Adam in Eden, or, Natures paradise the history of plants, fruits, herbs and flowers with their several names ... the places where they grow, their descriptions and kinds, their times of flourishing and decreasing as also their several signatures, anatomical appropriations and particular physical vertues together with necessary observations on the seasons of planting and gathering of our English simples with directions how to preserve them in their compositions or otherwise : ... there is annexed a Latin and English table of the several names of simples, with another more particular table of the diseases and their cures ... / by William Coles ...

CHAP. CLXVII. Of the Orenge-Tree.

The Names.

IT is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the fruits whereof, as is thought, were known unto the Ancients, and by them called Aurea mala Hesperidum, because in those dayes they grew hardly any where else; and were therefore guarded by a watchfull Dragon which Hercules slew, and brought with him some of the said fruit, which is by divers Latine Authors called Aurantia à corticis colore aureo; and by others Arantia▪ ab Arantiâ oppido Achaiae▪ & by some Pomum Narrantium; by Dodonaeus, Anarantium; and by Lobel, Malum aureum, which name is most sui∣table to them being Golden apples indeed. The flowers of the Orenge are called Napha, and the Oyntment made of them, Ʋnguentum ex Naphâ.

The Kinds.

There are five sorts of Orenge Trees. 1. The ordinary Orenge-Tree. 2. The Wild or Crab Orenge-Tree. 3. The Apple Orenge. 4. The Orenge without Seeds. 5. The dwarfe Orenge-Tree.

The Form.

The grafted or ordinary mannured Orenge-Tree groweth to a great stature▪ the lower part of which as also of the greater branches are covered with a rough bark but those which are lesser and younger, have a smooth green barke whereon are set some few sharpe, but short thorns. The Leaves are very like in forme to those of the Laurell-Tree, but may be easily distinguished, if they be bruised betweene ones finger, for then they sent forth a sweet smel, like unto the peele of the Orenge, and likwise by being full of small holes; the Flowers are whitish, and of a very strong sweet scent. The fruit hereof is round with a thick bitter rind, of a deepe yellowish red colour▪ having under it a soft white loose substance, and under that the juyce is contained in small skins, which in some is lesse sower then others. The seeds of it do somwhat resemble those of the Lemmon.

The Places and Times.

All the sorts above named do grow in the Coasts of Italy and the Islands there∣abouts, but especially in Spaine about Sivil, where the best Orenges grow, and are called by us Civil-Orenges, under which name the Women in London that sell a∣ny, comprehend the rest calling them all so, be they what they will. There be also Orenge-Trees that grow in England in the Gardens of the Earle of Northum∣berland at Sion-house neere Brainford, and of the Lord Lambert at Wimbleton. They hold their Leaves alwaies green and beare blossomes, greene and ripe fruit all the yeare through; but here in England the fruit will be two yeares, before it come to perfection. And to make it do so, the Trees must be set in great Boxes full of earth, so that they may be removed into the house in the Winter-time.

The Temperature.

Orenges are not wholly of one Temperature: for the rind is hot in the first de∣gree, and dry in the second; the juyce of them is cold in the second degree, and dry in the first. They are colder or hotter according to their sweetnesse or sowreness for the sowrer the juice is, the colder it is; and the sweeter, the more hot.

The Vertues

Orenge-Peele is as usefull in Physick as any part thereof, though it be common∣ly cast away as if it were good for nothing, yet it doth warme a cold Stomack very effectually, helping to breake the Wind that molesteth it, and causeth cold Phlegme to be voided from thence. And being condited or preserved with Honey or Su∣gar it warmeth the Stomack, mendeth a stinking breath, and helpeth digestion, and is used in Banquets with other sweetmeats, being also very effectuall for the strengthing of the Heart, and Spirits. The juice, and inner substance where the juice is, is very good against all contagions and corruptions of the aire, the Plague, and other hot Feavours; it comforteth the Heart, and especially the Mouth of the Stomack, and helpeth the weaknesse thereof. It is also profitable against the trembling of the Heart, pensive heavinesse, and Wambling of the Stomack; it re∣straineth

Vomiting, and taketh away loathing in Agues and such like diseases, it quencheth thirst, and so doth the Syrup thereof. The seeds withstand all Ve∣nome and Poyson, and are effectuall also to kill and expell Wormes. The Oynt∣ment that is made of the Flowers is often used to anoint the Stomacks of those which are troubled with a Cough, making the cold raw Phlegme to expectorate, and warming and comforting divers other places of the body. The distilled Water of the same Flowers is very odoriferous, and therefore fit for perfumes: Besides it is good against contagious diseases to drink thereof at sundry times, it helpeth also the cold and moist infirmities of the Mother. Such simples as serve both for the correction of Meates and Medicaments being thus treated of, I shall in the next place write of those that are more alimentall, and therefore not improper to be mentioned here, beginning with fruits, and then proceeding to Roots and Herbes.