A medicinal dispensatory, containing the whole body of physick discovering the natures, properties, and vertues of vegetables, minerals, & animals, the manner of compounding medicaments, and the way to administer them : methodically digested in five books of philosophical and pharmaceutical institutions, three books of physical materials galenical and chymical : together with a most perfect and absolute pharmacopoea or apothecaries shop : accommodated with three useful tables / composed by the illustrious Renodæus ... ; and now Englished and revised, by Richard Tomlinson of London, apothecary.

THREE BOOKS OF IOANNES RENODAEUS, Physician in PARIS; Of such Medicinal Materials as are requisite for Compositions made and kept in Apo∣thecaries Shops.

Book I. Of Plants.

CHAP. I. Of Water.

WATER, which in a different respect may be taken for an Element, and an Aliment, is not onely the solace of Mankinde, but the subsidy of all animate and vegetative Crea∣tures, which no living thing can be without. (Arist. c. 2. l. 4. de gen. animal.) For many Animals live without the use of Fire, with∣out the use of Water none, with which alone a Spanish Virgin did for a long time pre∣serve her life, (Coel. Rhod. cap. 23. lib. 23.) Albertus saw a melan∣cholick fellow, who abstained from all food the space of seven weeks, refreshing himself onely every second day with a draught of Water. And Animals are not solely generated and nourished by Water, but Plants also, which neither bud nor flourish without its benign affluence, but become dry, tabid, and juiceless. As on the contrary, the Tree planted by the Water side, * 1.1 will yield its fruit in its season. Whence perhaps old Hesiod broached his opinion, that Water was the most antient of Elements. To which Thales accords, who constitutes Water the first and sole principle of bodyes. Of which opinion was also Empedocles, who thought all things to be produced by Water. And one Hippon, (Arist. c. 2. l. 1. de anima) who called Water the Soul of the World; and Hippocrates also, * 1.2 who constituted Water and Fire the principle of life. But Hippon meant by Water, sperm; Hippocrates, the radical moysture.

Now the Water whereof we now treat, that is necessary to Man∣kinde, either to quench his thirst, or to coct and confect Aliments and Medicaments, is elementary, often designed with the name of the frigid Element. And it is either fontane, fluvial, puteal, or plu∣vial and cysternial. It is called fontane water, à fundendo, because it is poured out of the earth, which is preferred as most wholsome. Yet some fountains are impaired; for passing through the bowels of the earth, they require aliene faculties, for they mutuate their o∣dour or sapour from the places through which they permeate: Thus some, which are trajected through sulphureous passages, are so hot, that they may not be used; others, because of those veins of Alume, and involutions of Vitriol, are so acid and ingratefull, that a thirsty man would not taste them. In Germany, beyond Rhene, there is a fountain of sweet water, whereof if one drink, his teeth will fall out within two years.

In many parts of France there are Medicinal Waters of aliene, insuave, and strange sapours, as the Pucensian Wells, whereunto people flock in multitudes yearly, and return successfully. But I purpose not here to treat of these, it shall suffice me to shew at pre∣sent what qualities water that is potable, and requisitely necessary to an Apothecary in confecting Medicaments, should be endued withall.

Now such water, according to Aristotle, (lib. de sensu & sensib.) should in it self be the mixture, matter, and seminary of all spours; or as Galen (c. 15. l. 1. &c. 2. l. 2. de alim.) writes, should be insipid, voyd of all qualities, and most light, but not in weight, as some would hence inferr, for then Snow-water would be best, because lightest, which we know to be unwholsome: but it should be of te∣nuious parts, quickly calefied, and quickly refrigerated; such as fontane and fluvial water is, if it be pure; in defect whereof, rain water, by Galen's advice, (lib. de Ptis.) may be assumed, especially to the confection of Hydromel. Yet our Colledge at Paris judge Ci∣sternine waters unwholsome, as being dead, and having contracted some vice from the air from the spout through which, and from the trough into which they delabe; for the shower that proceeds from air of an inquinated, pestilentious, and putrified quality, must needs participate thereof; the shower that washes the sides of houses, must needs be infected with corruption, or other filth, especially if it wan•• motion, which is the foul of water. The shower that is contained in a Cistern, though well grounded with sand, must needs be corrupted, especially when abundance of impure water delabes, for then the sand will putrify and inquinate it. Hence the water afterwards run∣ning out of that Cistern, is endued with a very bad odour and sa∣pour, and is useless. The very condition of rain accelerates its cor∣ruption, which being partaker of the airs lenity, is quickly corrupted. Yea, many Authors of credit have writ, that many Fishes have re∣ceived detriment by rain, as the Muller, or Cestreus, whose eyes

are white, and they at that time very macilent. The best water therefore is fontane, fluvial, and puteal water, so it be not muddy nor ferid, but insipid, that is, endued with no manifest quality, nor mixed with any aliene sapour, as of Salt, Nitre, Sulphur, Bitumen, Alome, or others of that kinde. (Gal. comment. ad part. 10. lib. 4. ••pid.)

CHAP. II. Of Wine.

THE antient Romanes sacrificing to their Gods, continually offered Wine; whence the Poet, Redduntur merito debita vina Jovi. For (saith Plato) they dedicated Wine to the Gods, that they might expell all cares from Men, and fill their hearts with gladness; for Bacchus is the rest bringing God to affli∣cted Mortals. Natures Storehouse contains nothing better than Wine, which is the best Balsame to cure wounds, the most excellent Cordial to refresh the spirits, and the most eximious Aliment to nou∣rish the body; which its name seems to denote: for it is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, from helping, according to that of Ho∣mer, If thou drinkest, thou wilt finde help; for it letificates marts heart, exhilarates his minde, makes his age florid, takes away sad∣ness, cherishes native calour, calefies his bowels, helps concoction, roborates the stomack, takes away obstructions, prepares the passa∣ges for the exclusion of the excrements, moves urine, resarciates the spirits, discusses flatuosity, obtunds frigid poysons, attenuates, cocts and discuss••••••••ass humours. And that I may comprehend its immense dignity in a few words, Wine is the blood of the earth, old mens milk; life issuing from the Vine, that conserves life in o∣thers, yea, and suppeditates them Aqua vitae; whence Alchymists call it the Elixar of life: All which, when the Greek Poer had ex∣perienced and acknowledged as most true, he did with such alacrity adore Wine, for Laudibus arguitur vine vinosus Homerus; that he thereby attained not onely the knowledge of abstruse Sciences, but alsomost eximious eloquence; for Faecundi calices quem non fecere disertum? For as it is vulgarly received, Wine acuates the ingenui∣ty, and rouses the spirits: * 1.3 for which cause the Poet Ennius would ne∣ver betake himself to the description of Verses, unless he were first well madefied with Wine. Aeschylus also never accinged himself to write Tragedies, unless he had first imbibed himself with Wine. It is also storied of Lampris, that being then most apt to speak and answer to the purpose, and discreetly,

when he had ingurgitated much wine. He was wont to say of him∣self, that he was like Frank incense, which never emits its suaveolence, till it be well calefied. In wine there is eloquence, in wine verity, in wine alacrity: for this, as the Proverb hath it, will make an old Wife dance. It was a Piacle among the H••orews, to abstain from wine; and a custome among the Persians, never to treat and decrae of any serious matters, till they had been well drunk, (Alex. ab Alex.) yet Galen saith of Plato, that he never permitted Souldiers, nor Ser∣vants, nor Princes, nor such as were to consult about any matter, to drink wine liberally, because it would tyrannize over the faculties of the soul; and taken in excess, enervate the strength, and destroy sa∣nity. Whence Hippocrates saith; that in wine is sickness and sanity, moderation and ferity, peace and war; according to that of the Poet, Vinum alit lites, lites dissolvit easdem. Wine therefore is adia∣phorous and indifferent, good or evil, * 1.4 a•• its use is good or evil. And as it is sanity and strength to the sane, so it is infirmity to the infirm, and especially to such as are distempered from a hot cause.

