridde them also being in them. The Arisarum or Friers Coule, as Dioscorides and Galen affirme, is farre hotter, and sharpe or biting in taste, than Arum or Wake Robin, which is not so found in any part of Europe, whether Jtaly or Spaine, France, Germany or England, that I know, both hot and cold countries, but in all of them much milder and weaker than the Arum (which caused Tragus as I said before, to suspect that our Arum, was the Arisarum of the antients) and therefore they appoint it, to be laid to eating, fretting, and running sores, to stay their spreading, and abate their malignitie, as also to be put into fistulas and hollow ulcers, to helpe to clense and heale them up; a peece of the roote, put into the secret parts of any femall creature, killeth them causing them to die quickly; which thing is contradicted by some, and said to be utterly untrue. Amatus Lusitanus writeth, that in the Low Countries it was used against the plague, whereof Clusius saith, it was not knowne unto his countrie men, untill he had travelled into Spaine and Portugall, and from thence gave them the knowledge thereof, by sending it unto them: but it may be hee mistooke Arisarum, for Arum, which as you may see before, is found effectuall for that purpose. The Arum of Egypt as it is milder in taste, although somewhat sharpe and bitter and slimie in eating, so it is lesse effectuall in medicine, because it is more usuall in meate. All the East countries which the Italians call the Levant, as Asia, Syria, Arabia, Egypt, &c. and Iava also, and other places in the Indies as you heard before doe most frequently eate the rootes hereof boiled in the broth of flesh, and many other wayes dressed, not onely as a daily foode, but as they thinke, to encrease naturall sperme or seede, and to cause a validitie also, and more powerfull abilitie in the act of generation.

CHAP. XVIII. Christophoriana. Herbe Christopher.

BEsides the usuall sort of herbe Christopher, which hath beene knowne of a long time to us, we have late∣ly gained an other sort as we suppose, the neare resemblance in face causing us so to imagine.

1. Christophoriana vulgaris. Ordinary herbe Christopher.

Herbe Christopher shooteth forth divese greene stalkes of leaves, halfe a foote long, which are made into three parts, yet some times into five, the lower parts standing for the most part one against another, or not much distant, and the other at the end of the stalke, each of these parts consist of three leaves separate a sunder, with small foote stalkes unto them, which are somewhat broad, and ending in a point, some of them cut in on the edges more deepely, and all of them dented about the edges, of a sad greene colour; among these leaves rise up diverse somewhat weake, smooth, round stalkes, halfe a yard or two foote high, yet not bending but standing upright, having three or foure such like leaves thereon, as grew below, but with shorter stalkes: at the toppes of the stalkes stand a tuft or bush of white flowers, every one consisting of five small leaves, with many whitish threds in the middle; and after they are fallen come small round berries, greene at the first, and blacke when they are ripe: the roote is blacke without, and a little yellowish within, and somewhat thicke with di∣verse blackish strings, or great fibres annexed thereunto, which perisheth not, although the stalkes and leaves doe die downe every yeare, fresh springing up againe.

2. Christophoriana Americana baccis niveis & rubris. Herbe Christopher of America.

This stranger shooteth forth in the Spring many reddish stalkes about a foote high with diverse leaves thereon, divided into many parts somewhat resembling the former, but larger, rougher, and of a sadder greene colour, at the toppes, whereof standeth a large tuft of white flowers composed in a manner wholly of threds, yet if they be more neerely vewed, there will appeare for every flower sixe small white leaves with their threds in the middle, compassing a round greene button, which comming to maturitie is either white with a purple tippe and foote stalke, or reddish wholly: the roote is blacke, thicke, short and crooked, not growing downewards nor creeping: but with many fibres thereat.

The Place.

The first groweth generally in the woods of mountaines, that are somewhat open and not too much shadowed, and other like places, as well in our owne as other countries. The other both in our Plantations, and the French in America.

The Time.

They flower after Midsomer, and the berries are ripe in August.

[illustration]

Christophoriana vulgaris. Ordinary herbe Christopher.

Christophoriana Americana. Herbe Christopher of America.

The Names.

It hath no Greeke, or scarse any good Latin name, although commonly with most, it be called Christophoriana or herba sancti Christophori, but for what cause and respect I cannot learne, and many do doubt of the Saints name thinking it but composed as relative, bearing Christ according to the morall of the story, and not essentiall and in∣deede: Some call it as Lugdunensis saith Napellus leucanthemos, and some Aconitum bacciferum. Lugdunensis saith, it is called with them Napellus racemosus, and so with Marantha as Camerarius saith, some againe call it Costus niger, Pena and Lobel make a doubt whether it be nor Actaea of Pliny, in his 27. Booke and 7. Chapter, be∣cause his Actaea beareth blacke berries like Ivie: but diverse good and judicious Herbarists, doe rather take Actea to be Ebulus, for this hath no rough stalke as Actaea hath, but a smooth; and Paulus Aegineta interpreteth the roote of Actaea, to be the roote of Sambucus; Bauhinus calleth it Aconitum racemosum, and seemeth to leane to Lobel his opinion, whether it be not Pliny his Actaea or no. Some also doe call Scrophularia by this name of herbe Christopher. Camerarius saith it is called in high Dutch Wolfs worts, when as Tragus and others say, the Aconi∣tum Lycoctonum, that is Luparia or Lupicida is so called also with them. Camerarius saith also it is called with them Christoffels kraut, But Tragus saith that a kind of Vetch or Pulse, which he thinketh is the Aracus of Diosco∣rides, is called with them Sant Christoffels kraut: The other is called by Iacobus Coruntus in his Canadensium plan∣tarum historia Panaces 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sive racemosum Canadense: but why Panax being no wound herbe, I see no cause unlesse it were for want of a bettername: but I thinke I have entituled it more truely, I am sure more nearely resembling this herbe, than any Panax that I know.

The Ʋertues.

The Inhabitans of all the mountaines and places, wheresoever the first groweth as some Writers say, doe ge∣nerally hold it to be a most dangerous and deadly poison, both to men and beast, and that they use to kill Wolves herewith very speedily; it must therefore be cautelously used, or rather utterly refused: but I much doubt whether those Mountainers meane not rather that Aconitum Lycoctomum called Lupicida; and although many good Au∣thours hold it dangerous, yet cannot I in my judgement so thinke, not finding herein by the taste any pernitious qualitie; but I cannot learne what helpe this hath procured to any: Cornutus saith of his Panuces Carpimon, that it is eaten familiarly both with the naturalls, and French inhabitants with them as a sallet herbe.

CHAP. XIX. Clematites. Climers or Clamberers.

THere are diverse sorts of Climers or Clamberers, most of which are sharpe hot and causticke, or ex∣ulcerating the skinne, if they lie any little time thereon, and thereby dangerous, although not dead∣ly; diverse of them have beene declared in my former Booke, whereunto I referre them that would be enformed of them, yet I thinke it not amisse to let you see some of their figures, the descrip∣tions of the rest shall follow.

1. Clematis sylvestris latifolia sive Ʋiorna. The great wild Climer or Gerards Travellers Joy.

This wild Climer or Travellers joy, as some call it, hath in some places (especially if it have stood long in a place) a thicke and strong ragged wooddie stemme or trunke, with diverse chops or riftes in the barke, which is of a grayish colour, from whence shoote forth many long pliant grayish greene branches, more strong and wood∣die, than any of the other Climers, (so that their branches doe in many places serve as withes, to winde about garden and field gates, or to binde any bundle together,) these branches spread upon the hedges or trees, whatso∣ever it standeth next unto, dividing it selfe into many other twigges, whereon are set at the severall joynts, two long stalkes of winged leaves, consisting of five leaves, two and two together, and one at the end, each dented on the sides, with small notches, of a pale greene colour, and tasting sharpe and hot, biting upon the tongue, but not so much as the burning Climer or Virgins bower; these branches winde themselves about any thing, standeth neare unto them for a great way, but have no clasping tendrells, like the Vine, to take hold and winde it selfe thereby, as Gerard saith it hath, so farre as ever I could observe: at the joynts where the leaves stand, come forth likewise towards the toppes of the branches, diverse bunches or tufts of white flowers, set to∣gether upon small long foote stalkes, with diverse yellow threds in the middle, smelling very sweete; and after they are past, there arise in their places severall heads of many long hoary silver-like plumes, as if they were feathers set together, with a brownish flat seede at the bottome of every of them, which abide a great while, even to the Winter, before they fall off, or are blowen away with the winde: The roote ir great thicke, and some∣what woddy, dispersing it selfe into diverse long branches under ground: the leaves fall away in the Winter, and recover againe in the Spring.

2. Clamati••s sylvestris altera Boetica. The great Spanish wild Climer.

This other wilde Climer hath such like running or climing branches, but spreading farther with many joynts all the length thereof, whereat stand round about it diverse hard and somewhat broad leave, each by it selfe upon a small footestalke, and dented round about the edges, of as sharpe and hot taste as the former, where also come forth two claspers on each side, whereby it catcheth fast hold of any thing standeth in the way neare unto it: from the joynts likewise where the leaves stand, come forth (the flowers were not observed) long tufts or heads, in the same manner that the former hath, with the like plumed feathers, of a hoary white colour, with smaller seede below them, then the other.

3. Clematis Cruciat•• Alpina. The crosse Climer of the Alpes.

This Crossewort Climer hath any slender and more square branches, than any of the other Climers, some∣what hard and wooddy, rising to be foure or five foote high, standing for the most part upright, or but leaning a little downewards, from whence shoote forth many small twigges, not past foure inches long, whereon are set at equall distances, two small stakes of leaves, all the length of the twigges, three joyned alwayes together at the ends of them, each whereof is hard rough and full of vaines, of a sad greene colour, of the bignesse of a large Mirtle leafe, or bigger, dented thicke round about the edges; the flowets come forth single, every one upon

[illustration]

[illustration]

Ʋines pervinca vulgaris. Common Periwinc••le.

Clematis Daphnoides latifolia s•• Vinca pervinca major. The greater Periwinckle.

Clematis urens flore albo. The burning Climer or Virgins Bower.

Clematis peregrina flore rubro vel purpureo si••plex. Single Ladies bower red or purple.

[illustration]

Clematis peregrina flore pleno. Double purple Ladyes Bower.

F••mmata Io••is s••r••ecta. Vpright Ʋirginia Bower.

Clematis Panonica minor. The lesser Hungarian Climer.

Clematis Panonica Clusij major. The greater Hungarian Climer.

a slender long foote stalke, consisting of foure woolly and

[illustration]

1. Clematis sylvestris latifolia sive Viorna. The great wild Climer or Travellers sive.

2. Clematis sylvestris altera Boetica. The great Spanish wild Climer.

3. Clematis Cru••i••ta Alpina. The lesser Climer of the Alpes.

pointed leaves, laid open like unto a crosse, of a blush white colour, having in the middle thereof, many small whiter leaves foulded together: the roote spreadeth very much under ground, which hath but very small acrimonie therein, or none at all, but the leaves are somewhat sharpe and hot in taste.

4. Clematis maritima repens. The creeping fiery Sea Climer.

This creeping Sea Clematis, spreadeth abroad many creeping pliant, joynted and crested branches, about two foote long, covered with a very darke greene barke, from whence shoote forth many winged leaves, a little dented about the edges, very like unto the Clematis erecta, or Flamula Iovis, the upright Virgins Bower, consisting of five leaves, but most commonly of three upon a stalke, being narrower, harder and longer pointed: at the ends whereof commeth forth, a small clasping tendrell, but those that grow up higher upon the stalkes, and nearer unto the toppes, where the flowers doe stand, are much smaller and narrower: the flowers come forth many toge∣ther, as in the other, set upon long foote stalkes, which are white with many hairy threds in the middle of them: and after they are past, arise many round flat reddish seede, smaller than the other, three or foure upon a stalke toge∣ther, plumed with a white feather, at the head of every of them: the whole plant is sharpe and hot like unto the other.

The Place.

The first groweth in many places of our owne land, in the hedges of fields, & by the high wayes side, in Bucking∣hamshire, Bedfordshire, and Essex, but especially in Kent, where from beyond Woolwich to Gravesend, and from Gravesend along to Canterbury, you may see it in many

places. The second Clusius onely found in Spaine, betweene Medina Sidonia and Calpe, and in divers pla•• thereof. The third was found upon mount Baldus, by Iungermanus as Bauhinus saith, but is set downe by Iohannes Pona, an Apothecarie of Verona, in his description thereof which he sent unto Clusius, that first pub∣lished and set it forth at the end of his history of plants, and was augmented afterwards by Pona himselfe, and set forth first in Latine, and after that againe enlarged with many additions and set forth in Italian by his some; yet Bauhinus saith it was found also very plentifully, both fairer and greater by Doctor Burserus, upon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Austria: The last Bauhinus saith, groweth in many places of the Adriaticke sea shore, and in those Ilands of the Venetians there, called Lio, and Litzefusina.

The Time.

They doe all flower about Iuly, and the feather like toppes of the crested ones, appeare in some places all the winter.

The Names.

They are called Clematides of their climing and spreading branches. The first Bauhinus calleth Clematitis syl-Vestris latifolia, and so doe I also. Lobel and Gerard call it Ʋiorna, quasi vias ornans, which Latine word I thinke was but derived from the French Ʋiorne, or the French from the Latine: Bellonius saith, it is Ʋiburnum Gallor••, (and Ruellius I thinke tooke it from him ore converso.) as if the French Ʋiorne were derived from Vibu•• whereof Ʋirgil speaketh in these words.

Verum hoc tantum alias inter caput extulit urbes, Quantum lenta solent inter Viburna Cupressus.

Wherein he compareth the statelines of Rome to the Cypresse tree, and the meanesse of other Cities to the low shrubb. Viburnum: but so it is not likely to bee, seing this Viorna will rise to the top of the tallest Cypresse it selfe, if it be planted nigh it whereon it may clime; that Virgil his comparison therefore may hold good we must find Viburnum to be a low shrub much differing from this, as you shall heare in his place: Fuschius thought it to be Vitis nigra, Dodonaeus calleth it Vitalba, Anguillara judged it to be Atragene Theophrasti, whereof he maketh men∣tion in lib. 5. c. 10. whereunto Clusius doth consent as being the most likely of any other plant, and Pena and Lo∣bel doe not dissent therefrom, neither doe I for the reasons there shewed: it is also the Vitis sylvestris of Pliny whereof he speaketh in his 16. Booke and fourth Chapter, and the Clematis tertia of Matthiolus, the Vitis sylvestris caustica, of Gesner in hortis Gemarniae the Vitis sylvestris Dioscoridis of Anguillara, and the Clem••tis altera prima of Cordus upon Dioscorides: the Italians call it Vitalba, the Germans Linen and Lijnen, the Dutch Ly••, and in English of most country people where it groweth Honestie; and the Gentlewomen call it Love, but Ge∣rard coyned that name of the Travelours joy. The second Clusius calleth Clematis altera Baetica, and Bauhinus that he might vary therefrom, Clematis peregrina foliis pyri incisis: The third is set forth by Pona under the title of Clematis Cruciata Alpina, but Bauhinus to alter the title, calleth it Clematis Alpina Gerani folia: the last Bau∣hinus calleth Clematis maritima repens, as it is in my title and describing it in his Pinax, referreth it to Anguillar•• his Clematites.

The Vertues.

None of these here described are used in Physicke, by any that I know, for although they are all hot and sharpe in tast, some more or lesse then others, yet are they not applyed to the purposes that the other sorts are, which Dioscorides and Galen speak of: both these and the other Climers whose figure I give you here, and their description in my former booke may very well serve to make Arbours, in Gardens, Orchards, or other places for pleasure, for thereunto they are most fit, if any will so respect as to plant them. The other Climers serve to take away the scurfe, lepry, or other deformities of the skinne: but may not safely be used inwardly, although Dioscorides, Galen, Pliny, and others say it was used to purge the waters in the Dropsie: Matthiolus saith the wa∣ter of the upright Virgins Bower is effectuall in any cold greefes, and that some gave the leaves prepared to helpe the quartane Ague: an oyle made thereof is used to heale those that have aches, crampes, and other paines that come by cold, as also to helpe the stone and to provoke urine: the Periwincle is a great binder staying bleeding, both at the nose and mouth if some of the leaves be chewed, the French doe use it to stay the menstruall courses. Dioscorides, Galen, and Aegineta commend it against the laske and fluxes of the belly to bee drunke with wine: it is a tradition received with many, that a wreath made hereof and worne about the legs defendeth them from the crampe. The Maracoc or Virginia Climer, although I have placed it among them for the manner of growing, yet is it of a farre differing quality, the liquor within the fruite is very pleasant to the taste, as if Muske or Am∣ber were mixed with it, or as others say, having a little aciditie with it, so that it cloyeth not the stomack al∣though one take much thereof, nor giveth any bad symptome, but is held rather to move the belly downewards and make it soluble. Aldinus in his Farnesian Garden hath set downe many vertues thereof rather in an hyperbole I think then in verity, which I thinke were rather others fantasies then of his owne approbation: for in his owne judgement and tryall he saith the leaves are of a sleepie property, smelling like unto Nightshade, having with∣all peradventure some deleteriall or deadly quality in them also, because (as he observed) that flies resting on them were extinguished or kild.

CHAP. XX. Apocynum sive Periploca. Dogs bane.

THere are three sorts of this Apocynum or Dogs bane differing chiefely in the climing, and in the forme of their leaves, and are dangerous to man and beast, but there are some other plants referred unto them, as well for their face and forme of growing and giving of milke, as for their violent and dange∣rous qualities, I have spoken of that kind that came out of Virginia in my former booke, whereunto I must refer them for the description that are desirous to see it.

1. Apocinum latifolium non repens. Broad leafed or upright Dogs bane.

This broad leafed or upright Dogs bane, a wooddy stemme of the bignesse of ones finger, covered with a gray∣ish

barke, from whence arise divers wooddy, but flexible greenish branches, easie to winde, but very tough & hard to breake, standing for the most part upright, and seldome trayling or laying hold of any thing that groweth neare it, having two broad darke greene leaves, but sharpe and not round at the points, set at every joynt all along, but not very neare one unto another, full of veynes, somewhat softer then Ivie leaves, somewhat thicke also, whose stalkes and branches being broken yeeld a pale yellow coloured milke; but as Dioscorides and other wri∣ters say, of a much deeper yellow, that is, in the warmer Countries; the flowers come forth at the joynts with the leaves, and at the tops three or foure or more sometimes standing together; which consist of five small poin∣ted leaves, of a whitish colour, yet larger then those of Asclepias or Swallowe wor••; after which (in the hot∣ter Climats, but never in ours that could be observed) grow long crooked and pointed cods, somewhat more hard and wooddy then those of Asclepias, although nothing so much as those of the Rose bay tree, called Oleander, most usually two standing together upon one stalke, but severed at the setting to the stalke, and are full of a sil∣ken white downe, wherein lye dispersed many flat blackish browne seedes: the roote groweth downe into the ground spreading into sundry branches, with divers small fibres thereat, this looseth not his branches, but leaves every yeare, new shooting forth every spring.

2. Apocynum angustifolium sive repens. Climing Dogs bane.

The climing Dogs bane sendeth forth from the roote divers wooddy branches, yet tough and flexible, of a darke grayish greene colour, and sometimes brownish especially neare the ground, where it beareth no leaves af∣ter it is growne of any bignesse or height, which winde

[illustration]

1. Apocynum latifolium non repens. Broad leafed or upright Dogs bane.

themselves from the Sun ward (as in all that I have seene I have observed) to a very great height, twenty foote or more sometimes, if it finde whereon it may climbe higher, or else falling downe againe with his top, whereon stand at severall good distances, saving at the tops where they stand thicker 〈◊〉〈◊〉 together, two leaves longer and narrower then the for∣mer, and pointed at the ends, somewhat thicke, and of a deepe greene colour almost shining: the flowers stand in the same manner that the others doe, consisting of five thicke leaves, each of them pointed and somewhat bending backwards, seeming to have two leaves a peece, one lying upon another, like unto those of Epimedium or Barrenwort, the undermost being greenish and larger then the upper leaves, which lye upon them, and are not so large to cover them wholly, but leave the greene brims, or edges of the lower leaves to bee seene round about them, which upper leaves are of a darke purple or reddish colour, and cleave so fast to the lower, that it is very hard to separate them: in the middle of each flower standeth a greene pointell, incompassed with five darke yel∣low chives, each of them turning inwards: after the flowers are fallen, appeare (in the warme countries, but not in ours) small long cods, two alwayes joyned together, but more strictly then the other, bowing somewhat more outwards in the middle, and meeting almost together at the points, wherein lie such like flat seedes, wrapped in the like silken downe the roote spreadeth in the ground like the other, and sometimes sendeth forth suckers, whereby it is encreased: this likewise looseth his leaves but not his stalkes in the winter, and gaineth fresh in the spring.

3. Apocynum angusto salicis folio. Willow leafed Dogs bane.

This other narrow leafed Dogs bane groweth up in the same manner, that the last doth having two leaves set at every joynt of the climing twigs, but they are not so thicke, but somewhat thinner, and much narrower then they, almost resembling the forme of a willow leafe, the flowers are like the other, and blow as late, loosing his leaves in the winter, in the same manner.

4. 5. Apocynum rectum latifolium & angustifolium Americanum, sive majus & minus. The great and lesser upright American Dogs bane.

