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. XXXII. Of Wake-Robin, or Cuckow-point.

THe two last parts, to which I did endeavour to appropriate such Plants as were fittest for the remedying the distempers thereof, were the Eyes and the Ears. I come now to the Nose, and shall begin with an Herb, that not only helpeth it, but the parts aforesaid, which Janus-like, hath respect to what goes before, and what comes after.

The Names.

IT is called in Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; and in Latine Arum, and of some Pes Vituli, be∣cause the Leaf hath some resemblance with a Calves-foot: Some also call it Dracontea minor, and Serpentaria minor: Others again from the Figure of the Pestle, or Clapper in the middle of the Hose, call it Sacerdotis Penis, and Canis Priapus: Others, Aron, and Barba-Aron: In English, Wake-Robin, Cuckows-Pintle, Priests-Pintle, Ramp, Buckrams, and of some, Starchwort, be∣cause formerly Linnen was starched with it, and pure & white Starch is made of the Root of it, but such as is hurtful to the hands of the Landresse that useth it; for it choppeth, blistereth, and maketh the hands rough, and rugged, and with∣all, smarting. There is a kind of Arum, which is called, Ar••sarum, or Friars Cowle.

The Kindes.

Parkinson in his Chapter of Arum, reckoneth up these eight sorts, 1. Com∣mon-Wake-Robin, without spots. 2. Spotted Wake-Robin. 3. Round leafed Wake-Robin. 4. Wake-Robin of Constantinople. 5. Broad leafed Friars Cowl. 6. Long or narrow leafed Friars Cowl. 7. The Egyptian Culcas, or Wake-Ro∣bin, with a rounder and longer Root. 8. Dioscorides and Theophrastus their E∣gyptian

Bean, whose Root was called Colocasia, which he sets down to con∣fute the mistake of those, who take Arum and Colocasia to be the same:

The Forme:

Common Wake Robin shooteth forth some few Leaves from the Root, every one of which is somewhat large and long, broad at the bottom next the stalk, and forked; but ending in a point, without any dent or cut on the edges, of a full green colour, each standing upon a thick round stalk, of a hands breadth long or more; among which, after two or three moneths, that they begin to wither, riseth up a bare, round, whitish green stalk, spotted, and straked with Purple, somewhat higher then the Leaves; at the top whereof standeth a long hollow ••ose or Husk, close at the bottom, but open from the middle upwards, ending in a point; in the middle standeth a long slender Pestle, or Clapper, smaller at the bottom then at the top, of a dark Purple colour, as the husk is on the inside, though green without, which after it hath so abidden for some time, the husk with the Clapper, decayeth, and the foot or bottom thereof groweth to be a long slender bunch of Berries, green at the first, and of a yellowish red colour when they are ripe, of the bigness of an Hazel Nut Kernel, which abi∣deth thereon almost till winter. The Root is round, and somewhat long, for the most part lying along, the leaves shooting forth at the bigger end, which when it beareth, its Berries are somewhat wrinkled and loose: another grow∣ing under it, which is solid and firm, with many small threds hanging thereat.

The Place and Time.

The two first sorts grow frequently under Trees, and almost under every hedge side, throughout the Land. The third is found in some places of Germany. Clusius saith, the fourth came among divers other Roots, from Constantinople; the fifth, is found in Spain and Portugall, the sixth in Italy, the seventh in Candy. The last in Java and Surrat. The four first sorts shoot forth Leaves in the Spring, and continue but till the middle of Summer, or somewhat later, their Hoses or Husks appearing before they fall away, and their fruit shewing in Au∣gust. The fifth and sixth do shoot forth their green Leaves in Autumne, pre∣sently after the first frosts have pulled down the stalks with fruits, and abide green all the Winter, withering in Summer, before which their Husks appear. The seventh flowreth with his Hose and Clappers very late; even in the warm Countries, seldom before October or November, and the fruit doth there seldom come to perfection: the last flowreth, and beareth fruit in the Summer, as o∣ther Herbs do.

The Temperature.

Wake-Robin is hot and dry in the third Degree, yet Galen affirmeth, that it is more sharp and biting in some Countries, then in others.

The Signature and Vertues.

The Leaves of Wake-Robin, either green or dry, or the Juyce of them, doth cleanse all manner of rotten and filthy Ulcers, in what part of the body soever, and helpeth the stinking sores in the Nose, called Polypus. The water wherein the Roots hath been boyled, dropped into the Eyes, cleanseth them from any film or skin, Clouds or Mists, which begin to hinder the sight, and helpeth the rednesse or watering of them, or when by some chance they become black and blevv. The Juyce of the Berries boyled in Oyl of Roses, or beaten into Powder,

and mixed with the Oyl, and dropped into the Ears, easeth pains in them. The Root mixed with Bean-flower, and applyed to the Throat or Jawes that are in∣flamed, helpeth them, and the Roots or Berries beaten with hot Oxe-Dung▪ and applyed, easeth the pains of the Gout. Tragus reporteth, that a dram or more, if need be, of the spotted VVake-Robin, either green or dryed, being beaten, and taken, is a most present and sure Remedy for Poyson, and the Plague. The Juyce of the Herb taken to the quantity of a spoonful, hath the same effect; to which if there be a little Vineger added, as also to the Root aforesaid, it somewhat allay∣eth the sharp biting tast thereof upon the Tongue. The green Leaves bruised▪ and layd upon any Boyl or Plague-sore, doth wonderfully help to draw forth the poyson. A dram of the Powder of the dryed Root, taken with twice so much Sugar, in the form of a licking Electuary, or the green Root, doth wonderfully help those that are pursie and short winded, as also those that have the Cough; it breaketh, digesteth, and riddeth away Flegm from the Stomack, Chest, and Lungs. The milk wherein the Root hath been boyled, is effectuall also for the same purpose. The said Powder taken in Wine, or other drink, or the Juyce of the Berries, or the Powder of them, or the Wine wherein they have been boyl∣ed, provoketh Urine, and bringeth down Womens Courses, and purgeth them effectually after Child-bearing, to bring away the after-birth, and being taken with Sheeps milk, it healeth the inward Ulcers of the Bowels. The Leaves and Roots also boyled in Wine with a little Oyl, and applyed to the Piles, or fall∣ing down of the Fundament, easeth them; and so doth the sitting over the hot f••mes thereof. The fresh Roots bruised, and distilled with a little milk, yieldeth a most soveraign water to cleanse the skin from skurf, freckles, spots, or ble∣mishes whatsoever therein. The fresh Roots cut small, and mixed with a Sallet, will make excellent sport, with a sawcy sharking guest, and drive him from his over-much boldness, and so will the Powder of the dry Root, strewed upon any dainty bit, that is given him to eat: For either way, within a while after the ta∣king it, it will so burn, and prick his mouth and throat, that he shall not be able ••o eat any more, or scarce to speak for pain: The green leaf biteth the Tongue also. To take away the stinging of either, give the party so served new milk, or fresh butter. This Plant should be Venereous by its Signature.