There are many sorts of wine differenced by their colour, * 1.5 sa∣pour, substance, odoar, virtue, and place; from their colour, they are called white, red, black, flave, claret, and palid wines; from their sapour, sweet, austere, sharp, aceth, insipid; from their sub∣stance, crafs, thin, feculent; from their odour, sweet, fragrant, in∣odorous; from their virtue, vinous, aquous, polyphorous, multi∣farious, and oligophorous; from their place, Falernian, Albane, Grecian: of which antient wines we should drink moderately, by Galen's advice, (c. 6. l. 5. de sanit. tuend.) for they gravidate the head; but we want all these: yet ours are no less vinous, as our An∣relian, Burgundian, Andi••e, Ainian, Meudonian, Ruelliane, and Argentoliane, * 1.6 which are generous wines, and need Amphiction, who first mixed water with wine. And as in Banquets men get the best wine, so should we seek the most generous and ••••••le in our Pharma∣copolies for Medicaments, which are to be assumed at the mouth, as Theriacal and Mithridative Confections; as also for some that are to be extrinsecally applyed, as many Salves and Unguents. There is a water also distilled from these wines, easily contracting ardour and flame, and eximious for many uses, which they call Aqua vita; as indeed there is nothing in wine which is not eximious, as its odour, sapour, and spirits, whereby man is not onely refreshed, nourished, and cherished, but also many Medicaments and Adjuments made out of its very lees and dregs, which the Alchymists call Tartar.

CHAP. III. Of Vinegar.

VInegar, which the Greeks call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is sharp, or rather dead wine, for it is produced out of vapid wine, destitute of its proper spirits, and innate calour: and as Omphacy is elegantly tearmed wine increasing, so is Vinegar wine decreasing, for wine is the mean betwixt both. And vinegar is more tenuious, acute, and liquid than both, and therefore it doth not con∣crete or congeal in frost, if it be made of wine; which is the most sa∣lubrious and eximioius: for that which in some Countryes is made of stale beer, is insane, and should not at all be used by an Apothe∣cary in his Confectures: for when we put vinegar absolutely, we mean wine-vinegar so confected by age or artifice, not by any ma∣lignant mixture, which for its eximious qualities is used in kitchins to Sauces and Condiments; in Pharmacopolies, to the preparation of Oxymel, Lythargy, and other Compounds.

Now all vinegar is attenuative, incisive, discussive, repressive, re∣frigerative, and somewhat calefactive, (Gal. cap. 10. lib. 2. comp. med. loc.) for old Homer acknowledges, that it retains in it some seeds of calour; whence Galen saith, (cap. 19. l. 1. de simpl. med.) it is of a mixt quality; for as milk is not all homogeneous, and simi∣lar, nor in all parts the same, so neither is vinegar, which many say is calid, and many frigid. But such as have truly perpended its fa∣culty, finde it for the most part more frigid than calid, (cap. 20. ejusdem libri) And I much recede from their opinion, who think it to be calid like a Cautery, or Pyro••ick; for by sense we finde, that when it is applyed, it is at first sharp and refrigerative; but after its ablation, some calour follows, which happens accidentally, and because of its acrimony, though not alwayes, nor to all bodyes, (c. 21. ejusdem libri.)

Hence we may collect, that vinegar is naturally frigid, but hath acquired an accidentary calidity; or as Galen speaks, (cap. 23. ejusdem libri) neither absolutely frigid, nor absolutely calid, par∣ticipating of neither extream; for many things that consist of con∣trary and pugnant qualities, seem simple to the sense, and are judged as neuters; for it is unavoydable that vinegar, having lost its innate quality, should acquire another by putrefaction. Of which opinion is Theophrastus and Aristotle; for the vinous parts of the wine transeating into vinegar, must be refrigerated, and the aquous parts thereof by putretude obtain an adventitious calidity, as all

things else which putrefy, do, (c. 2. l. 4. simpl.) Vinegar then is a compound of parts of a contrary quality, to wit, partly calid, part∣ly frigid, as the ashes of burned wood. Yet Vinegar is of admirable utility to Mortals; but it is more frequently used of others, than of Apothecaries.

CHAP. IV. Of Omphacy.

OMphacy, * 1.7 which the Greeks call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Shopmen A∣gresta, is the juice of sour grapes not yet come to matu∣rity, not yet changed into Rob by the Suns calidity; such was Dioscorides his Omphacium. But that we now have, is expressed like wine in a winepress, out of grapes of perfect magnitude, but not maturity; then percolated, reposed in hogsheads, and mixed with a little salt, and these by progression would be wine, so wine by regression will be vinegar, which in its vertues is very correspondent to Omphacy, for both are refrigerative, the Ompha∣cy more imbecilly, the vinegar more validly, because more te••••∣ous; which also participates of more acrimony, which is calefa∣ctive by its adscititious calidity. * 1.8 Therefore Aristotle said well, that vinegar was frigid by the innate calour of the wine, and calid by the adventitious; which calour is not of sufficient vigour to over-power the frigidity proceeding from its acidity. But Omphacy hath not the least of calidity in it, neither is it so tenuious, nor yet so nimble, as with that expedition to permeate the pores and parts of the body as vinegar; which being not onely acid, but acerb, (Gal. cap. 10. lib. 4. de simpl. med.) is more conducible to the ardour of the Hypochondriacal parts than vinegar; for it is not so violent, not is its frigidity mixed with any mordacious calour; for such as are infested with excess of this calour, should be mitigated without vio∣lence, or assumption of any Calefactive, or Medicament endued with mordacious acrimony. * 1.9 And hence is it, that Omphacy is profitable for great ardours, (Gal. cap. 2. lib. 4. de simpl.) whether it be im∣posed on the orifice of the belly, or other parts, that need re••••∣geration.

But it is most frequently assumed at the mouth, either mixed with Aliments for pleasure, or with Medicaments for sanity; for broth altered therewith, is more gratefull to the jaws and palate; condiments acidulated therewith, revoke the appetite. It also ex∣tinguishes the heat of the liver, and tempers the estuosity of the bood 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all which the sytup of Grapes will perform.

And though Omphacium may be made of any immature grapes, yet it is in France deduced onely out of those the white vine•• bring forth; whose branches being longer, and more crass than others, serve to make Arbours in Gardens, and whose clusters are as big as Olives; whereof, when mature, scarce any good wine can be con∣fected, but very good Omphacium when they are immature, as at the latter end of Summer, or a little before Vintage time.

Oil educed out of immature Olives, is from its affinity in sapour to this Omphacium, called Omphatical Oil.

CHAP. V. Of Sugar.

SUgar was unknown to the Antients; which is now so co∣pious, that to say a Pharmacopoly without Sugar, were more than an * 1.10 Irony. Yet it doth not fall from Heaven like dew, nor is it gathered of Plants leaves, as some have thought, who look onely at the name: but it is got of an arundi∣naceous Plant, which grows not onely in India, but in many places of Asia and Africa, and now in some Gardens in France; but it scarcely escapes secure from the Winters tempests.