Although I have in my former booke given you both the description and figure of the greater sort of these Dogs banes by the name of Periploca Virginiana, Virginian silke, yet I think it not amisse to mention it here againe, & give you the full figure thereof, referring you to see the description, &c. there, and with it to joyne a lesser sort which creepeth not with the rootes in the ground like it, but from many long fibres shooteth forth a round browne stalke about halfe a yard high, having at each joynt a paire of long narrow leaves, and such a large tuft of flowers at the top, but of a deeper purple colour, which have a certaine clamminesse on them that will detaine flies or other light things that happen to fall thereon, after which come long and straight cods (not crooked like the greater sort hereof) with flat browne seede therein lying in a white kind of downe, like unto Asclepias Swallowewort: this yeeldeth a milky sap like the other, and thought to be both dangerous, although no true tryall hath beene made thereof.

6. Pseudo apocynum Virginianum, alijs Galseminum Americanum maximum flore phaeniceo. Virginian Iasmine.

Let me I pray you make bold to insert in this place to the rest this Indian, Ientitule him with bastardy for the reasons hereafter specified, whose description I give you in this manner. It shooteth forth sundry weake whitish wooddy stemmes not able to sustaine themselves without helpe of stakes or fastening to some wall but spreading exceeding high or farre, branching forth on all sides into many small ones, at whose joynts come forth long winged leaves seaven or nine set on a middle stalke, each whereof is somewhat broad and long poin∣ted

[illustration]

2. Apocynum angustifolium sive repons. Climing Dogs bane.

Apocynum rectum latifolium & angustifolium Americanum sive maj•• & minus. The greater and lesser American Dogs bane.

and dented somewhat deepely about the edges, and of a sad greene colour full of veines, very neare resem∣bling the leaves of the great Germane Burnet Saxifrage. This never bore flower with mee, nor any other the hath it in our country that I could heare of: but in the naturall place, as also beyond sea, at Rome, and other wa•• countries, it beareth a great tuft of flowers together hanging downewards, each whereof is large and somewhat long, somewhat like to the Foxglove, but rather Bell fashion, small at the bottome big in the belly, and wi•• open at the mouth, cut in on the brims into five or six lips as it were or divisions, of a sad Orenge or yellowish 〈◊〉〈◊〉 colour, with some yellow threds, & a whitish stile in the middle: after the flowers are past; arise hard; wooddy, ••i•• & flattish double edged crooked and pointed cods, containing within them a double row of flat, thin, transparent, browne skinny and winged seedes, with a thinne wooddy filme separating them in the middle all the length of the cod: the roote groweth not very deepe but spreadeth, yet runneth not under ground, the leaves all falling away from the branches every winter, and are renewed every spring. By this that hath beene sayd you may per∣ceive the reason why I place it among these dangerous climers, although it have no obnoxious or hurtfull quality therein for any thing I can learne, and doe not call it a Iasmine as many others do, nor a Honysuckle as our English Colonie at Virginia first did, nor a Bell flower as since they have done, nor yet place it with the other Clime••s in the last Chapter, because of the pods with seede, neither yet doe I entitle it Gelseminum heder aceum Indicu••, •• that good French goose doth, whose horned name is prefixed to his worke of great judgement no doubt, to m••e it beare an Ivy title that hath so little resemblance thereto.

The Place.

The first groweth in Syria and those Easterne countries, the other groweth in Italy, in Apulia and Calabria is the kingdome of Naples: the third likely groweth in Italy, the seede being sent from thence, as also in Egypt, the three last sorts came all from our English plantations in America.

The Time.

They flower very late in the yeare, if they flower at all, that is, not untill the end of August, and to the middle of September.

The Names.

It is called in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Apocynum and Cynomeron, quia canis interficit: Dioscorides saith it was also called of divers in his time Cynocrambe, Brassica canina, but it is an extravagant name not fit, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Periploca of divers; which is as well a word, common to all sorts of herbes, that clime up and wind themselves about trees, and other things as peculiar to these called Periploca, whose Alexipharmacum or counterpoyson i•• the Vincetoxicum or Asclepias, as the Anthora is unto the Thora, and Herba Paris unto Pardalianches. Fab•• Columna seemeth to doubt, that the Herbarists and Apothecaries in Italy did take the Apocynum of Dioscorides, in their Medicines, which is deadly, in stead of Asclepias, and that they did not know the true Ascepius of Dios••∣rides, unto whose description that which is called Asclepias with them and us doth not agree, for although it hath a number of rootes, yet they doe not smell well, (as Dioscorides saith the rootes of his Asclepius should d••e nor yet hath it seeds like unto Securiduca Hatchet Teeth, but hath leaves, flowers, cods, with silken downe, and

seede in them, like unto the Apocynum of Dioscorides, and differing in nothing but in the milkye juice it yeel∣deth; which as he saith, in that, is white like milke (but Dioscorides saith, that his Apocynum giveth a yellow juice or milke) and in this, is of a pale yellow colour like unto the poyson of the viper, that sticketh in the gums of his teeth; which he saith he hath often shewed to his friends, to shew them the likelihood of danger to be in their Asclepias, which yeeldeth such a likely poyson, or at the least to cause them to be more cautelous in the use of it: but assuredly if their Asclepias (which is the same with ours called also Vincetoxicum as I thinke) doe give a yellowish milke, yet doth it not in our Country, neither the white nor black: he saith also, that the latter writers have set forth divers sorts of Apocynum under the name of Asclepias of Dioscorides, for that they doe not know, nor have seene the true Asclepias of Dioscorides, unlesse his Apocynum and Asclepias be all one, set forth in divers places, and by divers names: thus farre Fabius Columna, led away onely by the sight of that yellowish milke in their Asclepias; which as you heare he acknowledgeth not to be the right (howsoever the use thereof was fre∣quent with them, and might be as he acknowledgeth also, a counterpoison as the true Asclepias is accounted) but rather an Apocynum: but I thinke he did not thorowly consider that the true kindes of Apocynum, have all of them wooddy, yet pliant branches, as Dioscorides giveth to his Apocynum, fit to binde any thing, which abide and dye not downe to the ground, as all the sorts of Asclepias doe, which is the true note to distinguish the Apocy∣num from Asclepias. The names of them all, as they are in their titles here set downe, doe little or nothing vary, from those that all other writers give them, some calling them Apocynum, and some Periploca, and therefore I neede not I thinke, make any further repetition of their divers appellations, onely the fourth Bauhinus calleth as I doe, and taketh it to be also the Secamone Aegyptiorum of Alpinus, and the second sort of the second kinde of Apocynum of Clusius: the last, because of the wooddy pods with the manner of the climing, mooveth me rather to joyne it to these, although I know not of any evill quality therein, and therefore give it a bastard name.

The Ʋertues.

There is no property herein fit for the use of mans body, appropriated by any, either ancient or moderne wri∣ters, for the place in Pliny, lib. 24. c. 11. is mistaken or scarse to be beleeved, where he saith the seede of A∣pocynum taken in water, helpeth the pleuresye, and all paines of the sides, (unlesse he thought it to be like the hangman that can doe as much,) and yet afterwards saith it killeth dogges, and all foure footed beasts, being gi∣ven them in their meate, for Galen saith it is a poyson to man, and being of a strong sent it is hot, and that not in a meane degree, although it is not drying in the same, and is not to be used but outwardly, to discusse humours. Clusius saith, that the most illustrous Prince, William Landtsgrave of Hessen, in appointing his Physitions to make tryall of the Terra Silefiaca, which was taken at Strega, whether it had those properties to expell poysons, as they that brought it to sell reported of it, caused divers poysons to be given to dogs, as Arsnicke, Napellus, or Helmet flower, and Oleander or the Rose bay, and this Dogs bane also; which soever of those dogges, had that earth given to him in drinke, did after some fits or passions recover, but those that had none thereof given them dyed all, but none so speedily as those that had this Dogs bane given unto them, yet Pena and Lobel in their Ad∣versaria, speaking of that kind of Dogs bane, say thus; If it be death to a dogge that hath eaten it, it is proba∣ble that it is Apocynum (for in their title, they make a doubt thereof) of Dioscorides: but say they, wee have it for certaine, and of long time found true by experience and tryall, that this is a counterpoyson against other sorts of poyson given to dogges, thus you see the reports of these two are flat contrary, the one unto another, so that which of them to beleeve, I leave to every one as they thinke good: peradventure, this their Periploca Graeca folijs latioribus hederaceis, (for so they call it) is the same vulgar or common Asclepias, that Fabius Colum∣na saith, was used in Italy, as is before said, and not that Apocynum rectum of Clusius.

CHAP. XXI. Asclepias sive Ʋincetoxicum. Asclepias or Swallow-wort.

HAving now shewed you all the Venemous Plants, as also those that procure sleepe, and those that are hurtfull and dangerous; let me now shew you also those that are accounted Counterpoysons, to those deadly or dangerous herbes, as also to other sorts of Venome or poyson, and yet not all, for some are dispersed in this worke, in the severall Classes thereof, and some are spoken of in my former booke, as you may there find. The first of them that I shall set forth unto you is the Swallow-wort, because it is so like unto the Dogs bane in the last Chapter, and is his Antidote, whereof there are three sorts as follow∣eth.

1. Asclepias flore albo. Swallow-wort with white flowers.

This Swallow-wort riseth up with divers slender weake stalkes; to be two or three foote long not easie to breake, scarse able to stand upright, and therefore for the most part, leane or lye downe upon the ground, if it find not any thing to sustaine it, and sometimes will twine themselves about it, whereon are set two leaves at the joynts, being somewhat broad and long pointed at the end, of a darke greene colour, and smooth at the edges: at the joynts with the leaves towards the toppes of the stalkes, and at the toppes themselves, come forth divers small white flowers, consisting of five pointed leaves a peece, of an heavy sweet sent; after which come small long pods, thicke above and growing lesse and lesse to the point, wherein lye small flat browne seede, wrapped in a great deale of white silken downe, which when the pod is ripe, openeth of it selfe, and sheddeth both seed and cotten upon the ground, if it be not carefully gathered: this yeeldeth no milke either white or yellow in our Country as the Dogs bane doth, in any that I have observed, but a thinne watery juice; the rootes are a great bush, of many white strings fastened together at the head, smelling somewhat strong while they are fresh and greene, but more pleasant when they are dryed: both leaves and stalkes, dye downe every yeare to the ground, and rise a new in the Spring of the yeare, when the stalkes at their first springing are blackish browne.

2. Asclepias flore nigro. Swallow-wort with blacke flowers.

The blacke Swallow-wort groweth in the same manner that the former doth, having his long slender rough branches, rise to a greater height then the other, and twining themselves about whatsoever standeth next unto

[illustration]

1. Asclepias flore albo. Swallow-wort with white flowers.

2. Asclepias flore nigro. Swallow-wort with blacke flowers.

them, having such like darke greene leaves set by couples, but somewhat smaller then they: the flowers like∣wise stand in the same fashion, but somewhat smaller also and of so darke a purplish colour, that it seemeth to be a blacke, and are scarse discerned unlesse one looke very earnestly upon them: after which come more plen∣tifully then in the former, such like cods, with a white silver downe, and seedes in them as in the former: the rootes hereof are not so bushye as in the other, neither smell so strong, nor doth it give any milkie but a watery juice when it is broken, so farre as ever I could observe.

3. Asclepias Cretica. Swallow-wort of Candy.

This Candy Swallow-wort, riseth up in the same fashion that the former doe, with many slender flexible greene branches, with leaves set at the joynts, on either side, as the white kinde hath, and are very like unto them, but somewhat of a paler greene colour; the flowers stand in the same manner, three or foure together upon a stalke, but are somewhat of a paler white colour, not so white as they, to whom succeede sometimes but one, but most usually two pods together, which are thicker and shorter then those of the white kinde, stra∣ked all along, and double forked at the ends, wherein lye seedes and silke as in the former: the rootes have not so many strings as the last, and have as well as the rest of the Plant, a strong smell resembling Boxe leaves.

The Place.

The two first grow in rough untilled places, and in mountaines in divers places, both in France about Narbo••, Marseilles and Mompelier, and in Italy also, and in other places. The last grew in Candy from whence the seed came.

The Time.

They all flower in the moneths of Iune and Iuly, and sometimes not untill August, if the yeare be backeward, and their cods with seede is ripe about a moneth after: the empty huskes abiding on the dry branches, when the seed and silke is shed out, and fallen on the ground, or blowne away with the wind.

The Names.

It is called in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Asclepias, ab Aesculapio, qui 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Graecie dicitur antiquo medicinae doctore•• some bastard names it hath also, as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 quasi hederula, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 haederefolium: and thereupon or from the forme of the leaves like unto Ivy: Ruellius calleth it Hederalis, in Latine it is called usually Asclepias and Ʋince∣toxicum, which is as a generall word to denominate any Counterpoison, for Ʋincetoxicum quasi Alexipharmic•• dictum, & quod illi insignis adversus venena vis insit, it was anciently called Hirundinaria, (although both the kindes of Chelidonium majus and minus, be also called Hirundinaria) of some, quia acutae & aperta ejus siliquae, cum c••∣dida lanugine volanti hirundini fere similis est, alij vero a semine lanugine pinnato, ita dici aiunt: that is, it is cal∣led Swallow-wort of some, because the pointed cods when they are open; and the silke appeareth out of them, doe somewhat resemble a Swallow flying; others say from the likenesse of the seed, fethered as it were with the downe about it: it is called in Italian Ʋenci tassico & Asclepiade, in high Dutch Schwallen wurtz, in low

Dutch Swalnwe wortel, and in English Swallow-wort, and of some silken Cicely: It is generally by the most writers, and most judicious Herbarists now a dayes, acknowledged to be the true Asclepias of Dioscorides, al∣though Anguillara doubteth of it; and Matthiolus denieth it and contesteth against Fuchsius that said it was Ʋin∣cetoxicum. For first concerning the leaves, to be like Ivye, as Dioscorides saith and long as it is in some copyes, but Oribasius as he saith hath it not so; and Marcellus doth thereunto agree, led peradventure as he saith, by the sight of some ancient copies, the leaves being like unto Bay leaves, but sharper pointed; secondly that the flowers had no strong or evill sent; thirdly that the leaves and rootes, did not smell sweet; and lastly, the seede was not like those of Pelecinum Securidaca, the Hatchet Fetch; all which Dodonaeus retorteth saying, all his exceptions and reasons are nothing worth, but I may say all Dioscorides his comparisons are not so stricktly to be stucke unto; for in the de∣scription of the cods of Apocynum, he saith, they are like Beane cods, when as all know they are more like the cods of Oleander: and in the description of the leaves of Periclymenum he saith they are like those of Ivy, unto whom they are in all mens judgement very little like, and so in a number of other things: Concerning the rootes, Matthiolus saith, that an ancient Manuscript hath not the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 multas, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 tenues, but which of them both is taken doth not much alter the matter: but that they are not sweete, no man that hath his sence of smel∣ling perfect, can say so, if he feele their sent, as they grow naturally in the Mountaines; and for the evill smell of the flowers, the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 virus redolens, is not in all things of one equality: and for the seede although ••it be not as square as the Securidaca, yet is flat, and in colour and bignesse like it. Fabius Columna as it is set downe in the Chapter before, tooke the Italian Asclepias, to be rather Apocynum of Dioscorides: and Lobel also cal∣leth the blacke Swallow-wort Periploca minor, belike because it riseth higher, and clambereth like a Periploca, or more then the white: or peradventure because of the blacke flowers, but I shewed you before the chiefest note, to know Asclepius from Periploca or Apocynum. There is little variation in the denominations of these plants by any writers, more then is here expressed, some calling them by the one, and some by the other name, and there∣fore not worthy further trouble.

The Ʋertues.

The rootes have a most soveraine quality against all poysons, but in particular as is said before, against the Apocynum or Dogs bane; It is effectually given to any that are bitten by any venemous beast, or stunge by any Serpent or other Creature; as also against the biting of a mad dogge, a dramme and a halfe thereof taken in Cardus Benedictus water, for divers dayes together: It is taken also in wine every day against the Plague or Pe∣stilence: a dramme thereof taken in Sorrell or Buglosse water is very effectuall against all the passions of the heart, if a few Citron seedes be taken therewith, taken in the same manner and measure, it easeth all the griping paines in the belly: the decoction of the rootes, made with white wine, taken for divers dayes together, a good draught at a time, and sweating presently thereupon cureth the dropsie: the same also helpeth the jaun∣dise, provoketh urine, and easeth the cough and all defects of the chest and lunges: the powder of the rootes taken with Peony seede, is good against the falling sickenesse, or with Bassill seede or the rinde of Pomecitrons is good against Melancholly: and taken with the rootes of Dictamnus albus or Fraxinella, bastard Dittany, will kill and expell the wormes of the maw or belly: the rootes are very effectually used with other things, made for bathes for women to sit in, or over, to ease all paines of the mother, and to bring downe their courses: the de∣coction likewise of the rootes hereof, and of Cumfrye made with wine, is much commended to helpe those that are bursten or have a rupture, also for them that have beene bruised by a fall, or otherwise: the powder of the rootes or leaves, is no lesse effectuall to clense all putride rotten and filthy ulcers and sores wheresoever, then the rootes of Aristolochiae or Birthwort, and may safely be used in all salves, Ʋnguents and lotions, made for such purposes, in the stead thereof, the one for the other: the leaves and flowers boyled and made into a pultis, and applyed to the hard tumours or swellings of womens breasts, cureth them speedily, as also such evill sores as happen in the matrix, although they be inveterate or hard to be cured: the downe that is found in the cods of these herbes, as well as in the Dogs bane, doe make a farre softer stuffing for cushions or pillowes or the like, then Thistle downe, which is much used in some places for the like purposes.

CHAP. XXII. Herba Paris. Herbe True love or one berry.

BEsides the usuall and knowne Herba Paris, I have two other herbes like thereunto, to bring to your consideration, which I thinke is fit to take up the roome here.

The ordinary Herba Paris, or Herbe true love hath a small creeping roote, of a little binding, but unpleasant loathsome taste, running here and there, under the upper crust of the ground, some∣what like a Couch grasse roote, but not so white, and not much lesser then the roote of the white wild Anemone, and almost of as darke a colour, but much like thereunto in creeping: shooting forth stalkes with leaves, some whereof carry no berries, and others doe, every stalke being smooth without joynts, and blackish greene, rising to the height of halfe a foote at the most, if it beare berries (for most commonly those that beare none, doe not rise fully so high) bearing at the toppe foure leaves, set directly one against another in manner of a crosse, or a lace, or ribben, tyed as it is called, in a true Loves knot, which are each of them a part somewhat like unto a Nightshade leafe, but somewhat broader (yea in some places twice as broad as in others, for it will much vary,) sometimes having but three leaves, sometimes five, and sometimes sixe, and sometimes smaller and sometimes larger, either by a quarter or halfe, or as I said before, twise as great: I have seene it also degenerate, that the foure leaves being twise as large as the ordinary, have beene dented in, both at the edges and points, which have beene parted or forked, (and have borne greater berries then the ordinary) all which are of a fresh greene colour, not dented about the edges: in the middle of those foure leaves, there riseth up a small slender stalke about an inch high, bearing at the toppe thereof one flower spread open like a starre, con∣sisting of foure small and narrow long pointed leaves, of a yellowish greene colour, and foure other lying between

[illustration]

Herba Paris. Herbe true love or one berry.

2. Herba Paris Canadensis rotunda radice. Herbe true love of Canada with a round roote.

them lesser then they; in the middle whereof standeth a round darke purplish button or head, compassed about with eight small yellow mealy chives or threds, which three colours make it the more conspicuous, and lovely to behold: this button or head in the middle, when the other leaves are withered, becommeth a blackish purple berry full of juice, of no hot nor evill, nor yet of any sweetish taste, of the bignesse of a reasonable grape, ha∣ving within it many white seedes; the whole plant is almost insipide, without any manifest taste, and by the effects, in repressing humours and inflammations is accounted as cold as the Nightshade.

2. Herba Paris triphyllos Brasiliano. Herbe true love of Brasill.

The roote of this herbe is small and creepeth like the other, sending forth a slender stalke of foure or five inches high, having three broader and longer leaves set thereon, then are in the former, the stalke riseth about three inches above them, bearing at the top three much narrower leaves, as it were the huske to the flower, standing in the mid∣dle, consisting of three white leaves having some veines in them, and are about three inches long, and one broad.

3. Herba Paris Canadensis rotunda radice. Herbe true love of Canada with a round roote.

This herbe groweth with three large leaves like the last, and at the toppe of the upper stalke one flower, con∣sisting of sixe leaves, three whereof are greene and small, which are as it were the huske to the other three leaves which are larger and longer, of a darke purple colour, and in some white, in the middle whereof groweth a small round blackish berry, full of small seedes like Nightshade seede: the roote hereof creepeth not as the for∣mer, but groweth into a small round tuber.

The Place.

The first groweth in our woods and copses, as also sometimes in the corners and borders of fields, and waste grounds, in very many places of this land, for besides those places which Gerard hath set downe, which are al∣most all wasted and consumed, every one running thereunto, that is next him, and gathering it: it is found in Hinbury wood, three mile from Maidestone in Kent, in a wood also called Harwarsh, neere to Pinnenden heath, one mile from the said Maidestone, in a wood by Chisselhurst in Kent, called Long wood, and in the next wood thereunto called Iseets wood, especially about the skirts of a hoppe garden bordering thereon, in a wood also over against Boxly Abbay a mile from Maidestone in great abundance, not farre from the hedge side of that Med∣dow, through which runnes a rivelet, related by M^r. George Bowles a young Gentleman, of excellent knowledge in these things. The second was found as Bauhinus saith in the woods of Brasil, but I had the knowledge thereof given me from Mounsier Loumeau of Rochell Preacher who had it out of Canada. The last was brought out of Canada, and mentioned by Coruntus in his booke of Canada plants.

The Time,

They spring up in the middle of Aprill, or May, and are in flower soone after, the berries are ripe in the end of May, and in some places in Iune.

The Names.