This sacchariferous Plant is about eight foot high, very crass, * 1.11 knotty, obduced on every side with long, strait, and twined leaves, hollow, sappy, and stuffed within with plenty of sweet juice, which will distill down the cut cane like Amber; whose pith or sap being severed from the cane by a knife, and cocted on the fire, will turn all into Sugar, save a little Salt at the bottome of the vessel. Its roots emulate the roots of our Cane, but they are not so ligneous, but more succulent and sweet, from which some sprigs erupt, which if pulled up, and transplanted in due time, will grow and flourish. It bears hairy flowers, like our reeds, which one thing is enough to shew that it is a reed.

The juice extracted from it, and but once cocted, is not suffici∣ently elaborate, but is red, and thence called brown Sugar; by some, Sugar-froth; which when it is cocted longer, and more defecated; will be white, and is called Sugar absolutely. There comes Sugar from Madara and Canary, which is extraordinary white, which as much excells the other in worth, as it doth in candour: yet some Negotiators bring some a little duller, which is as good as the other. But many adulterate Madarensian Sugar, by washing common Sugar with lixive, cocting it again, and absterging the nigritude from off it, by which means they make it exceeding white, but not so sweet, and gratefull.

Sugar-Candy is thus made of common Sugar. * 1.12 Let the Sugar be melted with a little water, and elixated like a crass syrup, which in∣ject into an earthen pot, wherein wooden sticks are put lattice-wise, and cross one over another; set the pot on a board in a hot place, where leave it for the space of fifteen or twenty dayes, then pour out the syrup that is not concreted, and pour in a little warm water, to wash off the fatness of the syrup, which again pour out, and repose the vessel in a hot place; take it on the morrow, and break it, and you shall finde the sticks laden with Sugar-Candy, shining like Crystal.

There is another kinde of Sugar not so white, * 1.13 nor yet so crass as the former, which is partly pulverated, partly redacted to more crass lumps, which the vulgar call Cassonade, or Castonade; which is not onely used in Kitchins, but also in Shops.

That which is brought us from far Countryes, is turbinated pyra∣midal-wise, and commonly called Sugar-loaf, which is less cocted, and less obdurate than Candy, and so less calid, and more accom∣modate to obdulcorate Condiments, Broths, and other Aliments; for Sugar abates acrity, retunds acidity, gratifies austerity, and makes all sapours more suave. Whence not onely Confectioners, but Ba∣kers and Cooks frequently use Sugar, for no delicate Dish comes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Table that doth not participate of Sugar; for if Water, Wine, Fruits, Flesh, Fish, or other Edibles or Potables be nauscated, the mixture of a little Sugar will make them current.

All Sugar is moderately hot, * 1.14 conducible to the roughness of the tongue, asperity in the breast, and to the cough; it moves spittle, but hurts the teeth, for it effects nigritude, mobility, and rubiginy•••• them.

CHAP. VI. Of Honey.

AThenaus writes, that the Cyrians, Inhabitants of Corstea, are therefore long-lived, because they daily use Honey: And Democritus being asked, how a man might preserve his life long in sanity, answered, by anointing his interiour parts with Honey, his exteriour with Oil, (Gal. c. 11. l. de atten. vict. rat.) For Honey being most sweet, propagates most tenuious juice. And (c. 8. l. 2. de facult. nat.) begets in old men special good blood, in young and bilious men much choler; for according to Actuarius, (c. 8. l. de spir. anim. mot.) that which is sweet in Honey, must needs be choler in the body.

And this mutation is very facile, because Honey, according to

Paul, (c. 4. l. 1. de synops.) & Oribas. (l. 5. collect.) calefies and ex∣siccates in the second degree, and hath a kinde of Acrimony con∣joyned with its sweetness, for that is the best Honey which partici∣pates of these two, to wit, of sweetness and acrimony, (Gal. c. 17. l. de antidot.) new Wine expressed from sweet Grapes, and cocted to the half or thirds, though it be not much inferiour to Honey in sweetness, yet like water it is obtuse, and no way vellicates the sense.

Hon•••• alone is a Compound of it self, for it is collected of the juices of many herbs and flowers, and is profitable to all ages, but especially to old men, and such as are of a cold constitution 〈◊〉〈◊〉 chiefly in winter time; for where it meets with much calour, there it turns into choler.

Galen (c. 5. l. 1. de alim fac.) * 1.15 derides the concertation of two men, the one whereof affirmed Honey to be wholsome, the other un∣wholsome, both conjecturing from the effect it had wrought in themselves: but neither of them understood, that man kept not one temperament from the beginning to the term of his life; nor yet if the temperament had been one, that the decurse of years would work some change in it; for the one of them was old and flegma∣tick, the other young and cholerick.

Now Honey, according to Galen, (c. 177. l. de simpl. med.) * 1.16 is the juice of Celestial Dew collected by Bees; for every Aliment is de∣sumed either from Animals or Plants, Honey is from neither; for it arises from the leaves or flowers of Plants, * 1.17 and yet it is not their juice, nor fruit, nor any part thereof, but the same with Dew, (c. 38. l. 3. de alim. fac.) and yet not so copious nor assiduous.

Yet something from Plants tends to its benignity or malignity, (Orib. c. 62. l. 2. collect.) for that is poysonous which is collected of poysonous Plants, as Wolfs-bane, (Paul. Egin. c. 52. l. ••.) that bitter which is brought out of Pontus, where great store of Worm∣wood abounds.

That Honey is best which in colour is pale, * 1.18 in consistency neither crass, nor concrete, nor yet dilute, but alike in all parts; which be∣sides its sweetness, participates of the acrimonious sapour of Thyme, but no perceptible part thereof in odour, according to Oribasius, (c. 62. l. 2. collect.

And as Honey by long coction, so by long keeping i will grow bitter; for Galen saith, (c. 11. l. 1. de antidot.) that he kept Atheni∣an Honey, which we account the best, so long, as in amaritude it re∣sembled that which the Bees collect in Pontus. It were supervacane∣ous to treat any more of Honey, since we have abundantly spoken thereof in the third Chapter of the third Book of our Institutions.

CHAP. VII. Of Manna.

MAnna is the most excellent and divine gift of Nature; and not onely that which God preternaturally bestowed on the Israelites, but this also which like Honey or Sugar-dew, distills upon leaves, and daily offers it self for our use. For our vul∣gar Husbandmen do no less admire their small Manna, than the Israelites did their Sugar-hail, whil'st exulting, they sing, Jupiter rains Honey down; whence it is called Areomel, by the Arabians Terenjabin, and in the sacred Scriptures Manna; with which our Manna, or Manna Thuris, accords onely in name; which is pro∣duced by the elision of two bundles one against another; for therby certain small fragrancies are congested, which is collected for Manna Thuris. There is also another kinde, they call Manna La∣rigna, collected of the broken boughs of the Larix tree; but both these too licentiously usurp this title: for Manna properly so called, which is used by Physicians, (for I do not speak of the Man-h••, or Manna of the Hebrews) is celestial dew, sweet and gratefull, dela∣bing about the day-spring upon the boughs and leaves of trees and herbs, which speedily concretes into the consistency of a gum.

That is best which is collected of leaves, and is called Manna de folio; and that worst, which is called Manna de terra. Now the Calabrian Manna, especially that which comes out of a certain part of Oenotria, is thought the best, where it descends every Summer, and is gather'd of all. (Brassavel. in exam. fimpl)

Brassavelus tels us, * 1.19 how the Neopolitan Kings once occluded this place, that none might assume it without toll or tribute; but the Manna thereupon ceased to descend; the tribute being taken off, and the hindrances removed, the Manna again descended; the place being again occluded, it ceased; the inclosure or hedge being again taken away, it descended: so that the Kings were glad to leave it free, and permit any to collect it that would. The same is storied of the Tragasaan of Salt in Epirus, up 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which when Lysimachus imposed a tribute, there was none to be found; when the tribute was contra∣decreed, the Salt redounded. (c. 12. l. 9. Rhod. Cal.)

But that I may not further rove; there is a k••••de of Manna in France, commonly called Manna Briansonnensis, which Medicks sometimes use for want of Calabriensis: but it is not near so good.

There is another kinde round, called Manna Mastichina, * 1.20 which beaten from the boughs and leaves of trees by the impetuousness of the winde, which delabes like hail, but neither from Heaven, nor from the Air; which is improperly called Manna, being the tears of trees, or their juice concreted.

Manna is moderately hot, it lenifies the throat, asper-artery, and breast; it benignly moves the belly, and purges watry humours, e∣specially the small Manna; as that which comes from Calabria, not Terenjabin, which the Arabians say is like Honey; which we use not, because we want it.

CHAP. VIII. Of Cordial Flowers; and first, of Violets.

A Violet, which the Greeks call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, grows in opake and rough places, at the foundations of walls, or margins of gardens, and sometimes in meadows; it is green all the year long, and flourishes sometimes in February, most frequently in March, whence it is called Mars his Flower; and sometimes in Autumn, if it be cul∣tivated; it leaves are like Ivy leaves, but less and thinner, of a short stalk, in the end whereof grows a Flower of a ceruleous purple co∣lour, and odour like Flower de luce. It brings forth a small seed in little round leaves about the end of Summer.

Now Violets are multifarious, and different in colours; for some are white, some blew, and other in a mean betwixt both. There are some also which stand upon longer and harder stalks, whose flowers are like a purple colour; others which are tricolorous, and grow upon quadrate, slender, succulent and reptile stalks in dry places, whose leaves are more angust, long and lascivious than others: from its three-fold colour some call it the herb Trinity, others the flam∣meous Violet, and the vulgar Frenchmen the Minute pensea.

Other small stocks of Violets have got names, which because Phy∣ficians seldome use, we omit. But the martial Violets are wholly u∣sed, for their flowers being endued with an exhilarating faculty, * 1.21 are mixed with Cordials, their seeds and leaves being malactical, ingrede the decoction of Glysters, and confection of Cataplasms. All men conclude, that their Flowers are refrigerative; yet that acrimony they leave in the mouth by mastication, speaks them to participate of some calour. But because that calour is fugitive, being overcome by their exuberant frigidity, the Medicks judge them to be frigid.

CHAP. IX. Of the Flowers of Bugloss.

BUgloss, so tearmed from its similitude to an Oxes tongue, be∣cause it is eximious in inducing hilarity, is by Dioscorides and Pliny called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; it hath long, broad, rough leaves, like Cumfrey, but straiter, shorter, and not of so obscure a green. Its stalks are bicubital, brachiate, rough; its flowers replenished with spots like stars, ceruleous, shining, in the bottome whereof is a long, obscure, pithy seed. Its root is long, crass, black without, white within, succubent, sweet; it grows in gardens, in fandy, and also in plain places.

There is no variety neither in nature nor shape amongst the Hor∣tensian Buglosses, onely the flowers of some are white, of others purpureous, and vulgarly ceruleous. But the wild ones differ much: for some are alwayes green, which will like in any region; others are very sharp, whose leaves are rigid with prominent pricks, which by some are mistaken for Anchusa, so named from the blood where∣with its root infects the tangent.

Bugloss is of a hot and moyst, or rather a middle temperature; whence it is reckoned amongst the exhilarative Plants, which Galen was not ignorant of, when (c. 80. l. 6. de simpl. med.) he wrote, that Bugloss immerged in Wine would cause joy and hilarity.

CHAP. X. Of Borrage flowers.

BOrrage is an herb notorious enough; its leaves and faculties bear an affinity with Bugloss, for both their leaves are long, resembling a Neats tongue: but Borrage leaves are shorter and broader, which the rigour of the winter soon corrupts and kills: but Bugloss bears it out, and grows; but especially its root, and those leaves that are next ground flourish. It bears broad ceruleous flow∣ers, and sometimes white, larger than Bugloss, in the midst whereof, as in its center, is defixed a certain dusky crown, whose end is acu∣minated. It grows in any ground, but it is more florid in humid and fat soyl. It is fresh all Summer, and also all Autumn, if it be sown later; its seed is black; in all other things it responds to Bu∣gloss.

Its flowers put into broth give a special taste, and subduce the

belly; and taken in Wine, they cause great joy and pleasure; accor∣ding to that old saying, Ego Borrago gaudia semper ago. Its flowers in Condiments recreate the eyes and jaws, and in Medicaments aug∣ment their cordial faculties.

There is another Plant very like this, * 1.22 which they sometimes call Bugloss, sometimes Borrage, alwayes green; for it resembles both their form and nature, and is thought to prepoll in the same faculties. It grows in Plains, and is sown and kept in Gardens by such as de∣light in variety of Simples.

CHAP. XI. Of the four common Emollitives, and first, of Mallows.

THere are four common emollitive Herbs, Mallows, Marsh∣mallows, black Violet, and Bears-breech, or brank Ursine; whereunto other four less famous are adjoyned, to wit, Mercury, Pelitory of the wall, Sicla, commonly called Bete, and Arach, whose use is celebrated in making the decoctions of mollitive Glysters, and Cataplasms.

Now Mallows is so denominated from its mollifying quality; * 1.23 and it is either Hortensian, which by culture and mangony will grow to a tree, and acquire great procerity; or Sylvestrian, which is well enough known to all; for it abounds every where with thick cireina∣ted and angulous leaves; it puts forth flowers all Summer long of a pale purple colour; its roots are small, long, and lignous; its seed small, smooth, and orbicular.

There are many sorts of Mallows. * 1.24 The first of that name is that which importunely germinates in every way side, or court.

The second is not so copious, which is smaller, with lesser boughs, growing about rude and incultivated places near Villages, with flowers of a pale purple colour.

The third is called the Mallow tree, * 1.25 which like a shrub sprouts up to the height of six or eight cubits.

The fourth is called Althea, by the Latines Bis-malva, and Ibiscus, because of the multiplicity of its faculties; for it hath malvaceous, smooth, long, hoary, and somewhat clipped; whiter flowers, and seeds like other wilde Mallows.

Its roots are crass, long, round, divaricated into many circles, and pregnant with much juice; its sprigs that grow besides it put forth malvaceous, long, hoary, and tomentaceous leaves, white flowers, and small, plain, and round seeds, like other Mallows. It

calefies in the first degree; it hath a digestive and laxative faculty, and will coct mucaginous excrements.

The fifth is called Alcea, * 1.26 which is like Mallows in its original and stalk, but deeper cut; out of its root proceeds abundance of shrubs half a cubite long, adorned with red flowers; which fallen off, we may see a round seed like other Mallows.

The sixth is called Transmarina, * 1.27 and Rosacea, from the elegancy of its flower, like a Rose. It is known in all parts, for it is sown and cultivated almost in every Garden; it puts forth its branches at the beginning of the Spring.

Some sorts of Ibiscaes are referred to the kinds of Mallows, to wit, the Althea that grows like a tree, the Althea that grows like a fen, and the Althea of Theophrastus, which bears yellow flowers. There are also as many sorts of Alcea, to wit, the common, forreign, and shrubby, which is Cinquefoil.