This herbe Paris hath not beene knowne, to either antient Greeke or Latine Writers, that wee can finde by their writings. It hath found therefore divers names, by divers of the moderne Authours, every one according as his opinion and judgement led him: for although Matthiolus, Caesalpinus, Anguillara, Camerarius, Dodonaeus, and Lugdunensis following them, doe call it Herba Paris, as it is now generally termed of all Herbarists; yet in the former times, Fuschius tooke it to be Aconitum Pardalianches, and to be deadly▪ or at least dangerous, whom Matthiolas contradicteth, and Cordus in his History of plants, seemeth to be of Fulschus opinion, calling it Aconi∣tum sive Pardalianches monococcon, but because it was found by good experience not to be hurtfull, but helpefull, Tabermontanus calleth it Aconitum salutiferum. Some called it Ʋva versa. Tragus not knowing any Latine name, that others called it by, giveth it the name of Aster, from his owne countrie people, who called it Sternkraut, but he addeth thereunto, sed non Atticus, because it might be knowne, he did not account it the Aster Atticus of Dioscorides, and others: he also calleth it Ʋva lupina, after the Germane word Wolffsbeer, whereby they in other places usually call it; as also einbeer: the Italians call it Herba Paris; the Spaniards Centelha; the French Raisin de Reinard; the Dutch Wolfebesien, and Spinne coppen. Gesner in hortis Germaniae, and Lobel and Paena in their Adver∣saria, call it Solanum tetraphyllon, from the forme of the leaves and berries, or both, and Bauhinus as leaning unto their judgement, calleth it Solanum quadrifolium Bacciferum. The second Bauhinus calleth Solanum triphyllum Brasilianum; and I Herba Paris triphyllos Brasiliana, because I doe not account the Herba Paris to be any kinde of Solanum. The last Cornutus calleth Solanum triphyllum Canadense.

The Ʋertues.

Although some formerly did account this herbe to be dangerous, if not deadly, as by the name of Aconitum, it may be gathered, because the forme thereof bred in them such a suspition, yet have not set downe any evill Sym∣tomes that it wrought, and therefore Pena and Lobel say, they made much triall thereof upon dogs, & other crea∣tures, to finde out whether it would worke any dangerous effects unto them, but did not see any harme come to them that had eaten it, and therefore upon report of the contrary effect it would worke, they made triall likewise thereof upon two dogs, to whom was given of Arsenicke and Sublimatum, of each halfe a dramme in meate, unto one of them, about an houre after their taking of it, when their furious & foming fits were over, that they become more quiet, as if they were ready to die, there was given one of them, two drammes of the pouder called Pulvis Saxonicus, (the receipt whereof hereafter followeth) in red wine, who presently thereupon grew well, the other dying without helpe the receipt of the pouder is thus. Res. Radicum Angelicae sativae & sylvestris, Vincetoxici, Ph•• sive Valeriane majoris, Polypodij quercini, Althae & Ʋrticae ana unciam dimidiam, Corticis Meseres Germanici, drachmas duas, granorum herbae Paridis numero 24. Foliorum ejusdem cum toto numero 36. ex radicibus & cortice in aceto maceratis, ficcatis ut caeteris & mixtis flat omnium pulvis: the leaves or berries alone are also effectuall, to ex∣pell poisons of all sorts, but especially that of the Aconites, as also the plague and other infectious diseases: it hath beene observed saith Matthiolus, as well from my owne experience, as from Baptista Sardus, the Author that enlarged the Pandocts, that some have beene holpen hereby, that have lyen long in a lingring sicknesse, and others that by Witchcraft (as it was thought) were become halfe foolish, as wanting their wits and sences, by the taking a dramme of the seedes, or the berries hereof in pouder, every day for twenty dayes together, were perfectly restored to their former good estate, and health: the leaves dried and given in pouder, have the like operation, yet in a weaker manner; it is thought also that the berries procure sleepe, being taken at night in drink: the rootes in pouder ease the paines of the collicke incontinently, being taken in wine: the leaves are very effe∣ctuall, as well for greene wounds, as to clense and heale up old filthy ulcers and sores, and is very powerfull to discusse all tumours and swellings, and to allay all inflammations very speedily, as also those tumours that happen in the cods, privy parts, or in the groine: the juyce or distilled water of the leaves, taketh away all heate and inflammation in the eyes: the same leaves also or their juyce applied to fellons, or those nailes of the hands or toes, that have empostumes or sores gathered together at the rootes of them, healeth them in a short space.

CHAP. XXIII. Bistorta. Bistort or Snakeweede.

THere be diverse sorts of Bistorts, some being of late, others of elder account.

1. Bistorta major vulgaris. Common Bistorte or Snakeweeke.

This common Bistort hath a thicke short knobbed roote, blackish without, and somewhat red∣dish within, a little crooked or turned together, of an harsh or astringent taste, with divers blackish fibres growing thereat, from whence spring up every yeare divers leaves standing upon long foote stalkes, being somewhat long and broad, very like unto a Docke leafe, and a little pointed at the ends, but that it is of a blewish greene colour on the upperside, and of an Ash colour gray, and a litttle purplish underneath, ha∣ving divers veines therein; from among which rise up diverse small and slender stalkes, two foote high, almost naked and without leaves, or with very few, and narrower, bearing a spikie bush of pale flesh coloured flowers, which being past, there abideth small seede somewhat like unto Sorrell seede but greater.

2. Bistorta magis intorta radice. Bistort with more crooked rootes.

This Bistort differeth not much from the former, being a little lesse, both in leafe and roote, which are more writhed and crooked than the former; the Spikie flowers, &c. are equall also, almost unto them, and so is the three square seede.

3. Bistorta Alpina majora. Great Mountaine Bistort

The great Bistort hath many very long and pointed leaves, of the same colour with the first, both above and underneath, some of a cubite or a foote and a halfe long, and but narrow in comparison of the length, being about three inches broad, these stalkes rise almost twise as high as the first, almost bare without leaves thereon, which are much smaller, bearing a spike of blush flowers, foure inches long at the toppes: the roote is foure times big∣ger than the common sort, blacke without, with many blacke fibres at them, but not so red within as the first, but rather whitish.

4. Bistorta minor nostras. Small Bistort of our owne Countrie.

This small Bristorte sendeth forth three or foure small narrow leaves, scarse an inch broad, and almost foure inches long, greene above, and gray underneath; the stalkes are slender, and but with one or two leaves set thereon, at the toppes whereof stand small long round spikie heads of white flowers, with diverse small greene leaves among them; after which come a reddish seede almost round, which being drie, become blackish, and are bigger than those of the first: the roote is small in proportion, but somewhat crooked or turned like the com∣mon kinde, being of a blackish colour without, and somewhat whitish within, of the same auster binding taste, that the rest hath.

5. Bistorta minor Alpina. Small Bistort of the Alpes.

This small Bistort hath broader leaves, and not so long as the last, the tuft of flowers likewise at the toppe is closer set together, in other things not differing.

6. Bistorta Alpina pumila varia. Variable leafed small Bistort.

This Bistort hath not onely two or three broad and short almost round leaves pointed at the ends, but two or three very narrow and long leaves also with them comming from the roote, the stalke is scarse an hand breadth high, with many such whitish flowers thereon as are in the other small ones.

The Place.

The two first grow at the foote of hills, and in the shadowie moist woods neare unto them, in many places of Germany; and in our countrie likewise in the like places, but chiefely is nourished up in gardens. The third groweth on the high hills in Silesia, and other places: the fourth groweth especially in the North, as in Lan∣cashire, Yorkeshire, and Cumberland in diverse places. The two last are found likewise on the Alpes in diverse places, but the last among the Switzers.

The Time.

They all flower about the end of May, and the seede is ripe about the beginning of Iuly.

The Names.

It is called generally Bistorta, quod radice in se serpentis modo contorta, & convoluta constet, of Tragus, Lonicer••, and others Colubrina, from the Germane title of Schlangenwurtzel and Natterwurtzel; of Fuschius Serpentaris, quod venenosorum serpentium ictibus succurrit: of Gesner in hortis Germaniae Limonium. Fracastorius calleth it B••∣lapathum, as well as Bistorta. Lobel and Clusius thinke it may be Britannica of Dioscorides and Pliny. Bauhinus calleth the first, Bistorta major radice minus intorta. Some call it Behen rubrum, others take it to be Molybde•• of Pliny. Some also doe take it to be the second Dracunculus of Pliny lib. 4. cap. 16. the second is called by Tragus Colubrina minor. Bauhinus calleth it Bistorta major radice magis intorta. The third Bauhinus, that hath first set it forth as I thinke, calleth it Bistorta Alpina maxima: the fourth I take to be differing from the next, and there∣fore call it Nostras: the fifth is called by Camerarius, Clusus, Lobel, Bauhinus, and all others that have writte••

[illustration]

1. 4. Bistorta major vulgaris & minor. Great and small Bistorte or Snakeweede.

5. 6. Bistorta minor Alpina & Alpina pumila varia. Small Bistorte of the Alpes anduariabbe leafed Bristorte.

••hereof Bistorta minor, or Alpina minor; onely Gesner in hortis Germaniae, reckoneth it to be a small sort of Limoni∣••. But in that Bistorta cannot be Britanica this sheweth: in the description thereof that the leaves are rough or ••airy, when these are smooth, and that the rootes of Britanica are small and short, when these are not small al∣••hough short; and Galen in his sixt Booke of Simples, saith that although the leaves of Britanica be somewhat ••ke unto Docke leaves, yet they are blacker and more hairy. And that it cannot be Behen rubrum, the faculties doe ••sily declare, for the rootes of the true Behen rubrum & album, are both sweete in smell, and are of an hot qua∣••tie, that they are effectuall to procure venery, or bodily lust which these cannot: the last is not remembred by ••ny Author before this time. The Italians, Spaniards and French doe follow the Latine, as we doe also, the Low Dutch the Germanes in their appellations, which is Natterwortele.

The Ʋertues.

Both the leaves and rootes of Bistort, have a powerfull facultie to resist all poyson, a dramme of the roote 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pouder taken in drinke, expelleth the venome of the plague or Pestilence, the small Pocks, Measells, Purples, ••r any other infectious disease, driving it forth by sweating; the same roote in pouder, or the decoction thereof 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wine being drunke staieth all manner of inward bleeding, or spitting of bloud, as also any fluxes of the body 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man or woman; as also when one is troubled with vomiting: the pouder also of the roote, or the decoction ••hereof being drunke, is very availeable against ruptures or burstings, or all bruises or falls whatsoever dissolving ••e congealed bloud, and easing the paines that happen thereupon: the same also helpeth the Iaundise: the wa∣ter distilled from both leaves and rootes, is a singular remedy to wash any place, bitten or stung by any vene∣mous creature, as Spiders, Toades, Adders, or the like, as also for any the purposes before spoken of; and is very ••ood to wash any running sores or ulcers: the decoction of the roote in wine being drunke, hindereth abortion, ••at is, when women are apt to miscarrie in child bearing, the leaves also killeth the wormes in children, and is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great helpe to them that cannot keepe their water, if they put thereto some juyce of Plantaine; and applied ••utwardly doth give much helpe in the gonorrhaea or running of the reines: a dramme of the pouder of the roote, ••ken in the water thereof, wherein some iron or steele being red hot hath beene quenched, is an admirable, helpe ••hereunto, so as the body be first prepared and purged from the offensive humours: the leaves or seedes, or ••ootes, are all very good to be put into decoctions, or drinkes, or lotions, for either inward or outward wounds, or other sores; and the pouder strowed upon any cut or wound in a veine, &c. that is apt to bleede much, staieth the immoderate fluxe thereof: the decoction of the rootes in water, whereunto some Pomgranet ••ills, and flowers are added, serveth for an incection into the matrice, as well to stay the accesse of humours to ••he ulcers thereof, as also to bring it to the place being fallen downe, and to helpe to stay the abundance of their ••ourses: the roote of Bistort and Pellitory of Spaine, and burnt Allome of each alike quantitie, beaten small & made ••nto a paste with some hony, a little peece hereof put into an hollow tooth, or holden betweene the teeth, if ••here be no hollownesse in them, staieth the defluxions of rheume upon them, when it is the cause of paine in them, and helpeth to clense the head, and avoide much offensive matter; the distilled water is very effectuall to wash those sores or cankers that happen in the nose or any other part, if the powder of the roote be applied thereto afterwards: it is good also to fasten the gummes, and to take away the heate and inflammation, that hap∣pen as well in the jawes, almonds of the throat ot mouth, if the decoction of the rootes leaves, or seedes, be used, ••or the juyce of them: the rootes are more effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid, than either leaves or seede.

CHAP. XXIV. Tormentilla. Tormentill or Setfoile.

ALthough formerly there hath but one kind of Tormentill or Setfoile beene knowne to our English Writers, yet now there is found out and made knowne to us two other sorts, which shall be all de∣clared in this Chapter.

1. Tormentilla vulgaris. Common Tormentill.

The common Tormentill (is so like unto Cinquefoile, that many doe mistake it, for it may well be reckoned as one of them) hath many reddish slender, weake branches, rising from the roote, lying upon the ground, or rather leaning, than standing upright, with many short leaves that stand closer to the stalkes, than the other Cinkefoiles doe, with the foote stalke encompassing the branches at severall places, but those that grow next to the ground are set upon long foote stalkes, each whereof are like unto the leaves of Cinkefoile, or five leafed grasse, but somewhat longer and lesser, and dented about the edges, many of them di∣vided but into five leaves, but most of them into seaven, whereof it tooke the name Setfoile, and standing round with the divisions like a starre, and therefore called Stellaria) yet some may have sixe and some eight, as the fer∣tilitie of the soile and nature list to worke: at the toppes of the branches stand divers small yellow flowers, consisting of five leaves, like unto those of Cinkefoile, but smaller: the roote is smaller than Bistort, somewhat thicke but blacker without, and not so red within, yet sometimes a little crooked, having many blackish fibres thereat.

2. Tormentilla Alpina major. The greater Tormentill.

This Tormentill differeth not from the former, but in the largenesse of the leaves and rootes, which are much greater and redder, and of a better sent, in all things else agreeing with the former.

3. Tormentillae argentea. Silver leafed Tormentill.

This white Tormentill, hath many short, low and thicke spread reddish stalkes, with leaves like unto a Cinkefoile, but much smaller than the first, and consisting of five leaves in many of them, and sixe and seaven in most of them, & sometimes more being somewhat longer, & each of them set upon very long footestalkes, greene on the upperside, and of a silver shining white colour underneath, smooth and not snipt at all about the edges: the flowers are smaller than in the first by the halfe, and of a white colour, set about the stalkes at the toppes, at severall distances, and standing in small huskes, wherein afterwards is contained small yellowish seede: the

[illustration]

1. Tormentilla vulgaris. Tormentill or Setfoile.

3. Tormentilla argentea. Silver leafed Tormentill.

roote is thicke and somewhat long, joynted or knotted, blackish on the outside and somewhat reddish within, with many fibres thereat.

The Place.

The common sort groweth as well in woods and shadowie places, as in the open champion countrie, about the borders of fields in many places of this land. The second groweth among the Helvetians or Switsers, as also in the county of Tiroll: the last groweth upon the Alpes in divers rockie or stony places, as also upon the Pyr•• Mountaines, and among the Savoyards likewise.

The Time.

They doe all flower in the Sommer, from the beginning to the end, but the last is latest.

The Names.

It hath beene not set forth, by any of the antient Greeke or Latine Writers, yet it hath obtained a Greeke na••e from the forme 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Heptaphyllum, or Septifolium, Setfoile, or Seven leaves, but not properly, for they are not seaven leaves, but the number is seven of the divisions of every leafe; for to speake properly, it is but one leafe, cut into five or seven divisions, and not seven leaves: for this is a generall rule in all leaves, whether of herbes or of trees, that what leafe, falleth away wholly together with his stalke and not in partes, and at severall times, is but one leafe, whether winged as we call it, as the leaves of the Ash tree, the Elder, the Wallnut tree, Horse Chesnut, Ʋirginia Sumacke, &c. the great Centory, Agrimony, Danewort, Parsnep, Ʋalerian, the Trefoiles, Cinkefoiles, and this Setfoile, in herbes: for in all these and the like the whole stalke, with the leaves falleth away together, and not any part of those leaves at one time, and part at another, as in all other tree and herbes that have not winged divided leaves. Although this narration be somewhat prolixe and extravagant, yet I hope to some good purpose, in regard the use thereof, may be profitable to young Herbarists, that know not or regarded not so much before: the first is called Tormentilla vulgaris, and of some Stellaria, from the forme of the leaves, and yet there are divers other herbes called Stellaria, as shall be shewed in their places, and some Consolida rubra, from the efficacie and colour of the root. The Second Camerarius in horto, calleth Tormentilla Alpina and Bauhinus Tormentilla Alpina vulgaris major. The last is very variably entituled by divers, as Pentaphyllum argenteum of An∣guillara, Pentaphyllum Alpinum petrosum, & minimum by Lobel, Pentaphyllum petraeum & Alpinum of Tabermonta∣nus, Caesalpinus taketh it to be Alchimillae alterum genus; and Clusius somewhat leaneth to that opinion, yet calleth it Heptaphyllon. Tragus taketh it to be the true Pentaphyllum of Dioscorides and Theophrastus, because it is found as often almost to have but five leaves as seaven; and Gesner in hortis Germaniae Argentarea petraea; of Camera∣rius Stellaria argentea, and Argentea Heptaphyllos montana; and of Lugdunensis Tormentilla candida Dalecham••: it is very likely to be the Pentapyllum lupini folium of Thalius in Harcynia sylva. Bauhinus calleth it, Tormentilla Alpina flore sericeo. Some also doe thinke it is Chrysogonum of Dioscorides, but thereof he hath but a very short description, saying Crysogonon busheth thickely with Oaken leaves, whose flower is very like unto Ʋerbascum Coronarium, the roote whereof is like a Turneppe, very red within and blacke without; but this herbe hath not leaves like an Oake, neither is the flower of any such beauty, or respect, that it might be put into garlands: as the Ʋerbascum Coronarium (which is thought to be the Lychinis Coronaria Rosecampion with the red flower, a

fit and usuall flower for garlands, for no other Ʋerbascum is knowne to be put to that use) neither is the roote like a Turneppe, whereby you may see what great difference there is, betweene this and that: But the true Chry∣sogonum of Dioscorides, Ranwolfinus found among the corne fields, not farre from Aleppo in Syria, as Lugdunensis setteth it forth, in his Appendix to the generall History of Plants; and Pona also, sheweth in his Italian descrip∣tion of Mount Baldus, as you shall have it more fully in his proper place: the Germans call it Blutwurtzell and Rotwortzell, that is, radix Sanguinaria, and radix rubra; and some after the Latine Tormentill, as most of the other Nations doe.

The Ʋertues.

Tormentill is of the same temperature and qualitie, that Bistort is, which hath caused divers to account it a kinde thereof, being cold in the second, and drie in the third degree, and therefore most excellent to stay all kindes of fluxes of bloud or humors, in man or woman, whether at the nose, mouth, belly, or any wound in the veines, of any where else, the juyce of the herbe or roote taken in drinke, not only resisteth all poyson or venome of any creature, but of the plague and pestilence it selfe, and pestilentiall feavers, and infectious diseases, as the pockes, measells, purples, &c. by expelling the venome and infection from the heart by sweating: if the greene roote, is not at hand, or not to be had readily, the powder of the drie roote is as effectuall, to the purposes afore∣said, to take a dramme thereof every morning; the decoction likewise of the herbes and rootes made in wine, and drinke, worketh the same effect, and so doth also the distilled water of the herbe and roote, rightly made and prepared, which is to steepe them in wine for a night, and then distilled in Balneo mariae; this water in this manner prepared taken with some Ʋenice Treakle, and thereupon being presently laid to sweate, will certainely by Gods helpe expell any venome or poyson, or the plague, or any fever or horror, or the shaking fit that hap∣peneth: for it is an ingredient of especiall respect in all antidotes or counterpoysons, never to be forgotten out of them, it is so effectuall in the operation against the plague; yea it is said that good shepheards doe carefully preserve this herbe, and give it their Sheepe for the rot, and many other diseases in them: for there is not found any roote, more effectuall to helpe any fluxe of the belly, stomacke, spleene, or bloud than this, prepared after what manner one will, to be taken inwardly or applied outwardly: the juyce taken doth wonderfully open the obstructions of the liver and lungs, and thereby certainely helpeth the yellow jaundise in a short space. Some there be that use to make cakes hereof, as well to stay all fluxes, as to restraine all chollericke belchings, and much vomitings with loathinge in the stomacke; in this manner, take the powder of the roote, and of a peece of a Nutmeg beates, made up with the white of an egge, and as much meale of Oates, as all of them come unto, which being baked, is to be taken every morning one, untill you finde helpe: or the powder of the roote onely, made up with the white of an egge, and baked upon an hot tile and so taken. Andreas Ʋalesius de radice Chinae, pag. 84. holdeth this opinion thereof, that the decoction of the roote is no lesse effectuall to cure the French poxe, then Guai••um or China: because it so mightily resisteth putrefaction: Lobel saith that Rondeletius used it in the stead or after in the same manner, that he used Hermodactiles for joint aches: the powder also, or the decoction to be drunke, or to fit therein as in a bath, is an assured remedy against abortion in women, that is, when they use to miscarrie often in child bearing, if it proceede from the over fluxibilitie or weakenesse of the inward retentive faculties, as also a plaister made therewith and vinegar, applied to the reines of the backe doth much helpe; it doth much helpe likewise those that cannot hold their water, the powder taken in the juice of Plantane, and is commended also against the wormes in children: it is very powerfull in ruptures and burstings, as also for bru∣ses and falls, to be used as well outwardly as inwardly: the roote hereof made up with pellitorie of Spaine and Allome, and put into an hollow tooth doth not onely asswage the paine, but staieth the fluxe of humors there∣unto, which was the cause thereof: the juice hereof also being drunke, is found effectuall to open the obstructions of the liver and gall. Tormentill likewise is no lesse effectuall and powerfull a remedy, for outward wounds, sores and hurts, than for inward, and therefore it ought to be a speciall ingredient in all wound drinkes, lotions and injections, for foule and corrupt rotten sores, and ulcers of the mouth, or secret parts, or any other part of the body; and to put either the juice, or powder of the roote into such ointments, plaisters, and such things that are to be applied to wounds and sores, as cause shall require: it doth also dissolve all knots, kernells, and hardnesse gathered about the eares, the throate and jawes, and the Kings evill, if the leaves and rootes be bruised and applied thereunto: the same also easeth the paines of the Scintica, or Hippegout, by restraining the sharpe humours that flow thereunto: the juice of the leaves and rootes used with a little vinegar, is also a speciall re∣medy against the running sores in the head, or other parts, scabbes also, and the itch, or any such eruptions in the skinne, proceeding of salt and sharpe humours: the same also is effectuall for the hemorrhoides or piles in the fundament, if they be washed and bathed therewith, or with the distilled water of the herbe and rootes: it is found also helpefull to drie up any sharpe rheume that distilleth from the head into the eyes, causing rednes, paine, waterings, itchings or the like, if a little prepared Tutia or white Amber, be used with the distilled water hereof: many women also use this water as a secret to helpe themselves and others, when they are troubled with the abundance of the whites or reds, as they call them, both to be drunke, and injected by a Syring.