All Mallows is mollitive, * 1.28 and thence it is denominated; and its leaves decocted are good for the shingles; and it is good against poy∣sonous stings, and the dolours excited by Bees or Wasps.

CHAP. XII. Of Acanthus, or brank Vrsine.

THE name Acanthus is not onely referred to such Plants 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are spinous, as Carduus, but also to such as prick not, as to the Artichoke, and brank Ursine, which the Shopmen call Acantha, many Marmoraria, because its leaves are engraven in marble Chapiters.

Dioscorides saith, it grows in Gardens and moyst places, and puts forth long, broad, smooth, fat, blackish leaves, cut like a nettle; its stalk is of two cubits length, smooth about the thickness of a finger, and on every side from the middle upwards involved with little long leaves accuminated like nucaments, but not spinous, out of which a white flower proceeds; its seed is long and dusky, its top is like the top of a sprig.

Its roots are juicy, long, red, and glutinous, which are of little or no use in Physick; though made into a Liniment, they are good for burnings; and drunk, move urine, and conduce to the good of such as are tabid, for their leaves onely are desumed to the decoction of Glysters and Cataplasms, to which use solely the whole Plant is de∣stinated, and got by Apothecaries.

Some say it is called brank Ursine, because its leaves resemble the fore feet of Bears. We finde it also called Paederota, and Melani∣plyll••m.

We have abundantly before treated of Violets, which are also

reckoned among the mollitive Plants in the first degree, and shall not need to superadde any more.

CHAP. XIII. Of other Mollitives; and first, of Mercury.

THis Herb derives its name from Mercury its Inventor, whence the Greeks call it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but more frequent∣ly Linozostis. There are two kinds of it: the first is called the masculine, the second the feminine Mercury; the bran∣ches of both are round, light, rough, with some genicles, a cubite high, brachiate; there are many long leaves cut about like a Saw, like sweet Basil, all about the stem. In the leaves of the masculine there are two seeds joyned together, which cohere with little feet, like Goose-grass. Small ears come out of the feminine, with mossy flowers thereon; which if they wither, no seed fol∣lows.

It is green all Summer, dead in Winter, springs again in the Spring; its faculty is chiefly to exonerate the belly. And there is a Honey made of its juice, they call the Mercurial Honey, which will excite the drowsy expulsive faculty, and deterge the belly.

There is also a third kinde of Mercury, called Cynocrambe, or wilde masculine Mercury, which grows all over by high wayes, and humid places; which, because it hath much affinity with the masculine, it hath pleased learned Authors to denote it by that name.

CHAP. XIV. Of Pelitory of the Wall.

THE many names that Pelitory of the wall hath put upon it, hath caused learned men to doubt which is the true Herb, or it due name. It is most frequently by Apothecaries called Hel∣xine, of which name Dioscorides describes two Plants. The first is firnamed Cissampelos, and it is a kinde of convolvulus, which grows in hedges, and circumeats the vicine Plants: the other in walls and maceries; whence it is called Parietaria, or mural Herb, as also Hel∣xine, because it adheres to ones cloaths; it emits small, pale, mossy

flowers, and very rough leaves, which being good to wipe and ex∣terge glass cups with, are thence called Vitreols. I finde it also called by some, the Herb of the winde, but Anemone challenges that name by better right. But since Pelitory of the wall is so notorious, it needs no further description.

It is refrigerative and detersive, and cures inflammations. If it be fryed with Oil or Butter, and applyed to the region of the reins, it eases the dolour of the gravel there, and accelerates its exclusion by reserating the passages; and therefore it is duely instituted by Fer∣••elius an Ingredient in the confection of the syrup of Althea.

CHAP. XV. Of Bete and Arach.

BEte is either red, * 1.29 which they commonly call the black Bete, or white, or yellow, for so many sorts are found by their colours. Now the red Bete is twofold; one is our common red Bete, which is not distinct from others in root, or leaves, but onely in colour; the other is the Romane Bete, which is somewhat blacker, having a very crass root like Rape, whence it is called Bete-rape, and by many very properly Erythrorise; by Fuchius, the red Rape, but very impro∣perly.

The white is received most in meats, yet its juice may well be used in Errhins, for its nitrous faculty will deduce flegm out of the brain. And hence we may gather, that Bete is not so fatuous and insipid as Martial thought, for it troubles and loads the stomack, and nourishes little; and therefore few but Rusticks and poor people eat it, unless it be to move the belly; and especially the white, which moves and exonerates the belly, as the red doth the bladder; and therefore it is most accommodate to the confection of Diacassia.

Atriplex, commonly called Arrochy, by the Greeks, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is not without reason reckoned amongst the mollitive Herbs; for a∣mongst Pot-herbs, none subduces the belly more efficaciously and easily than it.

For it refrigerates in the first degree, humectates in the second, and is voyd of all sapour; it is of a watry and uliginous nature, and therefore quickly permeates the inferiour parts, and opens the belly.

CHAP. XVI. Of the five Capillaries; and first, of the true Maidens-hair.

THere are five Herbs which have much affinity one with an∣other, to wit, the true Capillus Veneris, or true Maidens-hair; * 1.30 the common Maidens hair, Asplenium, or Wall-fern; Citrarch, * 1.31 commonly called Polytrick, or Spleen-wort; and Salvia Vita, or Wall-rue. Some would have Epithymus, and Bind-weed, or Dodder, to be true Capillaries, because they resemble hairs and Capilla∣ments; whereas these five Herbs are not called Capillaries so much from their external form, as that faculty wherewith they colour hairs, and resartiate their defect.

The true Maiden-hair is most frequently found in the Narbonian Tract; sometimes, but seldome, in other colder parts of France: that which in one year flourished at Lutetia in the Garden of Joannes Gomerius the expert Apothecary, the rigour of the Winter killed ere another year circulated.

It is a small Herb, without stalk, flower, and seed, growing in mountainous, rocky, shady, moyst places, and in the brinks of foun∣tains; in stead of a stalk it hath many hairs, whereon small, slender leaves, not unlike the leaves of Coriander, do adhere; whence Mesue calls it the Coriander of the sountain. But the name Adian∣••••m was given it, as Theophrastus attests, because being long infused in water, as all the other sorts of Capillaries also, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. it will not be madefied. But this assertion fails in long maceration, for be∣ing long immerged in water, it will be madid, as other Herbs.

Galen (lib. 6. de simplic. med.) saith, that Adiantum, * 1.32 as to cali∣dity and frigidity, is symmetral; it deficcates, extenuates, digests, repairs the loss of fallen hairs, discusses swellings and impostumes; being drunk, it breaks stones, and admirably helps all the affections of the breast, liver, reins, and spleen. Its virtues are profusely de∣scribed by Mesue, (c. 20. de simpl.)

CHAP. XVII. Of Common Maiden-hair.

BEsides the true Adiantum, * 1.33 which is the proper Maidens-hair, Theophrastus (cap. 13. lib. 7.) makes mention of two other small Plants of the same name, to wit, white and black Adiantum, both whose branches are of a nitent black colour, their leaves alike, to wit, rugged, thick, and one side consperged with little red spots, their faculties similar: but the one putting forth little stalks or nerves blacker than the other, is called black Adiantum. Their mistake is damnable to the sick, who instead of each, desume Dryopteris, of Oak-fern.

Some credulous persons think it a miracle, that Adiantum infused in water, should not be madefied, but should so withstand its humi∣dity, as alwayes to appear dry, from which event it desumed this de∣nomination; but its longer demersion in water shews the contrary. Some think it so called rather, because it is not madefied with the de∣scent of rain, like as we see in Fern; or because it thrives in the mar∣gins of fountains and walls that encompass waters, and yet cannot endure to be touched by water; as we see Swallows, which delight to build their nests in mens houses, but will not suffer themselves to be handled by men.

Adiantum emits out of its slender root compacted of small fila∣ments, certain exile sprigs, strait, half a hand high, and sometimes longer, sometimes of a whiter, sometimes of a blacker green, cir∣cumvested with little soft leaves, after the manner, positure and rite of a fern, but much more small, more green on one side, less on another, and maculated with some spots. It grows best in opake places, it is alwayes green, never scatters its leaves, but is destitute of all flowers and seed.

Its faculties are commended for many purposes, for it prohibites the falling of hairs, and repairs their loss; it helps such as are pursy, and short breath'd; it moves flowers, discusses swelling in the neek, and produces the same effect with true Maidens-hair, or Capilus Veneris.

CHAP. XVIII. De Polytricho; or, of Polytriche.

AS three Plants are comprehended under this one name Adian∣tum, so three names design one Plant. * 1.34 For perite Herbalists take Trichomanes Polytrichum, and Callitrichum, are all the same Herb; for Trichomanes is by the Romanes called a Capillary, because it compleats the place voyd of hairs. Polytrichum is so called, because it makes the hair come thicker; and Callitrichum, because it makes the hair more comly. (Ruel. c. 133. l. 3.)

Some call this Herb Pinula, others Filicula, and some Adiantum.

It grows upon walls, and in opake and shady places, and about the margins of fountains, or in dens, as Adiantum doth. Its root is small and black, out of which there issues little nitid, rigid, dusky sprigs, like Capillaments. It hath leaves on both sides, very orderly disposed, and adversly pediculated, like to Lentils in magnitude and form, but more tenuious, and maculated underneath with ferrugine∣ous spots.

It neither bears seed nor flowers, like Adiantum, wherewith also it agrees in reference to its faculties.

CHAP. XIX. Of Ceterach, or Spleen-wort.

ALL the society of Pharmacopolists stood long in this errour, * 1.35 that Scolopendrium and Heminionis; commonly called Harts∣tongue, were one and the same Plant; till better informed, ei∣ther by the bare words or writings of Physicians; they were con∣vinced, that Splenium, commonly called Ceterach, was the true Sco∣lopendrium. Its leaves are small, divided like Polypody, yellowish, rough, narrow, and corrugated underneath, adhering to a blackish pedicle scarce a palms length, disposed in an adverse order; yet not so; that they are directly opposite one against another, like the leaves of the Polytriche, but that they oppose each others interstice, as of some Polypody.

It is found in rocks, opake walls, and such stony and shady places, insisting upon no stalk, save a small pedicle, crowned with no flower, and gravidated with no seed.

Its faculty is to minuate the spleen, to break and expell the stone, * 1.36 to move urine, to abate singulture, and cure the Jaundies.

CHAP. XX. De Salvia vita, or Rue-maidenhair.

THis Plant is next in affinity to a Capillary, * 1.37 which from the simi∣litude of the leaves, and the congruity of place wherein Rue and it grow, is called mural Rue, and by the Shopmen, Salvia vita. It thrives best in opake rocks, wet stones, old edifices and caves, which as it were dividing the rocks, proceeds out of their incisures, with thin, short and slender stalks, whereon little but crass leaves ad∣here; divided, and of a whitely green colour, very like to Rue.

The whole Plant is scarce as long as a mans palm, devoyd of seed and slowers, alwayes green; and therefore it is often used in win∣ter, when other Plants are either withered or eradicated.

* 1.38 It reserates the excrementitious passages, takes away obstructions, moves excrements, exsiccates watry humours, and thence conduces to the stoppings of the spleen and mesenteries; it moves flowers and urine, expells the stone, cures the dropsy, and helps diseases within the breast. They are mistaken that think this is Fellon-grass.

CHAP. XXI. Of some other Plants that are of the second sort of Capillaries; and first, of Moon-fern.

* 1.39 THis Herb is from the efficacy of its faculties, wherewith it respects the spleen, called by Pharmacopolists, sometimes Asplenium, sometimes Scolopendrium, as also Ceterach, because in curing the affection of the spleen it hath the pre∣cellency: yet it is neither Scolopendrium, Asplenium, nor common Ceterach, but a distinct Plant destitute of stalk, seed, and flower, onely a company of leaves issuing out of the earth; whence it is often called Phyllitis, that is, a folious herb; for its root emits many fibrous and blackish leaves upon as many filaments, which leaves are crass, rigid, long like Harts tongue, as it is sometimes denominated, smooth on the upper side, rough on the lower, with transverse ferru∣gineous lines. Gaza calls it Mula.

It is of great use to the spleen, * 1.40 whose obstructions it doth not one∣ly remove, but abates its durity and obtumescence, and successfully helps the affections of the liver.

CHAP. XXII. Of Dodder and Epithymum.

DOdder grows upon fruitfull Herbs, like Epithyme, * 1.41 destitute of a root; but as Matthiolus faith, issues out of the stalk of a Plant like a wing, or long capillament. It grows most abundantly about Line, whence the Shopmen call it, Lines Podagry.

Fuchsius not without reason believes, that Dodder at first pro∣ceeds from some root, which withers and perishes when its capilla∣ments do involve a plant, from which it may suck nutriment; and thence it is that the temperament and quality of the Dodder changes according to the variety and nature of the Plants which it involves. And many think, that Dodder and Epithyme differ not, save that the one grows on Line, the other on Thyme.

Yet Matthiolus will not suffrage herewith, but contends, and that by testimony from Galen, that both the form and qualities are in them different; for Epithyme calefies in the third degree, and Cus∣cuta onely in the second; but here it onely follows, that Epithyme borrows its calefactive quality from Thyme, Cuscuta from Line. They do very dangerously mistake, who take the podagry of other Plants for true Cuscuta and Epithyme.

Neither of them have any leaves, they are onely hairy, putting forth slender capillaments, like Cittern strings, out of which issues forth small flowers like glistering stars, gravidated with small seeds, which ingrede the composition of the laxative syrup of Suc∣cory and Rhabarb.

It is abstersive and roborative, it cures the obstructions of the liver and spleen, moves urine, helps the jaundies, and is good for all affe∣ctions proceeding from cholerick and melancholick humours.

CHAP. XXIII. Of the five Apertive Roots; and first, of Smallage-root.

THere are many apertive roots, five whereof precell the other in dignity, three whereof grow in Gardens, to wit, Petroseline, Sperage, and Fennel; two in places uncultivated, Smallage, and Butchers-broom.

* 1.42 Apium in Latine, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Greek differ much, as also Parsly and Petroseline.

For Apios, according to Dioscorides, (cap. 177. lib. 4.) hath leaves like Rue, short, and growing on three or four stalks lying along on the ground, and on a root that is extrinsecally black, intrinsecally white, formed like a Pear, which will move the body both by vomit and stool, though not vehemently. Yea Apios is sometimes taken for a root like a Pear in form; and sometimes for some juice that is in∣sipid, or at least of an imperceptible sapour.

Whereas Apium properly so called, which Dioscorides names se∣line, or cleofeline, is very like Parsley, but greater, and effects the same with Parsley: but because of its ungratefull odour and sapour, is excluded the lociety of Pot-herbs.