CHAP. XXV. Pentaphyllum sive Quinquefolium. Cinkefoile or five leafed Grasse.

THe next unto the Tormentill must come the Cinkefoile to be intreated of, not onely for the likenesse of the outward face, or forme of the plant, but of the properties also, as you shall heare hereafter. Hereof there are many more sorts found out, and now made knowne, than formerly there was, and therefore I thinke it fit to expresse them in some method and order, that is in three rankes; the first shall be of those sorts, that beare white or whitish flowers; the second shall be of those that beare yellow flowers, and lie downe with their leaves upon the ground, or runne with their rootes: the third shall be of those that stand more upright bearing yellow flowers.

Primus Ordo. The first Ranke.

1. Pentaphyllum majus luteo flore vel albo. Great white or yellow Cinkefoile.

THis first and greatest upright Cinkefoile, hath many leaves rising from the roote, each upon his owne foote stalke, divided in five parts, as if they were five severall leaves, dented about the edges, and some times round pointed, very like the great common yellow Cinkefoile, but larger and a little hairy; from among which rise up straight or upright stalkes, and not much leaning downe to the ground, as the next that followeth doth; a little hairy also, and divided at the toppes into two or three branches, and they againe into other smaller upon every one whereof standeth one flower, of a white colour and larger than in others, but consisting of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 leaves, as all others doe; in the middle whereof standeth a small downy head, encompassed with many red 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yellow threds: the roote is somewhat thicke and long, and reddish with all.

2. Pentaphyllum majus alterum album. Common great white Cinkefoile.

This other white Cinkefoile, which is more common with all Herbarists, have many leaves growing from the roote, divided into five parts, each of them somewhat longer, a little dented, and pointed also at the end, greene on the upper side and hoary white underneath, betweene these leaves grow weake branches, le•• downe to the ground, scarfe a foote long, with many such like leaves upon them, but lesser than those below: the flowers of these, are almost as large, as those before, and of a white colour, consisting of five more round pointed leaves, than the greater before, yet with a nicke in the middle, with many small yellow threds in the middle, set about a woolly head, having many small seedes set together, like unto a Crowfoote heade of seede▪ the roote is somewhat thicke and long, blackish on the outside, but reddish within, with many fibres thereat. Of this sort there is an other whose greene leaves are not dented about the edges,* 1.15 little differing in any∣thing else.

3. Pentaphyllum siliquosum Arabicum albidum. Codded Cinkefoile of Arabia.

This Cinkefoile of Arabia riseth up with a tender transparant browne stalke about a spanne or halfe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 high, and afterwards groweth to be a foote high or more, having some leaves at the ground, and others 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the stalke, each of them set at the end of pretty long footestalkes, standing upright, bowing a little downe in the middle, and raised at the ends, which leaves are soft, and of a sad greene colour, divided into five parts whereof those two that are on both sides next the stalke, at the first are very small, the next two are tw•• a bigge as they, and the fifth in the middle, bigger by halfe then either of the last: but after they have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good while, the two lower leaves onely grow somewhat larger: the stalke divideth it selfe from the gr•• up to the middle thereof, into divers reddish branches; set at every joynt with the like leaves: at the toppe

[illustration]

1. Pyntaphyllum majus luteo flore vel albo. Great white or yellow Cinkefoile.

2. Pentaphyllum majus, alterum album. Common great white Cinkefoile.

[illustration]

3. Pentaphyllum siliquosum Arabicum albidum. Codded Cinkefoile of Arabia.

7. Pentaphyllum fragiferum. Strawberry Cinkefoile.

whereof grow a long spiky bush of flowers, one set above another, flowring one after another, thereby en∣during very long with flowers on them, which before they are blowne resemble small cups, set in small greene huskes, with pointels in the middle, but being blowen open, consist of foure little long and narrow hard leaves, of no pure but a fullen white colour with me, but blush with others, not standing as other Cinkefoiles doe, but upright all of them together almost, on the one side of a button, which is in the middle of the huske, and the pointell below then on the other side, standing forth an inch long, small at the bottome, and bigger at the fur∣ther end, of a very darke or browne colour, having foure small purplish threds, with yellow chives hanging at the ends about it: at the joynts all along the stalkes, where they beginne to flower, come forth much smaller greene leaves, divided onely into three parts: the seede did not come to perfection in my Garden, but withe∣red by some earely cold blastes, pulling downe all the heades, that were full of flowers and cods, to have see∣ded, but Alpinus lib. de exoticis, saith it beareth long and slender round and pointed pods, containing small round blacke seed, the roote neither spreadeth deepe nor wide, but perisheth with the first frosts.

4. Pentaphyllum album minus. Small white Cinkefoile.

This small Cinkefoile, hath many bushy upright stalkes, growing thicke together, with many hoary white leaves, in forme like the common white Cinkefole, and at the toppes of them many white flowers, like unto others, composed of five round pointed leaves, with a nicke in the middle: the roote is blackish and threddy, more then the former, and the whole plant, both stalkes, leaves, and flowers, are both lower and lesser, in other things little differing.

5. Pentaphyllum album minimum. The least white Cinkefoile.

This least Cinkefoile, hath his low stalkes somewhat hairy, but not hoary, being little more then one hand∣breadth high; whereon grow upon short footestalkes, small leaves consisting of five parts, dented onely at the ends: the toppes of the stalkes are divided, into many branches, whereon stand many white flowers like the last, but smaller, the roote is small and blackish.

6. Pentaphyllum minus argenteum. Small silver leafed Cinkefoile.

This other small Cinkefoile spreadeth on the ground, with very many whitish branches, covered next unto the roote, with many short brownish threds or haires, more like then leaves; above which come forth the leaves, made of five parts, as small as the last, but round pointed, and not dented at the end, of a sad greene colour on the upper∣side, & of a most fine shining silver colour underneath: at the tops of the branches stand a confused number of gree∣nish heads or huskes, set round about long branches, much differing from the other sorts, out of which appeare very small whitish flowers, scarse to be discerned, which turne into a very small yellowish seed, somewhat brown, the

roote is small, long hard and threddy, abiding diverse yeares, and busheth thereat so thicke, that it doth spreade a great deale of ground.

7. Pentaphyllum fragiferum Clusij. Strawberry Cinkefoile.

This Cinkefoile hath divers long hairy stalkes of leaves, rising from the roote, not set close together as other Cinkefoiles are, but parted or divided more like unto a winged leafe, sometimes into five, and sometimes into seaven leaves, rough and hairy also, dented about the edges, greene above and gray underneath, two set one a∣gainst another, with a little space betweene, but those three at the ends, standing somewhat closer together: the stalke that riseth up among these leaves, is about a foote high or more, reddish and hairy, and divideth it selfe at the toppe into lesser branches, with divers leaves thereon, divided into three parts, on the toppes whereof stand large white flowers, very like unto Strawberry flowers, but somewhat lesse, with many yellow threds in the middle; which being fallen there succeede small round heads, very like unto Strawberryes, but smaller and without any juice therein, having small reddish seeds within them: the roote is somewhat thicke, long, hard, and wooddy, reddish within and blackish without, with divers small long fibres thereat.

The Place.

The first Bauhinus saith, was found on the walls of Wallstat, a City of the Switzers. The second as Clusius saith, groweth in many of the woods, upon the mountaines in Austria, extending to the Alpes, as also in Mo∣ravia, Hungary, in Italy also, and divers other places: the other sort of that kinde, Tragus saith, he found not farre from Lutha, a City of the Empire; the third was brought out of Egypt, or out of Arabia, as the title de∣clareth. The fourth grew in stony places, about Curia of the Switzers. The fifth grew saith Clusius, in the stony and rocky places of the Alpes in Austria and Stiria. The sixth is a Plant raised from the seede that came among other sorts of seedes, sent me from beyond sea: the last groweth in divers places of Hungaria, and Au∣stria.

The Time.

They doe all flower in the Sommer moneths of Iune and Iuly, and the third in August.

The Names.

It is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and in Latine Pentaphyllum and Quinquefolium, a numero foliorum. Gasa transla∣ting Theophrastus calleth it Quinque petum. Tragus sheweth his mind and opinion concerning the Pentaphyllum of Dioscorides, and Theophrastus, that our Tormentill is their best and most noble Pentaphyllum, and is thereun∣to led as he saith, by the text of Theophrastus, in his tenth booke and fourth Chapter, (wnich yet contrarieth his judgement in my mind) for he there saith, that all the leaves are five parted, and his roote reddish when it is fresh, and blackish and square when it is dryed; but Tormentill hath more leaves of seaven divisions, then five, and hath alwayes yellow flowers, when as Dioscorides saith his hath whitish. The first Bauhinus calleth Qu••∣que folium album majus caulescens. The second is his Quinque folium album majus alterum, and by all other Au∣thors, Pentaphyllum or Quinquefolium album, the other of that kind Tragus calleth his owne, that is, Pentaphyllum Tragi & nobile. Vnto the third I have given the name as Alpinus doth, from the forme of his leaves and fruite, and from the place of his naturall abiding, but Pona in his Italian Baldus calleth it, Lupinus Arabicus sive Pentaphyllum peregrinum. The fourth Bauhinus calleth Quinquefolium album minus. The fifth is Clusius his second, which he cal∣leth Quinquefolium minus flore albo, and as he saith is the same that Lobel calleth Pentaphyllum minimum & petra∣um, but that as Clusius saith, his kinde hath as large flowers as the Strawberry, which Lobels hath not, but Clusius is therein much deceived, for Lobels Pentaphyllum petraeum or petrosum, is declared before to be the Stel∣laria argentea of Camerarius, and with Bauhinus, Quinquefolium album minus alterum. The sixth came to me by the name of Pentaphyllum argenteum, and because it is none of the great ones, I have added thereto minus. The last Clusius calleth, Pentaphyllum fragiferum, and is the Fragaria quarta Tragi. The Italians call it Cinquefolio, the Spaniards Cinco Yramas, the French Quintefueille, the Germanes Funff finger kraut, the Dutch men Ʋiif vinger czuyt, we in English Cinkefoile and Cinkefield, and five finger grasse, or five leafed grasse.

Secundus Ordo. The second Ranke.

1. Pentaphyllum vulgatissimum. The most common Cinkefoile.

THe common small Cinkefoile spreadeth and creepeth farre upon the ground, with long slender stringes like Strawberries which take roote againe, and shooteth forth many leaves, made of five parts, and some times of seven, dented about the edges, and somewhat hard, the stalkes are slender, leaning downewards, and beare many small yellow flowers thereon, with some yellow threds in the middle, standing about a smooth green head, which when it is ripe, is a little rough, and containeth small brownish seede: the roote is of a blackish browne colour, seldome so bigge as ones little finger, but growing long with some threds or fibres thereat, and by the small strings it quickly spreadeth over the ground.

2. Pentaphyllum incanum repens Alpinum. Creeping Mountaine Cinkefoile.

The creeping Mountaine Cinkefoile, shooteth forth many leaves from the roote like unto the former, and dented about the edges, but softer in handling; and somewhat of a grayish greene or hairy shining colour: the stalkes are slender and trayle almost upon the ground, with some lesser and lesser divided leaves on them, then below, bearing many gold yellow large flowers, with yellow threds in the middle, and such like seede: the roote is smaller and more fibrous then the former, but spreadeth in the like manner.

3. Pentaphyllum repens minus. Small creeping Cinkefoile.

This small Cinkefoile, creepeth and spreadeth upon the ground like the last, and is in stalkes and flowers a∣like also, saving that the leaves are somewhat larger and nothing hoary or shining, but greene, and have a little soft hairy downe on them, and the flowers are not of so gold a yellow colour, in other things not much diffe∣ring.

4. Pentaphyllum minus repens lanuginosum. Small woolly creeping Cinkefoile.

This woolly Cinkefoile is very like the last for growing, both of stalkes, leaves and flowers, but the stalkes are

[illustration]

1. Pentaphyllum vulgatissimum. The most common Cinkefoile.

4. Pentaphyllum minus repens lanuginosum. Small hoary creeping Cinkefoile.

6. Pentaphyllum supinum Potentillae sacie. Low Cinkefoile with wild Tansie leaves.

a little slender, not greene but reddish, the leaves are more woolly, and the edges deepelier dented in, the flowers also are of a deeper gold yellow colour then the last.

5. Pentaphyllum minimum repens. The smallest creeping Cinkefoile.

This smallest Cinkefoile, is lesse creeping then any of the former, having many small leaves of five parts, as o∣thers have, but a little whitish hoary underneath, this scarse beareth any stalke, with small pale yellow flowers, having a purplish head in the middle, which growing ripe is hard, and like a small Strawberry head as all the rest have, the roote is small, but somewhat sharper in taste then the others, but yet astringent withall.

6. Pentaphyllum supinum Potentillae facie. Low Cinkefoile with wild Tansy leaves.

This small Cinkefoile creepeth not, nor yet standeth up∣right, but leaneth downe with his weake stalkes to the ground ward, having very long stalkes of leaves on them, divided into many parts next the ground, set on each side thereof two at a space one against another, and an odde one at the end, all of them dented about the edges, very like unto wild Tansy leaves, but not hoary or silver like as they, but greene: the flowers come at the joynts with the leaves towards the toppes of the stalkes, which are there, lesser and lesse divided then those below, every one by it selfe, which are small and of a pale yellow colour, with a head in the middle, which after it is ripe, is like unto the other Cinkefoile heads of seede, that is, like unto a small hard dry Strawberry: the roote is small long and blackish, like the ordinary Cinkefoile.

7. Alterum eidem simile Enneaphyllon. Another small one like thereunto.

There is another low one of this kind, that Bauhinus hath ••et forth in his Prodromus, whose small slender stalkes, three or foure inches long are many, lying round about the roote upon the ground, divided into many branches, whereon are

long stalkes of leaves like unto the last, but divided into nine parts, each of them much narrower than they, very hairy and dented about the edges: the flowers are small and more yellow, standing in the same manner, and yeel••ing the like heade of seede: the roote is somewhat thicker and blacke ending in long fibres.

The Place.

The first groweth by woods sides, hedge sides, the pathwayes in fields, and in the borders and corners of them, almost through all the land: the second groweth on the highest toppes of the Alpes, that are highest unto Au∣stria; the other Pentaphyllum of Clusius groweth in the grassie fields of the Alpes neare Austria: the third groweth the most common of all others, by the wayes sides, in dry grounds in Hungary, the lower Austria, Mo∣ravia and Bohemia: the fourth groweth in the same places with the third, but more rare to be met with; the fift Tragus saith, in many sandie grounds of Germany, and in the grassie fields that are by the woods sides: the sixt Clusius saith he found in the borders of fields, that are by the woods sides about Ʋienna, and is cherished in gardens with many; the last groweth on the Alpes among the Switsers.

The Time.

They doe all flower in Sommer for the most part, yet the least, is often in flower the earliest, which is some∣times in Aprill, and the second in May.

The Names.

The first is generally called by all, either Pentaphyllum or Quinquefolium vulgare; of Bauhinus, Quinquefolium majus repens: the second is the third Pentaphyllum of Clusius, called by him, Pentaphyllum Alpinum flore aures, and by Bauhinus, Quinquefolium minus repens Alpinum aureum: the third is Clusius his first sort, of the fourth kinde of Pentaphyllum, which Bauhinus calleth Quinquefolium minus repens lanuginosum luteum: the fourth is the other sort, of Clusius his fourth kinde, and called by Bauhinus, Quinquefolium minus repens aureum. The fift is the first kinde of Tragus, called by him Quinquefolium minimum, and by Lobel in his Adversaria, Pentaphyllum minus luteum: the sixt is called by Lobel in his observations and Icones, Pentaphyllum supinum Tormentillae faci••, but by Clusius more properly, Potentillae facie; by Dodonaeus according to his figure, but not the description Quinquefolium tertium repens, which is M^r. Gerards Fragaria vesca sive sterilis: Bauhinus calleth it Quinquefo∣lio fragifero affinis; and calleth the last (which if it be not the same and growing lesse in his naturall or wilde place, yet is very like it) Quinquefolio affinis Enneaphyllon.

Ordo tertius. The third Ranke.

1. Pentaphyllum majus erectum. The greater upright Cinkefoile.

TThe greater upright Cinkefoile, hath somewhat longer and larger greene leaves, than any of the former sorts, cut into five parts, and often also into seven, and but with three leaves towards the toppes, and dented a∣bout the edges: the stalkes are strong and upright, not much above halfe a yard high, branched divers wayes, with large pale yellow flowers at the toppes of them, which

[illustration]

1. Pentaphyllum majus erectum. The greater upright Cinkefoile.

turne into seede like as the other sorts doe, the roote is blackish and stringie. Of this kinde, there is some that doth sometimes beare white flowers, and others purplish, whereof their flowers make the difference.

2. Pentaphyllum rectum minus. The lesser upright Cinkefoile.

The lesser upright Cinkefoile, hath smaller and rounder leaves than the other, of a sad greene colour on the upper∣side, and gray or hoary underneath: the stalkes are tenderer and lower, and the flowers at the toppes of them, are some∣what smaller and of a more gold yellow colour, and herein consisteth the chiefest differences the one from the other.

3. Pentaphyllum montanum erectum. The Mountaine upright Cinkefoile.

The Mountaine upright Cinkefoile, hath divers upright but slender hoary stalkes, scarse halfe a yard high, divided at the toppes into sundry branches, whereon grow divers leaves, cut into five deeper parts, and deeper dented about the edges, some∣what hairy also, and a little hoary underneath but not shining, whose foote stalkes are some shorter and some longer than o∣thers: but those leaves that grow below, at the foote of the stalkes stand upon very long foote stalkes, and are for the most part divided into seven parts or leaves: at the toppes of the stalkes grow gold yellow flowers, like the former but smaller, the seede that followeth, is not unlike the rest, neither is the roote which is blackish.

The Place.

The first groweth in many places in Germany, France, and in Savena of Narbone where it beareth white flowers say Pena and Lobel, and in Italy purplish: the second groweth in Germany in divers places, for Fuschius and Iohannes Thalius make mention of it: the third Bauhinus saith was found on the hill Crentza∣cenis, in the ascending to the toppe.

The Time.

These flower for the most part all the Sommer long.

The Names.

The first is called Pentaphyllum majus by Brunfelsius and Lobel in his Observations; and rectum majus by Came∣••rius: yet unto Lobels figure in his Icones, and unto Gerards figure, the title is Pentaphyllum vulgare: in the Ad∣••ersaria the title is hereof, (because of the variation of their flowers in the colour as I said before) Pentaphyllum ••liud album & purpureum: with many Herbarists in these dayes it is called Pentaphyllum Heptaphylli facie, be∣cause it hath so usually seven divisions or leaves upon a stalke. Bauhinus termeth it Quinquefolium rectum luteum: The second is called by Matthiolus in some editions Pentaphyllum album, and by Tragus Pentaphyllum exiguum, by Iohannes Thalius in Harcynia sylva Pentaphyllum canum, by Camerarius Pentaphyllum rectum minus: by Dodo∣••eus, Fuschius and Lugdunensis, Pentaphyllum or Quinque folium luteum minus: by Gerard Quinquefolium Tormen∣••illae facie, by Tabermontanus Quinquefolium petraeum majus, and by Bauhinus Qinquefolium folio argenteo. The third Bauhinus in his Pinax, and Prodromus setteth downe under the title of Quinquefolium montanum erectum hirsu∣••um luteum.

The Vertues.