It grows most commonly in uncultivated and moyst places, whence it is properly called Paludapium, or Rustick Smallage.

It is hot in the second, * 1.43 and dry in the third degree, (Gal. l. 8. simp.) it moves flowers and urine, discusses flatuosity, and its seed is more efficacious than the Herb it self. Pliny saith, it cures Spiders poyson. Its root is frequently usurped to deduce the passages, to remove ob∣structions, and it is thought that its leaves eaten conduce much to the lungs.

CHAP. XXIV. Of Petroseline.

THat which the Antients called Garden-Apium, * 1.44 and Par∣sley, we call Petroseline; it is most common in Gardens, and most frequently used in making broth, and dressing meat; it grows no where save in Gardens, and there most redundantly, whether they be hot or cold; it refuses no soyl; if it be cultivated and fat, and suppeditate humour whereon it may live; its seed germinates the latest of all, to wit, about forty or fifty dayes after its sature.

It bears leaves like Coriander, crisped; roots it hath, long, and ca∣pillated, which are pleasant for Aliments, and usefull for Medica∣ments.

It is given to such as are troubled with the stone, * 1.45 jaundies, and dif∣ficulty in ureting, and to such women as have not their flowers pro∣ceeding in due time.

CHAP. XXV. Of Sperage.

THE name Asparagus is given to this Herb, * 1.46 either because it grows upon a rough, sharp shrub, or its stalk being full of pricks, or else because it grows spontaneously without sa∣ture. For many grave Writers have attested, that it doth grow out of a horn of a Ram contunded and perforated: yet the re∣cent buds, and slender germination of this and other such Plants that may be cropped for Pot-herbs, were called in former times Sperages.

Now Sperage is either wilde, or sative, and both notorious e∣nough, putting forth many sprigs, and many little, long and slender leaves, which like Fennel, end in Capillaments.

This Pot-herb delights in siccity, and perishes by frequent riga∣tion; yet if it be irrigated in Autumn, it will put forth tender and succulent buds.

It proceeds from round roots, in number many, * 1.47 which are aper∣tive, deduce the passages, remove obstructions from the liver and reins, cure the suffusion of the gall, move flowers and urine.

CHAP. XXVI. Of Fennel.

ALL the parts of Fennel are usefull; * 1.48 for its tender branches mixed with sour Condiments, make them more gratefull; its seed decocted with Senny, discusses all that that causes flatuosity, and wringings in the guts; yea either mixed with others, or assumed alone, it effects innumerable benefits; its roots alone, without other mixture, remove obstructions.

It is a kinde of ferulaceous Plant, sometimes exceeding a mans height; its stalk is geniculated, filled with a fungous sap; its external cortex is smooth and green, its leaf like Maiden-weed, slender, long, soft, capillaccous, and suaveolent; its muscary or top, round, patu∣lous, broad, and circulated, whereon there depends a nude, long, and pale seed; its root is long, crass, white, and odoriferous.

There are two kinds of Fennel; one the Greeks call Marathrum, which also is two-fold; the one sweet, which is copious in Italy; the other common, whose seed is less, and sharper.

The second sort they call Erraticum, or Hippomarathrum, from its

magnitude; for it exceeds the sative Parsley in crassitude and pro∣cerity, and grows in Mauritania, sometimes twelve cubits in height, four palms in thickness; its seed is like Millet seed, its root white, and suaveolent.

Fennel calefies onely in the second degree, * 1.49 or beginning of the third.

Being drunk in wine, it helps the poyson of Serpents, moves flowers and urine, generates milk, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suffusion.

Hippomarathrum is more efficacious in all things? for it po••••ntly expells flowers and urine, ejects stones, purges the Kings evil, yea nothing so good against the poyson of Serpents.

Some will have wilde Parsnip to be a kinde of Fennel, its stak and muscary being feniculaceous: but their leaves, colour, odo••••, sapour, virtue and form, are very dissimilar. This Herb is called by some, Harts-eye; by others, Gratia Dei.

CHAP. XXVII. Of Ruscus, or Butchers-broom.

Ruscus, * 1.50 or Bruscus, seem to be a spinous Mirtle, or wilde Butchers broom, for it hath the form and leaves of a Mir∣tle, but they are more rigid, hard; macronate, and inodo∣rous. Certain red berries adhere to its virgults about the magnitude of Cherries, wherein two or three nuts are enclosed, of such osseous durity, that they will scarce admit of pulveration by triture.

Another Plant, called Hypogloss, and Laurus Alexandrina, hath some affinity herewith, but its leaves are softer and larger, out of the middle or superiour part whereof little leaves, like little tongues, proceed.

It grows in rude and uncultivated places; * 1.51 the decoction of its root moves flowers, breaks and expells the stone, cures stranguty, and the jaundies.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of the four greater frigid Seeds.

THese four are the Seeds of Gourd, * 1.52 Cucumber, Melons, and Ci∣trulls, under which many oleraceous Fruits are contained, which by the Antients are denoted by this name 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; yea there is such affi∣nity amongst these, that their nomenclatures seem to be indeterminate and indistinct; for many under the name Cucumber comprehend Melons and Pepons; under Cucurbites, Citrulls and Melo-pepons.

But culture and mangony hath effected many sorts of each; * 1.53 for they have designed four sorts of Cucurbites, the greater, the lesser, or the lagenarious, or the anguine, the long and blew one, besides Coloquintida, which is a wilde Cucurbite.

Cucumber is either sylvestrian, * 1.54 which is called the asinine Cucum∣ber, of whose juice an Elatery is confected; or sative, of which there are many sorts; for some are long, strait, and yellow; others shorter, green, and crooked; some compressed, broad, and round; others clypeiformous, and are commonly called Pepons.

Melons, by the French so called, * 1.55 are by the Italians named Pe∣pans, by Dioscorides, Melopepons; by the Antients, domestick Cu∣cumbers. But to avoyd the confusion of names, it is expedient we call those Fruits, which springing from the sative Sicya, (for so is the Plant whereon Melons grow, named) are fragrant like Quinces, or such redolent Apples, Melons; whereof, as well as of the rest, there are many sorts: for some from the suavity of their odours, and sapour, are called Moschatelline, others Saccharine Melons; others from the soyl and region wherein they grow, acquire other denominations.

Citrulls in magnitude exceed all the former which abound in the Countrey, whereof also there is much variety both in colour, figure, * 1.56 magnitude, and sapour; for some are short, others long; some plain, others round; some are unequal, others yellowish, which ex∣cell the rest in suavity.

And as these four Plants have mutual affinity in their form, so also in their faculties. Their seeds collected are the four greater frigid seeds, which are preserved for frequent use in Pharmacy.

CHAP. XXIX. Of the four lesser frigid Seeds; and first, of Lettice, and its seed.

LEttice, or Lactuce, * 1.57 is so called from the exuberance of la∣cteous juice that may be expressed from it; which is the first of Oils: for as it is most gratefull in Edibles and Con∣diments, so is it most salubre in Medicaments; for besides its faculty in generating laudable blood; it extinguishes the fervour of the blood and bowels, conciliates sleep, and helps such as labour of hectick Feavers, (Gal. c. 40. l. 2. de alim. &c. 13. l. de maras.) and it is a most familiar alimentous Medicament, much conducing to young and cholerick natures.

It may be sown at any time; and if the soyl be fat, well subacted, and exposed to the Sun, it will flourish, and largely diffuse it self.

If it be plucked while it is tender, and be transplanted into another soyl well stercorated, it will abundantly emit circumvolved leaves, and be capitated.