Having declared unto you all the severall sorts of this kinde of herbe, called Cinkefoile, in their Orders and Rankes, I must now declare unto you the chiefe properties of them altogether, and yet shew which is the most effectuall in speciall: all these sorts for the most part, having one qualitie of cooling and binding, yet the binding is more incident, and naturall unto them all, then the cooling, in that some of them are a little sharpe or bitter in taste, which argueth some more heate, yet I may ghesse the sharpenesse or bitternesse therein, is no more any signe of heate than it is in Cichory, or Poppy or Opium: our common wilde creeping Cinkefoile, the greater upright one and the white Cinkefoile, are the chiefest for use, and strongest in effect of all the rest. These three sorts are much alike for their operation, and are held to be as effectuall for all the purposes, whereunto the Tor∣mentill is used, as well for preserving against venemous and infectious creatures, and diseases in each respect, as in keeping from putrefaction, for binding and restraining fluxes, either of bloud or humors, or any the other ef∣fects, whereunto Tormentill is applied; so that in stead thereof, and where it is wanting Cinkefoile may be used to as good purpose, I might referre you therefore to the properties of the Tormentill, to be enformed thereby, for the severall helpes, that this doth give; but I will shew you some particular remedies, it worketh upon especiall griefes and diseases: as first, it is an especiall herbe, used in all inflammations and feavers, whe∣ther infectious and pestilentiall or topicall among other herbes, to coole and temper the bloud and humours in the body, as also for all lotions, gargles, injections and the like, for sore mouthes ulcers, canckers, fistulaes, and other corrupt and foule or running sores: yet some are so foolish to thinke. that the decoction of one branch of leaves thereof, taken with a little Pepper, doth helpe a quotidian or daily ague, that three branches helpeth a tertian, and foure a quartane ague; but this set number of leaves and branches, is rather an idle conceit, as it is also to were it in their shooes, for the same purpose, then any certainety fit for a wise man or Phisitian to leane and trust unto: the juice hereof drunke about foure ounces at a time for certaine dayes together, cureth the quinsie and the yellow jaundise, and to be taken for thirtie dayes together cureth the falling sicknesse, and for all fluxes in man or woman, whither the whites or the reds, as also the bloudy flixe, the rootes boyled in milke, and drunke is held most effectuall of any other remedy: the rootes boiled in vinegar, and the decoction thereof held in the mouth, easeth the paines of the toothach: the juice or the decoction is good to helpe the hoarsenesse of the throate taken with a little hony; as also is good for the cough of the lunges: The distilled wa∣ter of both rootes and leaves, is effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid, and if the hands be washed often therein, and suffered at every time to drie in of it selfe without wiping it will in a short time helpe the palsie, or the shaking in them: the roote boyled in vinegar helpeth all knots, kernells, hard swellings and lumpes growing in the flesh in any part applied thereunto; as also all inflammations and S. Anthonies fire, all empostumes and paine∣full sores, with heate and putrefaction, the shingles also and all other sores of running and foule scabbs, sores, and itches; the same also boiled in wine, and applied to any joynts full of paine and ache, the gout also in any of the joynts of the hands or feete, and that also of the hippes called Sciatica: and if the decoction thereof be also drunke, it helpeth forward the cure much the sooner, and easeth also much paines in the bowells: the rootes are likewise effectuall to helpe ruptures or burstings to be used with other things availeable therefore, either in∣wardly or outwardly or both, as also for bruises, or hurts by blowes, falls, or the like, and to stay the bleeding of wounds, in any part inward or outward.

CHAP. XXVI. Gentiana. Gentian or Fellwort.

ALthough I have set forth in my former Booke divers sorts of Gentians or Fellwort, yet there re∣maine divers others to be intreated of; which shall be here remembred; and because I was there somewhat briefe in declaring the vertues as was fit for that worke, being but an abstract of choise plants, that beare beautifull flowers to store a garden of pleasure, and not a generall worke wherein all things are to be comprised, and all that may be said of every one also, I will here therefore amplifie my selfe the more in their vertues that have beene spoken of, which are the most effectuall, and of these also, for they are to be referred unto them: yet I thinke good to give you here some of the figures extant before. But that I may use such a method••all course, as I have formerly held, in set∣ting forth other plants which have divers sorts of one kinde, I will divide this family of Gentians into a greater and lesser sort, and of the lesser sort which admitteth a subdivision, and not the greater; I will divide them againe into perennes, everliving, or abiding, that is, that perish not in the Winter; and into annuas annuall, that is, such as spring up and perish the same yeare that they flower, abiding onely the Sommer and not the Winter: I might also divide the lesser sort againe into Ʋernall, Aestivall and Autum••all flowring plants, whereof every one in their order.

Gentianae majores. The greater Gentians.

1. Gentiana major flore purpureo. Great purple Gentian.

THe great purple Gentian, is very like the great yellow Gentian in most things, having a great thicke brow∣nish yellow roote, parted into two or three great branches; with great fibres at them but a little more hand and woody of as bitter a taste as the other, which sendeth forth at the severall heads thereof, many faire broad three ribbed darke greene shining leaves, so like unto the other, that it is somewhat hard to distinguish them, many of these heads from among the leaves, shoote forth thicke and strong stalkes, three or foure foote high, with divers joynts on them, and two leaves at them, one against another: towards the toppes whereof co•• forth the flowers compassing the stalkes, at two or three of the uppermost joints, with two leaves apeece under them, like as in the other, which are not laid open, starre fashion, like the other, but abide close and hollow, the brimmes onely divided into sixe or more round parts, of a purple colour, but paler at the bottome of them, where they are spotted with purple spots on the inside, having so many yellowish threds in the middle, as the flower hath corners, standing about a long greene by forked head, which growing ripe is the seede vessell, and containeth there in such like flat brownish seedes as the other, but somewhat lesse.

2. Gentiana major flore albo. Great Gentian with white flowers.

This white flowred Gentian is very like the former, and the great yellow kinde, not much lesser and lower in any part than the former, whose flowers are not purple but pure white, and hollow like the other, without any spots in them, this making the whole difference betweene them.

3. Gentiana major flore pallido punctato. Great pale yellow spotted Gentian.

This spotted great Gentian, is in all things also like the first, but in the flowers, which are of a duskish pale yellow colour, spotted both within and without with very many blacke spots.

4. Gentiana major flore caruleo. Great Gentian with blew flowers.

And this also differeth neither in greatnesse of stalkes, leaves and flowers, nor in the manner of growing, bu•• in the colour of the flower, which is of a blew colour.

5. Gentiana Asclepiadis folia. Swallowort Gentian.

This is discribed in my former Booke.

The Place.

All these sorts grow in many places on the Mountaines of Germany, and in other places, but are not to be found so usually as the great yellow.

The Time.

These doe all flower in Iune or there abouts.

The Names.

It is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Latine, and so likewise Gentiana, a Gentio Illyriorum rege primū inventore, as Di∣scorides

[illustration]

1. Gentiana major cujusque colori••. The greater Gentian of any of the colours.

Gentiana Cruciata. Crosseworte Gentian.

& Pliny set it down: Serapio saith it was called Basilica: of some it was called as some copies of Dioscorides hath it Centauria radix, of some Aloes Gallica Narces Chironion, and as Pliny saith, some Romanes called it Cnen∣dia, and some Ciminalis. The Italians and Spaniards follow the Latine name Gentiana, the French also Gentiane, the Germanes Gentian, Enzian, and Bitterwurtz; but the Gentiana Conciata, they call Modelgheer; we call it in English either Gentian or Fellworte, mixed as I take of Latine and English together, or Bitterwort, and of some Baldmony: all Authors doe generally call them all Gentians, and distinguished according to the colour of the flowers, as they are in their titles.

Gentiane minores vernales perennes. The lesser Gentians of the spring, abiding.

1. Gentianella major sive Gentianella Alpina latifolia magno flore. The greatest small Gentian of the Spring.

THis greatest of the small Gentians is very like unto the Gentian of the Spring, that I have already set forth, yet it is not the same, having larger greene leaves, of two inches long and one broad, somewhat round pointed, with three ribbes or veines running through them, as the others have, the stalke rising from the middle of these leaves, groweth about foure inches high, with a small leafe or two thereon, bearing at the end thereof a large huske, sustained by two small and long leaves, from the middle whereof shooteth forth a very large and great hollow blew flower, ending in five small points: the roote is small yellowish and fibrous.

2. Gentianella angustifolia verna. Small narrow leafed Gentian of the Spring.

This small Gentian of the Spring, shooteth from the roote, which is long slender much spread under the ground and yellowish, many heads of divers small long and narrow leaves set together, somewhat longer then the next that followeth; from some of these heads, (for all flower not in one and the same yeare, those flowring the yeare following, which flowred not the yeare before, and those that did flower, not flowring againe the next yeare after,) riseth up a small slender stalke, somewhat higher then the former, bearing thereon, two such like small leaves at a joynt, and at the toppe one flower for the most part, (seldome more or the stalke branched) much smaller then the last, narrow long and hollow like a hose or huske of one entire leafe at the lower part, but ending above into five corners or small pointed leaves, laid open like a starre, having small peeces of leaves like as it were eares, set at the bottome of the divisions of them, both of them of a perfect blew colour, but not so deepe as the former, having a white line in the middle of each of them, and the ground or bottome of the flower whitish also, with a few threds standing about a small head, not to be seene untill the flower be almost or fully past, unlesse one open it; which after it is ripe is small and long, containing very small brownish seede.

3. Gentianella minor Verna. The smaller Vernall Gentian.

This little Gentian groweth in all things like the last, saving that the leaves are not so long and narrow, but are small, and of the breadth of the naile of ones little finger, somewhat pointed at the end: the stalke is much a∣bout the same height, and beareth such a like small blew flower, sometimes having those small peeces or eares at them, and sometimes without them: and these be the chiefest differences betweene them.

4. Gentianella omnium minima. The least Gentian of all.

The least Gentian (so called because of the bitternesse in it, else it might very well be accounted rather a kind of mosse) spreadeth, and as it were matteth upon the ground, with many small and long leaves, among which

[illustration]

1. Gentianella Alpina verna major. The greatest of the small Gentians of the Spring.

Gentianella verna minor. The smaller Vernall Gentian.

rise small little footestalkes, little more then an inch high, bearing each of them one flower, larger then the pro∣portion of the plant may seeme to beare, of a pale blew colour scarse appearing out of the huske: the roote is small and white.

The Place.

The first groweth upon the Alpes, that are neere unto Switzerland as Bauhinus saith, The second groweth on the dry cold hils of Savoy. The third Clusius saith he found as well upon the Pyrenaean hils neare Spaine, as also upon divers hils of Austria and Hungary, Gerard saith it is found upon Salisbury plaine, in Sussex, and nere St. Albons, but I doubt he was mistaken, for that which groweth in those places, as farre as I can heare or learne, as also in many other of our owne land, is not this Vernall kinde, but some other, that flower some in the Som∣mer, some in Autumne, as you shall understand by and by. The last as Bauhinus saith groweth upon the hilles among the Switzers.

The Time.

The two first sorts doe usually flower in Aprill, the third in May, and the last latest, and it is but casuall, if they flower at any other time, for their leaves abiding greene all the Winter, they do encrease at the roote and may be easily parted.

The Names.

These are called by most writers, Gentianella quasi Gentiana minor, and vernae because they doe chiefely flower in the Spring time. Lugdunensis saith, they may be called Thylacitis major & minor. The first Bauhinus in his Pinax and Prodromus calleth Gentianella Alpina latifolia magno flore, as if none had made mention of it before himselfe, but assuredly it is the same that Lugdunensis setteth forth, although that of Lobel and Clusius be a lesser of that great sort, which is that I have already set forth in my former booke, which he calleth Gentianella Alpina angustifolia magno flore. The second is the Gentianella angustifolia of Lugdunensis, which differeth from the Alpina minor of Clusius, although Bauhinus doth not distinguish them, but calleth it Gentianella Alpina major, when all others call it minor. Gesner in hortis Germaniae calleth it Calathiana verna, and Lugdunensis Helleborius Dalechampij on Dioscorides. The third Clusius calleth Gentianella minor verna, and is thought by divers to be Cantabrica of Pliny. Caesalpinus taketh it to be Ʋincetoxici species pusilla. The French by a speciall name, call both the greater and the lesser of this sort Reperet. The last Bauhinus calleth Gentiana omnium minima, as it is in the title, and peradventure is the Gentianella Bavarica of Camerarius in his Icones, but that this he saith hath longer and that rounder leaves.

Gentianellae astive. Small Gentians of the Sommer.

1. Gentiana Pennaei caerulea punctata. Docter Pennies blew spotted Gentian.

ALthough I am in some doubt, whether this be a Gentian, and dare not affirme it to be any of the great kinds of Gentian (and Clusius also to whom Dr. Penny gave both the figure and description, was doubtfull of it not to be of the smaller kinde, let mee therefore place

[illustration]

1. Gentiana Pennei caerulea punctata. Dr. Penny his blew spotted Gentian.

it either as the last of the greatest Sommer sorts, and least of them, or first of the Sommer kinde, but greater then any of the smaller, whose description is as followeth. It hath a joynted stalke about a foote and a halfe high, some∣what reddish toward the bottome next to the roote, with two leaves like the great Gentian, set at each joynt, but much smaller, and with more veines or ribbes therein then it, each standing upon a reddish footestalke, greater below then those above, where they do in a manner com∣passe the stalke, from the middle of the stalke upward come forth the flowers at the joynts with the leaves, on both sides of the stalke, three for the most part standing together, except the uppermost of all, where they stand five together, each of them with a short footestalke under them, consisting of five small pointed leaves, spread like a starre, of a pale blew colour finely spotted, with many small blacke prickes on the inside, having a small umbone in the middle, and five small threds, tipt with yellow standing about it: the seede that follweth, is enclosed in such heads or huskes, as the Gentians have: the roote is small and yellow, with many fibres annexed unto it. Hereunto I may referre another very like unto it, found in the North parts of this land, namely in Lancashire, by Mr. Hesket, a Gentleman in his life time very skilfull in the knowledge of Plants, whose figure I here exhibit, that some other may be stirred up to finde it out againe, that we may have further knowledge thereof.* 1.16

2. Gentianella aestiva cordata. Small Heartlike Sommer Gentian.

This Sommer Gentian, hath a small long fibrous, but wooddy yellowish roote, (and thereby may be judged to be but annuall and not abiding) from whence arise small leaves, somewhat round pointed, with a greenish yellow ••ibbe in the middle of them, two alwaies set one against

another: the stalke is square, about halfe a foote high, with the like leaves at the joyntes and divided from the middle upwards, into divers small short branches, on the toppes whereof stand very large flowers, in com∣parison to the smallnesse of the Plant, which is of a whitish blew colour before it be open, and writhed toge∣ther, like to many of the flowers of the small Bindeweeds, but being opened consisteth of a long hollow round huske ending in five hard leaves, somewhat broad and pointed like a starre, of as brave a deepe blew colour, as any of the former: betweene those greater leaves, there are other smaller leaves set, each of them round at the ends and dented in, making them seeme like unto a heart, as it is painted, from whence the name in the title cordata heart-like, was imposed upon it, the like forme being not observed in any of the other: the seede vessell after the flower is past, groweth to have a small long necke, and bigger above, which being ripe openeth it selfe at the head, contrary to the rest, containing within it much blacke seede, but twise as bigge and as long as the other.

3. Gentianella aestiva purpuro-caerulea. Small purple Sommer Gentian.

This purple Sommer Gentian shooteth forth a reasonable strong stalke, a foote and a halfe high, with divers joynts, and two leaves at every one of them, somewhat broad at the bottome, where it joyneth to the stalke, not having any footestalke to stand on, growing smaller to the end, and long pointed: the stalke at the toppe hath some short branches, whereon are set five or six or more small purplish blew flowers, ending in five small pointed leaves, after they are fallen and past, come up small long cornered pods, or seede vessels, con∣taining much small seede: the roote is slender long and fibrous, and perisheth after bearing, raising it selfe againe from its owne sowing, and if it spring before Winter, it will endure it well and flower the next yeare, else if it rise in the Spring, it will abide all the first yeare and flower and seede the next.

4. Gentianella aestiva flore lanuginoso. Sommer Gentian with a cottony flower.

This Sommer Gentian springeth up with many long and narrow leaves, lying in compasse upon the ground, with three veines in every one of them, as is usuall in all or most of the Gentians, from among which riseth up a square stalke, about a foote high or more, bearing at every joynt two such like leaves as grow below, but lesser and longer pointed: at the joynts with the leaves, toward the toppes of the stalkes, shoote forth two or three short branches, bearing every of them three or foure flowers, larger then the former and bigger bellyed, ending in five points or leaves, of a paler purple colour, having a small purplish cottony downynesse, at the bottome of each of the leaves, where they are divided on the inside: after the flowers are fallen, there appeare small long huskes, like hornes, full of small round seede, the roote is small and long, of a pale colour somewhat wooddy, perishing as all the Sommer kindes doe.

5. Gentianella aestiva flore breviore. Sommer Gentian with short flowers.

This kinde of Gentian is somewhat like unto the last, but that the leaves are broader by the halfe, two alwaies standing at a joynt, of a deeper greene colour, the stalke is square and branched at the toppe in the same manner, bearing divers flowers on every of them, which are both shorter and greater then they, and of a pale blewish co∣lour, the seedes and rootes are much alike: all these kinds as well as the former are very bitter, which cause them to be referred to Gentian.

6. Gentianella aestiva minima Neapolitana. The small Sommer Gentian of Naples.

This small Gentian hath small square stalkes, little more then halfe a foote high, but fuller of branches and flowers then the last, the leaves thereon are somewhat long and narrow, the stalkes are branched from the bot∣tome, with many small flowers on them, standing in small huskes, which are long like a cuppe, the brimmes en∣ding in foure parts, somewhat distant one from another, making the ends to seeme the longer, of a purplish co∣lour enclining to rednesse, with a small woollinesse at the bottome of each of the foure leaves, where they are divided, and white also on the inside, at the lower part of them, and of a paler purple about the edges; after which come up small long heads, forked at the toppe, wherein is contained small round shining yellowish seed, yet bigger then any of the former, the roote is longer and more full of threds or fibres then the last, spreading much under ground.

The Place.

The first as Clusius saith, Dr. Penny of London, shewed him the figure, and gave him the description, and told him that he gathered it upon Bockmut a hill of the Switzers, and the other of that kinde, as is said in some places of Lancashire, but we know not where. Columna saith he found the second upon the hils Aequicoli in Naples. The third and fourth groweth in the meddowes, at the foote of hills in many places of Germany, as Clusius saith. The fifth groweth on the toppes of hills onely, in many places of Austria. And the last on the hils in Naples as Columna saith.

The Time.

These doe all flower in the Sommer Moneths of Iuly, and August, and not before, the seede growing ripe soone after, which shedding themselves continue their kinds, but will hardly endure transplantation, or rise of the seed sowen in a Garden, as both Camerarius and others have observed, and my selfe can say the same.

The Names.

These are called Gentianellae aestivae, and are mediae inter Gentianas & Centaurias minores, as partaking of both in forme and property, Clusius calleth them Fugaces, because they abide not a Winter, unlesse it be upon their first yeares sowing, that they doe not runne up to flower, for so they may be said to abide two yeares, yet they are called annuall in that they perish after flowring. Bauhinus calleth them pratenses, because they grow in meddowes, yet some of them are onely found on the toppes of hils. The first Dr. Penny called Gentiana punctata; but Clusius referreth it to the Classis of his Fugaces. Bauhinus calleth it in his Phytopinax Alisma folio glabro but in his Pinax, Gentiana palustris latifolia flore punctato. Columna calleth the second Gentianella caerulea cor∣data, for the causes expressed in the description, which Bauhinus entitleth Gentianella utriculis ventricofis. The third is Clusius his first kind of Gentiana fugax, which Bauhinus calleth Gentiana autumnalis ramosa; which title in my judgement is not correspondent to the Plant, as indeed in these small Gentians, as well as in many others, he is much and often mistaken, making two sorts of one, and sometimes misapplying the authors titles, to those that are not right, for neither is this plant onely full of branches, to beare the title ramosa, for others of this sort are so also, neither doth it flower so late to be made an Autumnalis, more then the other in this order,

which for the most part are past before the Autumnall kindes be in flower. The fourth is Clusius his second Gen∣tiana fugax, which Bauhinus calleth Gentiana pratensis flore lanuginoso: the fift is Clusius his third Gentiana fugax, which Bauhinus calleth Gentiana pratensis flore breviore & majore: the last Columna calleth Gentianella purpurea minima.

Gentianellae autumnales. Small Autumne Gentians.

1. Gentianella Autumnalis Pneumonanthe dicta. The greater Autumne Gentian.

THe greater of these small Gentians, that doth flower in Autumne, riseth sometimes with more, and some∣times with fewer stalkes, sometimes also they rise higher, to be two foote high at the least, and sometimes not above a foote high, according to the fertilitie of the soile, of a brownish greene colour, having many long and narrow darke greene leaves, set by couples on them, up to the toppes, which seldome branch forth, but beare every one, a reasonable large hollow flower, bigger than any of the rest that follow, of a very deepe blew∣ish purple colour in most, yet in some a little paler, ending in five points or corners: the rootes are many, small and long, thrusting downe deeper for the most part into the ground, then those before named, and abiding after seede time, not perishing as the rest.

2. Gentianella autumnalis fimbriato flore. Autumne Gentian of Naples.

This Gentian of Naples, from a long yellowish small roote, creeping like Couchgrasse, doth shoote forth a few long and narrow leaves, somewhat like unto the leaves of Line or Flaxe, but shorter, but those that grow up higher on the stalke, unto the middle thereof are still larger, and from the middle to the toppe, decreasing againe, but in all places two set at every joint, and striped from every one of the joynts on both sides all the length of the stalke, which being greene and about a foote high, beareth at the toppe thereof a purplish greene cuppe or huske, consisting of foure large pointed leaves enclosing the flower, which before it blow open is long and writhed, of a pale blew colour, but being open, is of a deeper blew colour, ending in foure leaves somewhat long, and as it were purfled about the edges, with a little hairinesse at them also, having a small leafe at the bottome of each of them, and a few yellow threds in the middle, standing about an umbone or head, which when the flower is fal∣len groweth to be the seede vessell, forked into two parts at the head, where it is somewhat greater then it is be¦low, wherein when it is ripe is contained, very small blacke seede.

3. Gentianella autumnalis Centaureae minoris folio. Autumne Gentian with small Centory leaves.

This Autumne Gentian groweth up with sundry stalkes, not a foote high, parted into divers small branches, whereon stand two small leaves together, as is usuall in all the Gentians, very like unto those of the lesser Centaury, which are not so long as either of the former, a little broader and of a whiter greene colour: at the toppes of the stalkes and branches grow divers orient blew flowers, not so large as either of the two former, but

[illustration]

1. Pneumonanthe. The greater Autumne Gentian.

3. Gentianella autumnalis Centaureae minoris folijs. Autumne Gentian with small Centory leaves.

set in small long huskes, halfe way rising above the toppes of

[illustration]

6. Gentianella minima Bavarica Camerarij. Other sorts of Autumne small Gentians with Cen∣tory like leaves.

them, after which come small seede in long horned vessels, the roote is small and full of threds.

4. Alia flori Centaureae minoris similis folio majore. Another with small Centory like flowers.

I have seene in M^r. Thomas Pemble his garden at Maribone a sort that was more spreading than the former sorts, small but with larger leaves and flowers than Centory, and of the same colour of the Centory flowers, yet more plentifully stored and longer lasting; the plant perishing as the other.

5. Gentianella Centaureae minoris folio minor. A smaller Gentian with Centory leaves.

This small Gentian is very like unto the last, in the fashion and order of the leaves, but that they are somewhat smaller, and the stalke much lower, being not above three inches high, yet stored with many small branches, whereon are set long and somewhat large blew flowers, very like unto the lesser Vernall Gentian, after which the seede and vessels being ripe shew to be like the last: the roote is likewise small, but with many more fibres thereat then others.

6. Gentianella minima elegantissima Bavarica Camerarij. Other excellent sorts of Autumne small Gentians with Centorie like leaves.

The greater of them spreadeth sundry branches upon the ground, set full of small Centory like leaves, but a little pointed, and at the toppes of each, an orient blew flower made of five leaves. The other is even the smallest of all, with small round leaves (which the cutter hath perverted) and Starre-like blew flowers like the last.

The Place.

The first groweth in many places of Germany, and other places beyond the seas, as also in divers places of our owne land, as neare Longfield by Gravesend, neare Greenehithe and Cobham in Kent, in the fields about Sir Percivall Harts house at Lelling∣stone in Kent, and in a chalkie pit, not farre from Dartford in Kent hard by a Paper Mill, in the West Country also in divers places: it groweth as well in wet as in dry grounds. The second groweth on the hills in Naples, as Columna saith. The third groweth in Kent in divers places, as about Southfleete and Long-field upon the Downes, as also upon Barton hills in Bedfordshire, upon a peece of waste Chalkie ground, as yee goe out of Dunstable way, towards Gorkambury, and not farre from the ruines of the old Cittie Verulam, which is not farre from Saint Albones: the fourth is not knowne from whence it came: the fift upon divers of the Alpes: and the last according to the title in Bavaria.

The Time.

These flower for the most part not untill August, and that is later than the former, and therefore deservedly have the name of Autumne Gentians.

The Names.

The first is set downe by Matthiolus, Lobel, Cordus, Clusius and others; some under the name of Gentiana mi∣nima, as Matthiolus; some Pneumonanthe, as Cordus and Lobel; some Calathiana viola, as Gesner in hortis Ger∣maniae; some Campanula Autumnalis as Dodonaeus, and of Lugdunensis Campanula pratensis: the second Columnae onely mentioneth by the name of Gentianella caerulea fimbriata angustifolia autumnalis. Bauhinus calleth it Gen∣tianella caerulea oris pilosis: the third is the tenth Gentian of Clusius, and called by Eystotensis horti author Gentia∣nella autumnalis folijs centaureae minoris flore caeruleo. Lobel calleth it Gentiana minima, Bauhinus Gentiana angusti∣folia autumnalis floribus ad latera pilosis: the fourth is not mentioned by any before: the fift is the eleventh small Gentian of Clusius: the last is called by Camerarius, Gentianella elegantissima Bavarica; Bauhinus referreth it to the Gentiana verna Alpina,: I to the Calathiana verna Dalechampij of Lugdunensis; but that Camerarius saith it flowreth in Autumne.

The Ʋertues.

The greater Gentians are more used in Physicke with us then the smaller, although they be neare of one pro∣pertie, and almost as effectuall both inwardly and outwardly, and in the places, where the smaller are in plentie to be had, and the greater not so readily to be gotten, they doe very well serve in their stead. They are by their bitternesse so availeable against putrefaction, venomne and poyson, the plague also or pestilence, being a most certaine and sure remedy, that the Germans account it their Treakle, holding nothing to be a more commodious counterpoison, and for this purpose did formerly make a Treakle therewith and other things, at Iena which was transported into our country, and we thereupon called it Iene Treakle, made of Gentian, Aristolochia, Bayberies and other things, which were all good, wholesome, and effectuall for griefes and paines in the stomacke, and an especiall medicine against the infection of the plague, to expell the malignitie of that, and all other infectious diseases, and to preserve the heart, to strengthen it also against faintings and swounings; which Treakle was bit∣ter, and therefore the more likely to worke these, and other good effects; but that Ieane Treakle, which hath since crept into the place of it among the vulgar, because it is sweet and pleasant; is for that cause greedily sought after, and for the cheapenesse, of most sorts of poore people desired, but there is nothing in it, that can doe them good, nor hath beene found to helpe them of any disease, being nothing but the drosse and worst part of Sugar,

taken from it in purifying, the which they call refining; and because the good is bitter, therefore but few can away with it: yet in London it hath beene upon occasion, both censured and condemned by a Jury, and many hundred weights thereof, beene publikely burned in the open streetes, before their doores that sold it, as a just witnesse to all (if they would understand their owne good, and be perswaded by reason, true judgement and ex∣perience) that it is not a thing tollerable in a Common-wealth. I have thus farre digressed from the matter in hand, and yet I hope not without good and just cause, to informe all of our countrie to submit their wills and affections unto those of learning and judgement in Phisicke, and not be obstinate in their selfe willed opinions, and ignorance; for assuredly if that kind of Ieane Treakle were wholsome or effectuall to any good purpose, it were as easie for the Phisitians to give way to the use thereof, as for any other tollerated medicine: but the say∣ing is most true, Nitimur invetitum semper, cupimusque negatum, the more a thing is forbidden the more it is de∣sired; for the wrong opinion of many is to thinke, that it is for the private profit of some that the thing is forbid∣den, and therefore stollen bread is sweetest: But to the matter now in hand. The powder of the dried rootes takes in wine, either of themselves or with other things, as Mirrhe, Rue, Pepper, and the like, is a certaine remedy a∣gainst the stingins or bitings of Serpents, Scorpions, or any other venemous beasts, and against the bitings of a madde dog, being taken three or foure dayes together, and care taken to keepe open the wound with Vinegar or salt water, and to cleanse and dresse it in order as it should be; the same rootes also taken in wine helpeth those that have obstructions in their livers, or are liver growne as they call it, or have paines in their stomackes; those also that cannot keepe or rellish their meate, or have dejected appetites to their meate, for hereby they shall finde present ease and remedy: being steeped in wine and drunke, it refresheth those that are overwearied with tra∣vell, and are by cold and ill lodging abroad, growen starke or lame in their joynts: these also that have any gri∣ping paines in their sides, as prickings, stitches or the like: it helpeth those that are bruised by blowes or falls, by dissolving the congealed bloud, and easing the paines: the same also is held very effectuall against all agues, to take of the roote not in wine, but some other drinke, or the water distilled of the herbe: the fresh roote, or the dried made into a pessary, and put into the matrice, expelleth the dead child, and the afterbirth, for it throughly worketh upon those parts, and therefore not to be given to women that are with child, and being taken inward∣ly, procureth their courses being stopped, and the urine when it is staied: the decoction of the roote it mervel∣lous effectuall to helpe those that are pained with the stone: the same also taken in wine doth mervellous much good to those that are troubled with crampes and convulsions in any parts: it doth much good also to those that are bursten, and have any ruptures. Dioscorides saith that there is so great power and efficacie in the rootes hereof, that it helpeth not men onely, but beasts also that are troubled with coughes, and the outgoings of their intrails, and that it expelleth the wormes of the belly: it breaketh much winde in the body, and causeth it to avoid; and generally it is availeable in all cold diseases, either inward or outward, and as Galen saith, is most effectuall, where there is any neede to extenuate or make thinne, thicke flegme or grosse humors, clensing of cor∣rupt and filthy sores or ulcers, purging of peccant and offensive humours, and opening the obstructions of the liver and lungs, gall and spleene, and freeing the parts affected, with any the diseases incident unto them, and all these things, Galen holdeth it to worke by the facultie of bitternesse therein; for assuredly if our stomackes could brooke this and other bitter medicines, and were not so nice and daintie to refuse whatsoever is not pleasing to the palate, it would worke admirable effects in the curing of many desperate and inveterate diseases inwardly, and clensing and healing foule corrupt and desperate sores and ulcers outwardly, and therefore the Italians not undeservedly, doe call the Gentiana cruciata, Petimborsa, quasi mettere in bursa, put it into your purse, either as Matthiolus saith that it was to be gathered wheresoever it was found and fit to be kept in ones purse, as ready to be used upon all occasions, or that it did by curing of diseases, get store of crownes to be put into the purse; so excellent they accounted this roote and herbe to be used: the decoction of the leaves, or the juice of them, or the rootes, worketh the same effects: and so doth the distilled water of the leaves, flowers, and rootes, artificial∣ly made in Glasse, and drawen by the vapours of a Balneum or Hot water; for this water drunke, hath beene of∣ten tried to cure in a wonderfull manner, all those sorts of agues that breede by the obstruction of humours or blood, and killeth the wormes of the belly: the said water used to the face, clenseth it from all sorts of spots, freckles, morphew, and other defections, or discolourings of the skinne whatsoever, if it be often bathed light∣ly therewith; the powder of the roote, or the juyce thereof healeth all wounds that are fresh; as also is most so∣veraigne and effectuall for all sorts of foule, putride, or rotten ulcers wheresoever, yea although they be hollow, or fistulous, cancrous also fretting or running, for it mightily clenseth and drieth and healeth up also: the same also or the powder of the dried rootes applied to the ulcers, knots, or kernells of the necke or throate, which is called the Kings evill, healeth them certainely and speedily, as also the painefull swellings of the hemorrhoidiall veines, which are called the piles when they are fallen downe and grow vlcerous or sore: the juice either fresh or condensate, that is, made thicke by extraction and evaporation to his consistence fit to be kept, is used to be in∣fused into the eyes, to take away inflammations and rednesse in them, and to cleare & clense them from skins and filmes growing upon them: the roote or the juice of them, or the decoction of the herbe or roote, is given like∣wise very often to cattell to drinke, to free them from the Bottes, and wormes, and many other diseases, as also when they begin to swell, being poisoned by any venemous worme or ticke, which they often licke up with the grasse; as also when such wormes or other hurtfull vermine have bittten Kine by the udders or other tender places, which presently thereupon swell, and put the cattle to much paine, making them forbeare their meate; which when the countrey people see, they bruising the leaves of any of the Gentians, growing neare unto them, and wringing out the juice, stroke therewith the udder, or bitten place, and they by two or three times so doing are helped and cured: the rootes of the smaller Gentian of the Spring, being dried and given in powder to any to drinke, will cause much venting or farting, and is given with good successe to helpe the torments of the wind∣collicke, and other sore and grievous panges, or paines in the stomacke or bowells, it is also profitable to helpe the yellow jaundise, as also any evill disposition in the liver or body, engendred by long sickenesse or bad diet, whereby they pine away by a consumption.

CHAP. XXVII. Scorsonera. Vipers Grasse.

ALthough I have set forth in my former Booke two sorts of Scorsonera or Vipers Grasse which are the Spannish kinde and the low purple kinde, yet because there are some others that Clusius and others have made mention of, and some also not yet published by any, I thinke it meete to de∣clare all those not spoken of before, in this place and Chapter.

1. Scorsonera major Pannonica latifolia. The greater Hungarian broad leafed Vipers Grasse.

This greater Hungarian Vipers grasse is very like unto the Spanish kinde, in all things almost, the leaves here∣of are more in number, that rise from the head of the roote, as broad and long as they, but not crumpled about the edges, nor of that grayish greene colour, but smooth, and of a darke or evill greene colour; this hath two or three stalkes rising up among the leaves, and sometimes but one, according as the roote hath encreased into seve∣rall heads, having some lesser leaves upon them, and at the top, a scaly somewhat long greene head, from the mid∣dle whereof groweth the like double yellow flower as the Spanish kinde hath, and the like seede also, lying in such downy substance, neither of them to be well discerned the one from the other, after they have growne any time in the garden together: the roote also is long and great, spreading into many branches, and shooting forth into divers heads, from the upper part thereof, blackish on the outside, and white and pleasant within as the other, yeelding milke in every part in the same manner also, abiding many yeares and not perishing after seede time, as the Goates beards doe, whereof all these are accounted as kindes.

2. Scorsonera humilis latifolia Pannonica. The dwarfe Hungarian Vipers grasse.

This dwarfe or low Scorsonera, shooteth forth not so many long leaves but almost as broad as the last, some∣what stiffer and shorter; and of the same greene colour; from among which riseth up one firme, but hollow and shortstalke, not above an handbredth high, bearing some few small and short leaves thereon and a yellow flower, out of the like greene scaly head, but shorter than the other, with the like seede therein also: the roote is blacke without, and whitewithin yeelding milke as the other doth.

3. Scorsonera minor angustifolia Pannonica. The small Hungarian Vipers grasse.

This small Vipers grasse hath long and very narrow greene leaves, very like the leaves of Tragopogon or Goates beard, but shorter and not so many, the stalkes are slenderer and much lower then the first, bearing smal∣ler and more single flowers upon them then it, and lesser seede, but like in all other respects, lying in such downe; the roote likewise is long and blacke without and white within, but smaller and slenderer, never growing to be halfe so great, neither yeeldeth such store of milke as the other doth.

[illustration]

1. Scorsonera major Pannonica latifolia. The greater Hungarian broad leafed Vipers grasse.

5. Scorsonera tuberosa radice. The smallest Spanish Vipers grasse.

2. 3. Scorsonera humilis latifolia & angustifolia. The greater low, and the lesser tall Hungarian Vipers grasse.

4. Scorsonera elatior angustifolia Pannonica. Tall narrow leafed Purple Vipers grasse.

The taller purple Vipers grasse, hath many such like narrow long leaves as the last, and longer stalkes, with some lesser leaves on them, divided sometimes into two or three branches, bearing every one a small flower like unto the last, but of a blewish purple colour, standing in a shorter greene head, wherein is contained shorter and thicker seede, then in the former, the roote is long, and blacke without and white within, like the other, and yeelding also but little milke, yet abiding as the rest.

5. Scorsonera minima tuberosa radice Hispanica. The smallest Spanish Vipers grasse.

This least Vipers grasse hath divers leaves very small and narrow, lying on the ground, some rootes giving smooth leaves, and others crumpled about the edges, the stalkes are very small, and scarse rising three or foure inches high, bearing out of a long small scaly head, a very small and single pale yellow flower, wherein grow smaller blacke seedes, and enclosed in farre lesser downe, then in any of the other, the roote is as thicke as three fingers or more, but much shorter then in any other kindes, blackish without, and somewhat whitish within, yeelding very little milke, when it is broken, but abideth the Winter almost as well as any of the rest.

6. Scorsonera Illyrica. Vipers grasse of Sclavony.

The multitude of long narrow leaves with three ribbes in them to the number of fifty or an hundred, and of twenty slender stalkes, of small yellow flowers, and smaller seed after them then most of the former, the roote be∣ing blacke and thicke, maketh this kinde differ from the rest.

The Place.

The first groweth in many places of Germany, Bohemia, and Hungary. The second on the hils by Baden in Ger∣many. The third in many of the same places with the first. The fourth on a small hill nigh unto Stampfen, which is two Dutch miles from Posonium, a chiefe City in Hungary, and in other places thereof. The fifth grew in Spaine, and good store of the rootes being brought hither, I planted some of them in my Garden, perceiving them in forme to differ from others, which growing yeelded such leaves, flowers, and seede, as is before for downe. The last in Illyria or Sclavonye, as Alpinus saith.

The Time.

They doe all flower in May, and their seede is ripe before the end of Iune.

The Names.

The first knowledge of Scorsonera to the world, came by Monardus a famous Physition in Sivell, although it was found out, and the use of it likewise, thirty yeares before he wrote thereof, who made a small tract•• thereof, and of the Bezar stone, which Clusius translated out of the Spanish into the Latine tongue, and pub∣lished it with other of his workes translated also, and annexed to his booke of strange or Exoticke things, where∣in it is set downe that a Moore, a bondslave did helpe those that were bitten of that venemous beast, (or Viper as it is called by others) which they of Catalonia, where they breed in abundance, call in their language Escuers•• (from whence Scorsonera is derived,) with the juice of this herbe, and the roote given them to eate, which both tooke away the poison and healed the bitten place very quickely, when Treakle and other things would doe no good, which ever since hath growne in estimation, as well against venome or poyson, as against other diseases, as you shall heare by and by. The first is called by Clusius, Scorsonera major Pannonica, by Matthiolus Scorsonera Bohemica, whom Lobel and Lugdunensis follow, Tabermontanus and Gerard, call it Germanica, and Bauhinus Latifolia altera. The second is called by Clusius, Scorsonera humilis latifolia Pannonica, by Tabermontanus, Sco∣sonera Pannonica, and by Bauhinus, Scorsonera latifolia humilis nervosa. The third is called by Lobel Scorsonera altera, by Tabermontanus, Scorsonera Germanica angustifolia, and by Bauhinus Scorsonera folijs nervos••. The fourth is called by Clusius, Scorsonera angustifolia elatior Pannonica, by Thalius, Scorsonera tenuifolia altera; and by Bauhinus, Scosonera angustifolia subcaerulea. The fifth because it came from Spaine without any name, I have entitled it according to the face and forme thereof, Scorsonera minima tuberosa radice Hispanica, it is very pro∣bable that Bauhinus in his Prodromus doth meane this plant, it commeth so nere unto it which he there calleth Hieracium capillacco flore, for he saith it better agreeth to a Scorsonera then Hieracium. The last Alpinus setteth forth under the same title it hath, some doe call them Ʋiperaria and Ʋiperina, and some Serpentina.

The Ʋertues.

Bauhinus saith that the rootes of the Spanish kinde, hath in their naturall places some bitternesse, which if it be so (for I never saw such) is not perceived in those that have growne many yeares in our land, it is very likely that the temperature of the Climate, doth alter in some part the bitternesse thereof; but Monardus writeth, that those that grow in Spaine are somewhat sweete in taste like a Parsneppe, and may be eaten in the same manner, the roote hereof saith Monardus, whether raw or dressed, or condited, as also the juice of the herbe taken by themselves, or with any other cordiall or Counterpoyson, doth not onely helpe the biting of that so venemous: Serpent the Escuersos, but of the Viper, and all other virulent creatures, the water distilled in glasses, is a pre∣sent remedy for all contagious fevers, for by causing sweate the infection is evaporated, and the sicke person re∣stored, the same also or the roote it selfe taken, is good against the passions and tremblings of the heart, as also against swounings, sadnes, & melancholy: the roote preserved and taken fasting, or the said water drunke for some dayes together, doth open the obstructions of the liver, spleene, and the other inward part, as also helpeth to bring downe womens courses, and to ease the suffocation, or other diseases of the mother whatsoever, for in those feminine griefes it hath a very powerfull effect as hath beene often and certainely found true; it is also very good against the swimming or turning of the braine, and all other paines in the head, it is also very condi∣all both to strengthen the vitall spirits, when they are much subject to faint or swoune, as also against melancholy or sadnesse, that ariseth without manifest cause, if the clarified juice of the herbe be set in the Sunne for certaine dayes, and the purer liquor thereof mixed with a little hony, be dropped into the eyes, it both cleareth and strengthneth the sight, and taketh away the spots and blemishes in them. The rootes preserved with Sugar, are not onely very pleasant to the taste, but effectuall for many of the aforesaid griefes.

CHAP. XXVIII. Tragopogon. Goates beard.

ALthough it is not certainely knowne, that the Goates beardes have the like Alexipharmicall proper∣ty, to expell venome and poyson, as the Scorsoneras or Vipers grasses, yet because they are so like unto them in outward forme and manner of growing, they being but as species ejusdem generis, the Tra∣gopogon, or Goates beard, being the standard or genus, and herein principally differing, that all the Tragopogons are but annual, or perishing after they have borne seede, and all the sorts of Scorsonera, living after seede time many yeares. I have thought it not amisse to joyne them in neighbourhood as they be in kindred, whereof there be sundry sorts, some delivered in my former worke, others here to be expressed, and of them some not written of by any before.

1. Tragopogon aestivum. Sommer Goates beard.

The Sommer Goatesbeard, (which I so call because it is but annuall, to be sowen in the Spring, and perishing in the end of Sommer, when it hath given seed) is a small Plant, rising up with one stalke little above a foote high, whereon grow three or foure long and narrow leaves, yet shorter then in any of the other, that hath beene described in my former booke, broader at the bottome then they, and growing lesse by little and little to the end, of a pale greene colour, with a whitish ribbe in the middle: the stalke brancheth out into two or three parts, each of them bearing a large greene head, wherein is contained a small flower, of a pale purplish ashco∣lour, opening onely in the morning, and shutting up before noone, the long pointed ends of the huske or head, rising above the flower, which is not usuall in most of the other Goats beards; which being past the head grow∣eth greater, having the outermost seedes greater and thicker then the rest, spreading one from another, with no downe at all at the ends of them, but the smaller seede being in the middle, are smaller then any of the other, the roote is somewhat long wooddy, perishing before winter, and yeeldeth but a very little shew of milke, when the leaves are broken, or the rootes being young.

2. Tragapogon minus luteum. Small yellow Goates beard.

The small yellow Goates beard, hath a small slender stalke, about a foote high, with very few leaves thereon, which are somewhat long and narrow, as it were dented but rather waved about the edges, and of a pale greene colour, at the toppe of the stalke standeth one green head, like other Goats beards with pointed ends, enclo∣sing a large flower of a pale yellow colour, (like unto the greater yellow kinde, which yeeldeth small seed with downe at the endes of them, and spreading in the same manner, the roote is somewhat long, and yeeldeth milke as the other doth.

3. Tragopogon laciniatum majus. The greater Goats beard with jagged leaves.

This jagged Goats beard hath his first leaves, long, narrow, and smooth at the edges, like unto the pulple Goats

[illustration]

1. Tragopogon aestivum. Sommer Goats beard.

3. Tragopogon lac niatum majus. The greater Goats beard with jagged leaves.

beard, long and narrow at the bottome, and broader to∣wards

[illustration]

Tragopogon purpureum. Purple Goatsbeard.

the ends, but those that rise up afterwards, and those that grow next unto them upon the stalke, are jagged or torne as it were on the edges, on both sides in some leaves, and in some but upon the one, in some also more divided, and others lesse, of a paler greene colour underneath then above; the stalke riseth up to be about two foote high, with such leaves but smal∣ler on it to the toppe, but lesse divided, and the uppermost not at all, where it is branched into three or foure smaller parts, e∣very one bearing a small greene head, like unto the ordinary kinde, not having any pointed leaves rising up, as is in the pur∣ple and some other sorts, enclosing within it a smaller yellow flower, then the ordinary yellow sort, opening in the mor∣ning, and shutting at noone, which being past, there commeth such like seede, but smaller and not rough, the roote is long and blackish on the outside, and white within, yeelding milke as others doe, and perishing after seede time, as others doe.

4. Tragopogon laciniatum minus. The lesser Goats beard with jagged leaves.

This lesser kinde, shooteth forth from a long and some∣what thicke roote, brownish on the outside, divers long and very narrow leaves, more finely cut in on the edges, and into farre smaller parts then the former, among which riseth up the stalke a foote and a halfe high or better, with some such like leaves thereon, but smaller, and lesse divided at the toppe where it is divided into three or foure branches, with every one a flower on them, like unto the last, but of a paler yellow colour, standing in greene heads, without beardes, as most of the sorts of yellow Goats beards doe, and after yeeldeth the like head of long rough seede, with downe at the ends of them as others doe.

5. Tragopogon luteum angustifolium. Common Goats beard with narrow leaves.

This Goatsbeard is very like unto the common yellow kind, but that it is not so great, nor riseth up so high, and hath much narrower, or rather grasse like leaves, and almost as long, the flowers are not so large, nor so thicke of leaves, and give the like seede.

6. Tragopogon hirsutum humile. Small rough Goats beard.

This likewise differeth not much from the last, but that it is lower, and the leaves are not so long and nar∣row, but a little broader, shorter, and rough withall, on both edges set with haires, as in the hairy wood grasse, the flowers are small and yellow like the last, but lesser, and so is both seede and roote.

7. Tragopogon luteum Apulum. Goats beard of Naples.

This Goats beard of Naples, hath many very long narrow leaves, somewhat broader then the next small pur∣ple kind, but somewhat hairy, some of them growing upright, and others bending downewards, among which a stalke riseth scarse higher then the leaves, bearing a large greene bearded huske, contrary to all other, with yellow flowers, containing a flower which consisteth of many yellow short leaves, more like a Hawke-weed, then a Goats beard, which passeth with the downe at the seed like others, and not halfe so great but yellowish, and smaller at the lower end, where others are greater.

8. Tragopogon crocifolium purpureum. Small purple Goats beard.

This small purple Goats beard hath many very long and narrow leaves, lying on the ground at the head of the roote, the stalke divideth it selfe into three or foure reddish branches, set with some leaves thereon, all of them narrower then grasse leaves, very like unto the narrow long leaves, of the manured or English Saffron, with a white line downe the middle of them, and hard in handling, each of the branches bearing a bearded greene ••be, with a darke purple flower therein, dented at the endes of the leaves thereof, and having yellow threds sprink∣led with meale as it were in the bottome of them, as the greater purple flower hath, and openeth but in the mor∣ning, and closeth at noone in the same manner, after which come the seede, spreading into a round globe or head, with the downe at the ends of them, as in the greater, the roote is great and long, yeelding milke as the others.

9. Tragopogon Apulum suave rubeus. Rose coloured Goats beard.

The Rose coloured Goats beard sendeth forth many long and narrow leaves like unto Grasse, with a white li•• in the middle of them, smooth and gentle, if you take them upwards, but as rough as Barly leaves, stroaking them downewards, and broadest at the setting to of the stalke, which is two foote high, scarsely dividing it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into any branches, but beareth at the toppe one large and great head, in respect of the Plant, parted into eight long leaves or beardes, in the middle thereof is the flower, consisting of tenne or twelve leaves, of a pale pur∣ple or blush colour, neere unto a Damaske Rose, having divers blackish blew threds in the middle of them with a mealy dust upon them, which being past, the head or huske groweth somewhat narrow, with a long necke, containing within it the seed, which is not fashioned into a round globe, with downe at the head of the seedes, as in all the former except the first, it hath five longer and greater seedes on the outside, with little or no downe at the ends of them, and the lesser in the middle, with a little downe at the ends, which are yellowish and smooth but the least of all other: the roote is long and slender, even the smallest of all, white downewards and somewhat

hard but more reddish at the toppe. This is very like the former or annuall Goates beard if it be not the same. Camerarius in his Hortus Medicus maketh mention of one with a white flower,* 1.17 which I never saw yet nor heard of by any other.

The Place.

The first was sent me out of Italy among other seedes, but from whence they had it I know not. The second as Bauhinus saith groweth about Mompelier, and so doth the fourth also. The third groweth in many places, both in Italy and Spaine, for I had seedes thereof out of Spaine, by my friend Boelus that gathered them: the fift I found in the Medowes about London, and other places of our land, but not so plentifully as our greater yellow kinde: the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth, grow on the hills in Naples, as Columna recordeth, both in his Phytobasanos, and stirpium minus cognitarum historia.

The Time.

These doe flower about the time of the others, which is in the end of May, or in Iune, and the seede is ripe soon after: but all of them, except the first, doe abide greene the first Winter after it is sowen, or doth rise of its owne sowing, and flowreth and seedeth the next yeare after: but the first as I said, flowreth and seedeth the same yeare, and must be new sowen every yeare, for I never k••nw it spring from any seede, that it shed it selfe.

The Names.

It is called in Greeke, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Tragopogon, Barba hirci and Barbula hirci, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Barba senis, quod a calyce semina promiscae hirci vel senis barbae instar pendent; so say both Dioscorides and Theo∣phrastus. The first came to me with the same name, I have set with it in the title Tragopogon aestivum: the second Bauhinus calleth Tragopogon folio oblongo sinuato: the third, both Anguillara mentioneth, calling it Acorus Theo∣phrasti as he saith others did, and Fabius Columna in his Phytobasanos Tragopogon laciniatis folijs. The fourth Bauhinus calleth Tragopogon tenuissime laciniatum. The fift is called by Tabermontanus Barbula hirci minor, and by Bauhinus Tragopogon gramineo folio radice villosa. The sixt Columna calleth Tragopogon Apulum hirsutum humile; and Bauhinus Tragopogon hirsutum. The seventh Columna calleth Tragopogon Apulum humile hirsutum luteum: the eighth Columna also calleth Tragopogon crocifolium montanum flore nigro purpureo, and Bauhinus Tragopogon purpuro carule∣um crocifolium. The last is called by Columna Tragopogon gramineo folio suave rubente flore. Some have doubted that this is not the Tragopogon of Dioscorides and Theophrastus, because the leaves of the most of them are greater than the leaves of the Saffron, but notwithstanding it is generally taken to be the right, because of the head of seede, which agreeth so well thereto, as no plant else can doe the like; and besides Columna hath set forth some of those before recited, which agreeth better with Dioscorides and Theophrastus Saffron leaves, than any of the rest, which therefore he taketh to be the truest. It is called in Italian Saffifrica; and with some Sassifica, and barba di becco: in Spanish Barba Cabrona, and Barba di Cabron: in French Barba de bouc: in High Dutch Bocksbart: in Low Dutch Boexbaert ende Iosephs bloemen: in English Goates beard, and goe to bed at Noone, or Noone tide, and of some Starre of Ierusalem, and others after the Dutch word Iosephs flower: of some also Saxifrage.

The Ʋertues.

The rootes of the greater wild yellow kinde chiefely, as also of the other kindes here set forth, being dressed as a Parsneppe, is more delicate and pleasant to the taste in eating: the rootes boyled and dressed (or as some do eate them raw) is a fine sallet likewise to be eaten cold, and are very acceptable to the stomacke, helping to strengthen them that are growing into a consumption, or are become spare and leane by some long sicknesse: the distilled water saith Tragus, is the most present remedy that is to helpe inward impostumes (such as is the Pleurisie) and all other paines and stitches in the sides: the Italians use it much and often against all the griefes of the stomacke, both to take away the heart burne as we call it (which is an hot and sharpe humour in the stomacke fretting and paining it) and doth helpe also in a dejected appetite, to incite and stirre it up, as also against the defects of the breast or liver, and to helpe to expell gravell and the stone from the reynes, kidneies, and bladder, whereof the name Sassifrica, which is as much as breakestone, declareth the propertie: some doe hold opinion, that the purple and ashcoloured kindes being more bitter, astringent and abstersive, have a more binding and clensing qualitie than the others, and are therefore onely to be used for medicament, and the others as nutriment, and that they onely are effectuall to all the purposes before recited.

CHAP. XXIX. Echium. Wilde Buglosse, or Vipers Buglosse.

CLusius that painefull and industrious searcher of plants, hath given us the knowledge of many more sorts of Vipers Buglosse as he hath done of many other plants, than any before him; whereof I meane: to en∣treate in this place, and with them some others also.

1. Echium vulgare. The common Vipers Buglosse.

The common Vipers Buglosse hath many long rough leaves, lying on the ground, from among which rise up divers hard round stalkes, very rough, as if they were thicke set with prickles or haires, wherein are set, such like long rough hairie or prickly sad greene leaves, somewhat narrow, the middle ribbe for the most part being white: the flowers stand at the toppe of the stalkes, branched forth into many long spiked leaves of flowers bowing or turning like the Turnesole, all of them opening for the most part on the one side, which are long and hollow turning up the brimmes a little, of a purplish violet colour, in them that are fully blowne, but more reddish while they are in the budde, and not blowen open, as also upon their decay and whithering, but in some places of a paler purple colour, with along pointell in the middle, fethered or parted at the toppe: after the flowers are fallen, the seedes (growing to be ripe, and enclosed in round heads) are blackish, cornered and pointed somewhat like unto the head of a Viper: the roote is somewhat great and blackish and wooddy, when it groweth toward seede time, and perisheth in the Winter.

2. Echium vulgare flore albo. White flowred Vipers Buglosse.

There is little difference in any thing betweene this and the former, but in the colour of the flowers, which•• this is of a white colour wholly, and the leaves of a little fresher greene colour, and in some places groweth greater.

3. Echium flore rubro. Red flowred Vipers; Buglosse.

The red wilde Buglosse is also like the former, but that his hairy stalkes are sometimes marked with purplish spots, and the leaves thereof somewhat broader: the flowers which stand in the same crooked and bowing man∣ner, upon short foote stalkes, are of a brave red colour, and in some a little paler: the seede and rootes are alike and differ not.

4. Echium pullo flore. Vipers Buglosse with darke reddish purple flowers.

This wilde Buglosse hath shorter stalkes, and not so rough, but rather soft and woolly, whereon stand leaves, more thinnely placed, and without order: toward the toppe of the stalkes it brancheth forth into divers short sprayes, with some flowers on them, but not so plentifully as in the former, and are of a dead or darke blackish purpler colour: there is no disagreement either in seede or roote.

5. Echium Creticum latifolium rubrum. Red flowred Vipers Buglosse of Candy.

This Candy wilde Buglosse, hath large rough leaves lying on the ground, of a sise betweene Buglosse and Plan∣tane leaves, betweene whom riseth up round rough stalkes, two foote high, sometimes divided into many bran∣ches, with divers rough smaller leaves on them to the toppes, which are bowing in the same manner with the former, from whence grow holllow flowers, ending in five cornered brimmes like unto the rest, of an excellent pale red or blush colour at the first, and more purplish afterwards, standing in rough huskes, made of five small leaves a peece: the seede that followeth is like the rest.

6. Echium Creticum angustifolium rubrum. Spotted Vipers Buglosse of Candy.

This spotted wilde Buglosse hath rougher leaves and stalkes than the last, rising not fully so high, but both stalkes and leaves marked with red spots, almost as much as the stalkes of Dragons, but the spottes on the leaves are paler than on the stalkes: the leaves are very long, but narrower than the last: the flowers stand in the same manner that the others doe, of so orient a red colour, that they will not lose it, but keepe their bravery after many yeares keeping drie: in the rest it is like the former.

7. Echium pumilum flore luteo. Dwarfe yellow Vipers Buglosse.

This dwarfe kinde is in all things like the former Vipers Buglosse, but in the smallnesse of the whole plant, not growing to be a foote high: the leaves likewise are thereunto answerable, and so are the flowers also, of a pale yellow colour but not so bushie as it.

8. Echioides lutea minima. The least yellow bastard Vipers Buglosse.

This little bastard wilde Buglosse, hath divers leaves lying upon the ground, not above two inches long, and

[illustration]

1. Echium vulgare. The common Vipers Buglosse.

3. Echium flore rubro. Red flowred Vipers Buglosse.

[illustration]

4. Echium pullo flore. Vipers Buglosse with darke reddish flowers.

11. 12. Echium Creticum album & nigrum. Hoary white and blacke Vipers Buglosse of Candy.

not full halfe an inch broad, thicke, rough, and a little hard, but those that grow upward upon the stalke which is a foote high, are somewhat broader, rough and whitish, the leaves that grow towards the toppes being marked with yellowish purple spots: the toppe of the stalke is branched, and beareth small yellow long hollow flowers, like the other; the seede contained in the huskes are small, foure for the most part set together in a head or huske, and somewhat like the rest: the roote is small and somewhat long, browne on the outside, and white within.

9. Echioides parva alba. The small white Vipers Buglosse.

This small white wilde Buglosse, is in most things like unto the last, but that the leaves have no spots upon them, and the flowers are pale almost white: the seede differeth not, but the roote is very small and threddy, yet browne as the other.

10. Echium Hispanicum flore calcari donato. Small Spanish Vipers Buglosse with spurres.

This small plant which Bauhinus referreth unto the kindes of wilde Buglosse, because I am not well acquainted with it, must passe as he hath called it, and that you may know it, he thus describeth it; from a wooddie fibrous browne coated roote, rise divers round and somewhat hairie stalkes, some of an hand breadth long, and others shorter bending downewards, compassed with a few thicke leaves, like unto the mountaine Speedewell but thic∣ker and rougher: the flowers that grow at the tops, are hollow, long, and ending in foure brimmes like unto the other sorts, but of a blew colour, having a spurre or taile behind, like those of Todeflaxe: the seede is long, rough, and blacke like the other.

11. Echium Creticum album. Hoarie white Vipers Buglosse of Candy.

This Candy plant hath many thicke long and narrowish hoary leaves, somewhat like those of Alkonet, set full of sharpe haires, from whence rise sundry small hand-high stalkes, round and rough likewise with a few smal∣ler leaves sparsedly set thereon, at whose toppes stand tufts of yellow flowers in small long rough huskes unto whom small white seede doe succeede of the likenesse of Vipers heads, and of the bignesse of wheate cornes: the roote is long blacke small and woddie, divided into other smaller partes.

12. Echium Creticum nigrum. Blacke Vipers Buglosse of Candy.

This daintie Candie Buglosse groweth high with many sharpe prickly thicke stalkes bending downewards set full of thicke long leaves as sharpely set with prickly haires as the stalkes, and ending in a sharpe point: at the toppes of the stalkes, and likewise at the joynts with the leaves, come forth faire large bell flowers with open brimmes, some of them being blew, either pale or deepe, others more purple with foure or five small threds in their middles, after whose fading rise blacke Viperhead-like seede in long cods, or seede vessells; from whence the name of that, was imposed to distinguish it from the other with white seede; it hath a single long white roote of a thombes bignesse, and small at the end: the whole plant is of little sent, but of a sweetish sharpe taste.

The Place.

The first groweth wilde almost every where. The second about the Castle walles of Lewes in Sussex. The third and fourth in Hungary, and Austria. The fifth and sixth in Candy. The seaventh and tenth in Spaine. The eighth and ninth on the hils in the Kingdome of Naples, as Columna reporteth. The eleventh and twelfth in Candy.

The Time.

They all flower in Sommer, and their seede is quickely ripe after.

The Names.

It is called in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Echium, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Alcibiadion, and Alcibion, or Alcibiacum, of the first finder thereof, who being bitten by a Viper, gathered this herbe, and chewing it, and swallowing downe the juice, and applying the rest of the herbe to the bitten place, freed himselfe from danger, Apuleius saith it was cal∣led 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 theriorrhizon, Viperee radix and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from the forme of the seede, which as Dioscorides saith is like the head of a Viper, and thereof tooke the name Echium, yet some others say from the effects in the rootes, to cure the bitings of the Viper, in Latine also Echium, of most Authours, yet of some Buglossum silvestre viperinum, & Serpentaria, and some also tooke it for Anchusa, as Thalius, and Caesalpinus, and under that name saith the seede of the Candy sorts were sent him. Cordus on Dioscorides called the first Lycopsis and Lonicerus Buglossum sylvestre. Camerarius and Matthiolus mention the second, Clusius the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, and the seventh in his Curae posteriores, Columna the eighth, and ninth, and Bauhinus the tenth, under their severall titles as they are here expressed, the two last by Alpinus in his booke de plantis exoticis. It is called of the Italians Echis, and Buglossa Salvatica. Of the Spaniards Yerva di las bivoras. Of the French Borrache sauuage, and L'herbe aux viperes. Of the Germans wild ocksen song. Of the Dutch men wild ossentonghe. In English wild Buglosse, and Vipers Buglosse.

The Ʋertues.

It is as you have heard, by the first finder out of it, an especiall remedy against the biting of the Viper, and of all other Serpents or venemous creatures, as also against poyson and poysonfull herbes, it is added further by Dioscorides and others, that whosoever shall take of the herbe or roote, before they be bitten, shall not be hurt by the poyson of any Serpent. And I thinke from this and some other the like qualities in herbes, to heale the diseases, whereof some forme may be seene in them, hath come the application of many other, whose formes have beene imagined to have beene found in them, which they call Signaturae plantarum, whereof Crollius in his Basilica chymica, hath given demonstration of all the parts of the body, from the head to the foote, and more∣over of many the diseases of the body, and of divers other things, whereof they that will reade his worke may be better informed that desire the knowledge thereof; the rootes or seedes, are thought to be most effectuall for the foresaid causes, as also to comfort the heart, and to expell sadnesse, and causelesse Melancholy, it tempers the blood, and allayes the hot fits of agues, the seede drunke in wine procureth aboundance of milke in womens brests; the same also being taken, easeth the paines in the loines, backe, and kidneies, the distilled water of the herbe, when it is in his chiefest strength, that is in flower is excellent to be applyed inwardly or outwardly, for all the griefes aforesaid. There is a syrupe made hereof, very effectuall for the comforting of the heart, and ex∣pelling sadnesse and melancholly, which is made in this manner. Take of the clarified juice of the com∣mon wilde or Vipers Buglosse foure pound, of fine Sugar three pound, of the infusion of the flowers thereof one pound, boyle these gently unto the consistence of a syrupe, which keepe by you, to use as you shall have cause. But because it is somewhat hard to presse forth this juice, by reason of the sliminesse thereof, it is fit that after you have beaten the herbe well, you set it close covered in a cold cellar, or other cold, and moist place for two daies and nights, and then wring or presse forth the juice, and clarifie it with the whites of egges beaten, and passed gently of it selfe, through a thicke Hippocras bagge; and because many know not how to make the infusion, before spoken of rightly as it should be, it is thus. Gather of the flowers of the said wild Buglosse, a good quantity, which you shall put into a pot, with some water, being made boyling hot aforehand, stoppe the pot close untill it be cold, and then wring forth the infusion; you may renew the infusion, by putting in fresh flowers as before, once or twice more, if you will have it strong of the flowers.

CHAP. XXX. Fraxinella sive Diptamnus albus. False white Dittany.

I Have given you the descriptions of all the sorts of false Bastard Dittany, or white Dittany, in my former Booke, whereunto I referre you. I shall onely here exhibite the figure and amplifie the Vertues.

Fraxinella may more fitly be called false white Dittany, then bastard Dittany, because there is one already set forth in the first Tribe or Classis by the name of Pseudodictamnus, Bastard Dittany, least two herbes should be called by one name, and then neither should be well understood when they were called for: distinct epithites is most requisite therefore to avoid confusion.

The Ʋertues.

The false white Dittany then is heating and drying, the rootes which are most in use doe attenuate or make thin grosse humours, it openeth obstructions, provoketh the menstrnes and urine, and clenseth that which is foule and contagious. It is very effectually both against poyson, and the venome of Serpents, and other poysonfull creatures, and against the pestilence, and other contagious diseases, to take a dramme or two of the powder of the roote in wine or broth: the same also taken, killeth the wormes of the belly, breaketh the stone, causing it to avoid in the u∣rine, it warmeth and cleanseth the matrixe, expelleth the dead childe, and after-birth, if the part be fu∣migated with it and Penniroyall, or taken in Wine: it easeth the paines and torments in the inward parts or bow∣els, and healeth inward hurts and wounds: it is much commended against the Epilepsie or falling sicknesse, and o∣ther cold griefes of the head and braines, and is hel•• to be of great good use against the French disease, to use it with the decoction of Guaiacum.

[illustration]

Fraxinella vulgaris. The most common false white Dittany.

CHAP. XXXI. Galega. Goats Rue.

BEcause this herbe is so effectuall against all infecti∣ons,

[illustration]

1. Galega sive Ruta Capraria. Goats Rue.

I could do no lesse then insert it here, and take it from the other leguminous plants, where it might be placed, which otherwise I would not have done; and hereunto I must adjoyne another, for the neerenesse, both for forme and vertues.

1. Galega vulgaris. Common Goats Rue.

The common or most usuall Goats Rue, sendeth forth many round hard stalkes, foure or five foote high, whereon grow one above another at severall joynts, long winged leaves, that is, many leaves set on each side of a middle ribbe, which are small yet somewhat broad and long, and pointed at the end, smooth on the edges without any dentes, somewhat like unto the leaves of Vitches, and of a faint greene colour, at the toppes of the stalkes stand many small Leguminous flowers, one above another, of a pale blewish purple colour, and in some plants pure white, after which come small round pods, about an inch and a halfe long, a little bunched out in some places, but no∣thing so much as the Orobus or bitter Vetch, wherein lie three or foure or five small pale seede like unto a Vetch: the roote is white and wooddy, spreading well in the ground, and abiding divers yeares.

2. Galega montana Dalechampij. Mountaine Goats Rue.

This other Goats Rue shooteth forth divers round hard stalkes, nothing so high as the former, whereon groweth such a like winged leafe at every joynt, but broader and thicker set together, smooth also on the edges, but having the middle

ribbe of every leafe, raised up a little high: at the toppe of the stalkes stand divers such like flowers as the for∣mer, but all on one side of a pale colour, tending to yellow, which afterward yeeld small, long, blackish pods, wherein lie small flattish seede, like unto Lentills: the roote is somewhat great and blacke, sending forth very long strings, whereby it fasteneth it selfe deepe in the ground.

The Place.

The first groweth commonly wilde by the way sides of moist fields and medowes, both in Italy, Savoy and o∣ther places; as also found of late growing wilde in the Medowes by Linton in Cambridge shire: the other not but upon the toppes of mountaines, where any plaines are found.

The Time.

They flower in the end of Iune and Iuly, and the seede is ripe in August.

The Names.

This herbe hath not beene knowne to the ancient Authors; and therefore hath no name, but is usully called in Latine Galega or Ruta Capraria, for they that first found it and the vertues, gave that name of Ruta thereunto, as finding it no lesse effectuall than the best Rue: some call it Gralega, and some Herba Gallica as Fracastorius: and of some Capraria: the Florentines call it Lavanese; in other parts of Italy it hath divers other names as Gesner saith Castracane, Lavanna, Thorina or Taurina, Martanica, Sarracena, Capragina, Herbanese, and Giarga as Brasa∣volus saith. Some with us call it Italian Vetch, but most commonly Goates Rue. The other Lugdunensis calleth Galega montana; and Bauhinus referreth it to the Orobus Pannonicus of Clusius, which it cannot be, for he saith it perisheth every yeare; and also to the Arachus latifolius of Dodonaeus, which it cannot be neither, for Dodonaeus saith, his Arachus is called of divers Ervum Venetum, which differeth little or nothing at all from Clusius his first Orobus Pannonicus, so that in this, as in very many other things, he is much mistaken.

The Ʋertues.

Goates Rew is most effectuall against the bitings or stings of any venemous creature, yea those Italians and o∣thers (as Pena and Lobel say) that use to gather Vipers (which are certainely Adders with us, by the judgement of the best) doe account it more effectuall to preserve them being bitten or stung, than any Treakle of the best making, or to defend them from any other infection, and therefore eare it continually, as other herbes in sallets or otherwise in their meates and brothes. It is no lesse powerfull and effectuall against poison then the plague or pe∣stilence, or any infectious or pestilentious fevers or diseases, that breake forth into spots or markes, as the measells, purples, and the small pocks, in all which it is admirable, what effects it worketh, both to preserve from the infe∣ction, and to cure them that are infected, to take every morning some of the juice thereof, as also to eate the herbe it selfe, every morning fasting, but it will be the more effectuall if the juice be taken with a little good Treakle and some Tormentill rootes in powder, mixed with Cardus benedictus water, or with some vinegar and fine Bole∣armonicke, and Treakle in the said water, and presently to sweat two houres thereupon, which it causeth also in some sort it selfe, and may be used as well when any is infected, as when any feare themselves to be infected with the plague; a spoonefull also of the juice given in a morning fasting, is very effectuall to kill the wormes in children, or the herbe it selfe fried with a little oyle of bitter Almons, and laid hot unto the navell, as also to helpe the falling sicknesse before it grow strong, and old upon them; it is very profitably applied to the belly pained with gripings of winde and the collicke, being fried and laid to warme: in the same manner also laid upon plague sores before they be broken, either disperseth them (yet defending the heart, not striking it in∣wardly) or draweth them forth, and healeth them: it is also effectually applied with vinegar to gangrene••, running ulcers and sores, to stay the malignitie of them in their fretting and spreading, and to defend the vital spirits from danger: it is held also to be very cordiall to preserve the heart from palpitations, tremblings and swounnings, and against melancholike vapours oppressing it. Some use a Syrupe made of the juice, and some of the distilled water as a more familiar medecine, to take upon all occasions inwardly, for all the purposes afore∣said; and some use to make an oyle of the flowers digested in the Sun, by often repetitions of infusion to make the wrests of the hands where the pulse is felt, as also the region of the heart, to defend it from the diseases afore∣said, and danger of infection: it is no lesse effectuall for Sheepe, Goates, and Cattle, for from the experience of Goat-heards therein, came the name of Capraria added unto it: it fatteneth hennes also wonderfully, and cau∣seth them to lay egges the more plentifully. The other Mountaine Goates Rew, is held also almost as effectuall against poyson and infection of the plague as the other.

CHAP. XXXII. Phalangium. Spiderwort.

THere are divers sorts of Spiderworts, some of antient knowledge, others of later accesse, of all which I have given the descriptions in my former Book, which although I meane not to repeate here again; yet I thinke it not amisse both to give you some of their names & figures, and to set downe their ver∣tues. It is thought it tooke the name 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Phalangium and Phalangites from the forme of the seede vessells, others from the forme of the leaves like to that Spiders legges in going, but more certainely I thinke from the propertie of curing the dangerous poison of that great Spider: For which purpose both Dioscorides and Galen doe commend the flowers, leaves, and seedes of it, as also against the veru∣lencie of Scorpions and other Serpents, and to discusse the torments that rise from their hurts or otherwise. The names of those described are these Phalangium Allobrogicum: The Savoy Spiderwort: Phalangium majus Italian•• album. The greater Italian Spiderwort. Phalangium non ramosum vulgare. Vnbranched Spiderwort. Phalangium ramosum. Branched Spiderwort. Phalangium Ephemerum Ʋirginianum Iohannis Tradescanti. The soone fading Spiderwort of Ʋirginia, or Iohn Tradescants Spiderwort of Ʋirginia, which is of a deepe purplish blew colour, whereunto may be added of later knowledge one with a white flower, and another with a reddish or Carnation.

[illustration]

Phalangium ramosum. Branched Spiderwort

Phalangium non ramosum. Vnbranched Spiderwort.

CHAP. XXXIII. Petasites vulgaris. The Butter burre.

THE Butter burre is of two sorts, the one grea∣ter

[illustration]

Petasites vu••garis. The common Butter burre.

the other lesser, differing also in the flowers, as you shall heare: but because they are so like one another, one discription shall serve for them both. Each of them riseth up very early in the yeare, that is, in February, with a thicke stalke about a foote high, whereon are set a few small leaves, or rather peeces, and at the toppes a long spiked head of flowers, in the one which is the lesse and the more rare to finde, wholly white and of a better sent than the other (yet some say it hath no sent) in the greater which is more common with us of a blush or deepe red colour according to the soile wherein it groweth, the clay ground bringing a paler colour somewhat weake, & before the stalke with the flowers have abidden a moneth above ground will be withered and gon, blowen away with the winde, and the leaves will beginne to spring, which when they are full growne are very large and broad, that they may very well serve to cover the whole body, or at the least the head like an Ʋmbello from Sunne and Raine, being somewhat thinne and almost round, whose thicke red foote stalkes about a foote long, stand toward the middle of the leaves; the lower parts being divided into two round parts close almost one to another, and of a pale greene colour above, and hoary underneath, that with white flowers bringing smaller leaves than the other, and having divers ribbes and veines therein: the roote is long and spreading under ground being in some places no beg∣ger than ones finger, in others much bigger, blackish on the outside, and white within, of a bitter and unpleasant taste.

The Place and Time.

Both these sorts grow in low and wet grounds by rivers and waters sides, their flowers, as is said, rising and decaying, that is, in February or March before the leaves appeare in Aprill.

The Names.

It is called in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and Petasites also in Latine, deduced a Petaso, id est, magno galero ita ut vicum galeri supplere possit. Some take it to be Iphium of Theophrastus; and some to be Personata or Persolata of Pliny. Camerarius in horto calleth the more common mas, and the other faemina; but in his Epitome upon Matthiolus, he and Matthiolus call the greater sort Tussilago major. The Italians call it Capellazi; the Spaniards Sombrereta: the French Herbe aux tigneux; the Germans Pestilentz wurtz; the Dutch Dockbladeren.

The Ʋertues.

The rootes hereof are hot in the first degree, but as Galen saith drie in the third, and are by long experience found to be very availeable against the plague, and pestilentiall fevers by provoking sweat, if the powder thereof be taken in wine; as also resisteth the force of any other poyson; the roote hereof taken with Zedoaria and Ange∣gelica or without them helpeth the suffocation or rising of the mother: the decoction of the roote in wine being taken is singular good for those that wheese much and are short winded: it provoketh urine also and womens courses, and killeth the flat and broad wormes in the belly: the powder of the roote doth wonderfully helpe to drie up the moisture of sores that are hard to be cured and taketh away all spots and blemishes in the skinne.

CHAP. XXXIV. Polyrhizos Ʋirginiana. The rattle Snakeweeke of Ʋirginia.

THis plant of Virginia so certaine a remedy against the biting of that venemous rattle Snake, as they call it which breedeth in Ʋirginia, must not be forgotten among the rest, for it is a Counterpoison, to be compared, and I thinke preferred before any the foreremembred most soveraigne plants against poysons: whose description as farre forth, as hath yet come to our observation, is this: It riseth up with divers small square stalkes, spreading not much above halfe a foote long, whereon are set divers duskish hoary greene leaves, somewhat rugged as it were with many veines, and somewhat resembling the leaves of Pistolochia, whereunto it may be referred but smaller, set without order one at a joint: the flowers grow more at the bottome of the stalkes next the roote than on the branches as the Pistolochia doth, and are not much unlike it, but of a darke or sullen yellow colour, and somewhat lesse also; after which come very small heades with seede, somewhat like to the Pistolochia but lesser: the rootes are a number of very small blackish gray fibres or threds, as small almost as haires, which have both an aromaticall and resinous smell, when they are drie, more than when they are greene, and of an aromaticall resinous astringent taste, without any great or manifest heate.

[illustration]

Polyrhizos Virginiana. The rattle Snakeweede of Virginia.

The Place.

It groweth very frequent in the upper parts of our Ʋirginian plantation, in the fields and champion countries, where under the grasse and herbes, that venemous rattle Snake lurketh and abideth, ready to bite whomsoever shall come neare unto it.

The Time.

It flowreth with us in Iune and Iuly.

The Names.

This may very well be referred to the Pistolochia I said, but I have severed it being so notable an Antidote; but by what Latine name it might best be called, either Pistolochia Ʋirginensis, or as I doe Polyrhizos Ʋirginians; I leave it to every man to doe as he will, or untill a fitter Latine title may be given it, if it be thought expedient: our people in Virginia doe there call it the Snakeweede, or Snakeroote, and thereupon may be called Co∣lubrina

Ʋirginiana, I have kept the same English name, untill another of better respect may be given unto it. But there is a cornuted Cornutus that among his American plants, calleth this (a horne plague on his head for his la∣bour) Snagroel or Snagroel nothae Angliae, the envy was base, whereby he wrote so, yet would colour it in that he could not write true, but false English and Latine too, it were not amisse therefore that he were whipt at the schoole for it.

The Ʋertues.

It is both a most certaine and present remedy against the venome of the Rattle Snake, which is a Serpent of a large sise, farre greater then any Snake or Adder with us, having naturally under the throate, certaine loose hard skinny scales, which by motion grate one against another, making a creking noise, which our people called a rattle, not that it hath any rattle indeed, but this noyse it maketh, stirre it selfe never so little, yet usually it is so quicke and wary in leaping at any, that it doth it not but suddenly: Now the manner of the using hereof, is this (God of his goodnesse providing a remedy, out of the same place and ground, from whences the evill doth proceed,) as soone as any is bitten by that creature, (for oftentimes it happeneth that some are bitten, before they can avoid the Serpent, the manner of them being to leape suddenly upon one, that the rattle cannot be heard before they be bitten) they take of this herbe and chaw it in their mouthes, and swallow downe the juice there∣of, and also apply of the herbe to the wound or bitten place, which instantly cureth them; for being taken quickly after they be bitten, it doth so defend the inward parts, that the party feeleth not so much almost as any outward paine, much lesse any of those inward Symptomes, are incident to those that doe not presently use this remedy, this is the present helpe of the present hurt, but if it so happen that any being bitten, cannot get of this herbe in any reasonable time, he dyeth certainely, yet if within twelve houres after the biting; he doe use this remedy, it will assuredly recover him, but with more trouble and paine, and with longer time, before it hath wought a perfect cure, for it is evident, that the poyson of this Serpent pierceth the blood, which runneth with all the speed it can unto the heart, the chiefest fortresse of life and health, which being infected, death must ne∣cessarily and speedily follow, but if it be defended by the vertue and force of any medicine, it preserveth the one, and expelleth and untterly defeateth the intent of the other. The powder of the herbe and roote taken in wine or other drinke, hath beene found a certaine and present cure for the biting of a madde dogge: as also to cure both the quartaine ague within three times taking, viz. halfe a dramme, or if neede be a whole dramme at a time before the accesse of the fit, and any other ague, or pestilentian feaver, or the pestilence it selfe.

CHAP. XXXV. Alexipharmacum Indicum sive Contrayervae Hispanorum. The Indian Spanish Counterpoyson.

BEcause the roote of this herbe also is of as certaine a cure, to helpe all sorts of venome and poyson (as well of hurtfull beasts, as of herbes, rootes, &c. wherewith the Indians by dipping their ar∣row heads therein, did kill whomsoever they wounded,) as the former Virginian Plant, I thought fit to joyne it thereunto, although we have no more knowledge thereof, then what we may ga∣ther from seeing and observing the dryed rootes and from the relation thereof by Monardus, out of Petrus de Osma his letter to him, which is extant in his booke of the simple that are brought out of the new world, which Clusius translated out of the Spanish into the Latine tongue, and hath published it with other of his workes and joyned it to his booke of Exotickes.

[illustration]

Contrayerva Hispanorum sive Drakenaradix Clusij. The Indian Spanish Counterpoyson.

It hath saith Monardus, the roote of a Flower-deluce, and is of the smell of a Figgetree leafe: this is all the description that Monardus hath made of it: but Osma in his Epistle ma∣keth mention of the leaves to be like the Ribbewort Plan∣taine, Iosua Ferrus also wrote thereof as he saith to Mo∣nardus, to Dr. Tovar, and to Ʋaldes, and in his booke of se∣crets maketh mention thereof in two Chapters, the one is of Contrayerva, the other he entituleth de Contrayerva Bezoar, whereby he meaneth the herbe or roote that is found in the middle of a Bezoar stone when it is broken, which he accoun∣teth to be of more vertue then the stone it selfe, whereon it is engendred, but we in viewing many dryed rootes that came from Spaine unto us, have observed no good forme of any Flower-deluce in the roote, nor have seene any roote to ex∣ceed the bignesse of ones thumbe, and not one of many to be so great, but for the most part of the bignesse of a finger or lesse, and not any so long, but usually no longer then a joynt or two at the most, not so smooth on the outside as the roote of white Orris or the Flowerdeluce, but more rugged in all, & in some more knobbed, (that is, with small knobs or bunches sticking out all along the roote) then in others, which are of an even sise, and some againe are greater at the one end, and smaller at the other, divided as it were by little spaces, in the growing almost like the greater Figgewort roote, or the roote of Dentaria Coralloides, being of a yellowish browne colour on the outside, and in some more blacke, but wh••e on the inside, with many fibres or strings growing from them th•• roote lyeth or creepeth under the upper crust of th•• ••d like as the Flower-deluce, Tormentill, Bistort, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like

doe, and doth not grow downe right, like other sorts of rootes, and are a little warme or hot in taste upon the tongue, drawing water as Pellitory of Spaine, but nothing so hot nor sharpe, or drawing rheume so much, which is not well perceived, unlesse heedfully observed, neither doth the heate abide any long time after the chewing but is soone gone, leaving the roote almost like a dry chippe, without any manifest stipticity, astringency, or aromatirity, that I could perceive, although Monardus saith it hath, and judgeth it to be hot and dry in the second degree.

The Place.

It groweth saith Monardus in Charcas, and as Ferrus aforesaid, saith in Tonsaglia, provinces in Peru, in the West-Indies, and in some other places there, and from thence brought into Spaine, and so to other Countryes.

The Time.

We must abide the time to know further hereof, before we can declare it to any other.

The Names.

Monardus first wrote hereof from the intelligence he had by Osmus Letter to him, and called it Radices Ʋen••∣nis adversantes, and said the Spaniards called it Contrayerva, which is as much as Alexipharmacum, a counter∣poyson, or rootes resisting venome and poyson, especially of that wherewith the Indians, by dipping their arrow heads therein, killed both the Spaniards and other their enemies in their warres, and the wild beasts whom they hunted, and is the same also that Clusius calleth Drakena radix. I have given it the title of Alexipharmacum Indi∣cum sive Contrayerva Hispanorum, and in English the Indian Spanish Counterpoyson, from both places and pro∣perties.

The Vertues.

The rootes hereof (saith Monardus, Petrus de Osma and Iosua Ferras made into powder, and taken in white Wine is a most present remedy against all manner of venomes and poysons, of what kinde soever they be (excep∣ting Mercurie Sublimate onely, which is to be cured by drinking of no other thing but milke) by forcing the poyson upward by vomit, and avoiding and expelling it by sweating: the powder drunke in the same manner (they say) resisteth such charmes or the like witchery, that is used in such drinkes that are given to procure love. It likewise killeth the wormes of the belly, and is also good against agues, either tertian, quotidian, or quartaine, to be taken before the comming of the fit, which will not onely hinder or lessen the fit, but by continuing the use thereof, will utterly take them away. I have knowne some that have made a composition of the powders of this roote, Bezarstone and Scorsonera rootes made into a masse or lumpe, to be used upon occasion against poysons and infections of the Plague, or any other contagious disease, as the small pox, purples, measles, or other that raise spots in the flesh, and is a most soveraine cordiall, to preserve the heart and the vitall spirits from danger, and to expell it by sweating, &c. For the said Ferrus saith, that the Bezarstone is engendred in the beast that breedeth it by the vertue of this herbe which it eateth, and by the naturall disposition of the beast, some also adde unto that confection, some other things, as besides Scorsonera rootes, Bistort, Tormentill, or the like, as every ones af∣fection leadeth them more or lesse. Ferrus saith he made a tryall hereof with the best Treakle, and found it more effectuall for the diseases aforesaid. Againe he saith, that the Indians doe not eate the bodies of those they have slaine by their poysoned arrowes, untill they have lyen three or foure dayes with their wounds washed with the juice of this herbe, which rendereth them tender and fit to be eaten, which before were hard.

Vnto this Classis also should appertaine divers other Plants, but that some of them are already described, and set forth in my former Booke, as Mirabilia, &c. And of the Antidotes, or remedies against poyson, some are there also set forth, as Angelica, Carduus Benedictus, &c. And some likewise not onely in the first Tribe of this worke here before, as Chamapitys, &c. but in sundry other Classies, hereof, as they happen to be entreated of in their order.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Anemone triofolia Dodonaei.
• * 1.2

  Flore mul∣tiplici.
• * 1.3

  Flore pleno.
• * 1.4

  Flore pleno.
• * 1.5

  Bulbosus Auglicus.
• * 1.6

  Bulbosus flore rubro simplici.
• * 1.7

  Creticus latisolius.
• * 1.8

  Flore albo Flore mi∣niato.
• * 1.9

  Folij lati∣usculis.
• * 1.10

  Alterum Minus.
• * 1.11

  Alter.
• * 1.12

  Papaver sativum multopli∣ci flore.
• * 1.13

  Minu•• Flore pleno.
• * 1.14

  Alterum rotunda ra∣dice.
• * 1.15

  Aliud haad crenatis fo∣lis.
• * 1.16

  Centiana dubia An¦glica.
• * 1.17

  Flore Albe