As no Pot-herb is more excellent, so none more notorious than Lettice, whereof we finde three kinds in Gardens; the wrinkled and vulgar, which is not capitated; the sessile, or capitated; and the Roman with black seed, and broad leaves. Some adjoyn two more, to wit, the Cecilian, and Cyprian or Grecian. Besides which, there grows another Herb in uncultivated places, which derives the deno∣mination of Lactuce, rather from its juice and seed, than from its form; which Galen calls Thridax. Some enumerate more sorts, from the variety of their colours, as white, red, black, and purpe∣reous Lettices.

All the parts, * 1.58 as also the seeds of Lettices, refrigerate and conci∣liate sleep; which remedy Galen successfully exhibited, when through long and continual studyes, his sleep had departed from him.

Though this seed be here reckoned amongst the lesser refrigera∣tives, yet is it accommodate to more uses; for it stayes the immode∣rate flux of the sperm, it moderates the ardour of urine, humectates refrigerates, leniates, quenches thirst, and conciliates sleep.

CHAP. XXX. Of Purslain, and its seed.

PUrslain seed is one of the lesser refrigeratives. And Purslain is a Garden herb most frequently exhibited in Broth and Con∣diments, which often inchoates Rusticks dinners; and is conserved a whole winter with salt and vinegar.

Purslain is two fold; either wilde, which grows spontaneously in every Vineyard, and abounds with many branches that creep a∣long the ground, being of a redly green colour. Or Garden Pur∣slain, which is by culture produced; whose leaves are more ample, more carnous, more succulent; whose branches are more erect, and not so hard. They are not much different in forms, but in faculties they are various; for the sative refrigerates, but the spontaneous ca∣lefies, as many attest.

The leaves of either of them contunded, * 1.59 and applyed to the corns of the feet, will cure them. They help Tetters, they asswage the head-ach, contracted by being in the Sun, if they be adhibited with Oil of Roses. Being manducated, they confirm loose teeth, and cure the ulcers of the mouth and jaws.

There is a Sea-Purslain, but it ingredes the composition of no Me∣dicaments described in our Shop.

CHAP. XXXI. Of other Seeds less frigid; and by the way, of Succoraceous Plants.

TWO other less frigid Seeds are desumed from Succory, whereunto many Herbs are referred, to wit, * 1.60 Chondrilla, * 1.61 Hieracium, Sow-thistle, Garden-Endive, wild Lettices, and all intubaceous Plants. But when we put Succory ab∣solutely, we mean of the wild Succory, which comes more fre∣quently into use in Medicine; and it is the genus of all those diffe∣rences of sative and wild Intubacies.

The sative Succory, or Intube, is by the Greeks called Seris, * 1.62 be∣cause it is sown: whereof there are two sorts, the one broad leafed, which some call Garden Endive; the other narrow leafed, which is called Seris, Garden Succory, or Endive; and by Sylvius, Intube. Galen calls them both Intubolachanum, that is, edible Endive, because Succory is reposed among pot-herbs for broth and sallets.

To the wild Succory are referred Sow-thistle, or yellow Succory, * 1.63 Lyons tooth, Hedypnois, so called, because it conciliates sleep; which Rondeletius calls Dioscorides his Chondril; by some, Monks-head; by others, Urinal.

Cicerbita, or Sow-thistle, in French Laicteron, because its juice is lacteous, is of the family of Endives, and grows in any place, whe∣ther cultivated, or not; whereof Dioscorides makes three sorts, the sharp, the smooth, and the procerous. The first is called by some Sows-snout. Clusius tells us of five sorts, two vulgar, the smooth, and the smoother; two austrial, the smooth, and the smoother; one Pannonical.

To the wild Succory also are referred all the sorts of Chondrils, whereof some constitute onely two, others three, besides Zacinth, or Wart-wort, and Perdion, which some call Sea-Chondril; others, Bulbose. So that all the sorts of Chondrils are six, which respond more to the sorts of Succory in faculties, than in form.

And if we may from affinity of qualities inferr conformity in a genus, * 1.64 then may Hawk-weed be reposed among the sorts of Suc∣cories; or as others will, among the Sow-thistles. Now there are many sorts of Hawk-weed, to wit, the greater, broad leafed, narrow leafed with a short root, the long rooted, the Hawk-weed of the Valley, and of the Mountains; some with leaves like Succory, o∣thers both in leaf and form like Chondrils, about which consult the more recent Herbalists.

But that I may return from whence I deviated; * 1.65 the various names of Succory have much obscured the sorts thereof: for the genus is oft put for the species, the species for the genus, and one species for another, and yet all designed by one name. These names are often attributed to Succory, Ambubeia, Picris, Intybum, Seris, Endivia, Seariola, Intubolachanum, yea and all the species of Hawk-weed, Ci∣cerbita, Soncius, Chondrilla, and wild Lettice are denoted by the name Succory.

Wild Lettice hath affinity with the kind of Succory, for it bears leaves like Garden-Endive, and in nature responds to the sorts of Poppy, though it cructates a soporiferous and poysonous odour, like Opium.

The seeds of wild Succory and Endive are they which are desu∣med for the seeds less frigid, whose qualities the appellation suffici∣ently indicates.

CHAP. XXXII. Of the four more calid Seeds; and first, of Anise.

THE four more calid Seeds are desumed from Anise, * 1.66 Fennel, Cumin, and Carraway. We have before shewed what Fennel is; and Anise the very women know, whose seeds they often use in incrustated Sugar, or else in confecting that bread they call Biscake, wherewith they mix Anise seed, because it conciliates a very grate∣full odour and sapour. They adde it also to many Condiments, for the better grace; for it sweetens the breath, moves urine, helps the Hydroptical, and conduces more to the ventricle than any olera∣ceous seed, (Dioss. c. 65. l. 3.) It is hot and dry in the third de∣gree, (Gal. l. 5. simpl.) yet the gust cannot perceive its calour to be so excessive. The Grecks and Latines call it Anisum, which is the name both of plant and seed, which I finde sometimes called Ari∣cetum.

This Plant is neither like Smallage nor Fennel, as Fuchsius and Ruellius assert, but a medium betwixt both: for its leaves are not so broad as Smallage, nor yet so small and capillaceous as Fennel. But because it is vulgarly notorious, I shall not stand further to de∣scribe it.

The Pharmacopolists say, that these seeds are hot and carmina∣tive, that is, discussive of statuosity, as they interpret it: but it ety∣mologie is obscure and unknown, unless they deduce it from the verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, to discerp or divide into minute parts; or from carmino, to kemb; whence the Arabians referr Carmes to

Maidens-hair. Now carminare is to kemb hair or flax, and that not all at once, but by little and little; and so flatuosity must be or∣derly and successfully discussed. But the true original of carmina∣tive I cannot attain, though it be a word much and long received and approved.

CHAP. XXXIII. Of Cumin.

CUmin is the name of a Plant and a Seed like some Fennel; * 1.67 whereof there are two sorts, one sative and domestick, the other wild. Hippocrates, who commends the sative for many diseases in women, calls it the Regal Cumin; Dioscorides, the Ethio∣pian; and some, the Egyptian and Asian Cumin.

It insists commonly on one stalk, about a foot or less high, bra∣chiated with many branches; its leaves are sected into slender parts, like Fennel, but they are shorter, and lesser; its top puts forth a round head, which first emits flowers, and is afterwards onerated with nude, strait, and chanelled seeds; its root is slender and odo∣rate; which withers as the seeds grow to maturity. It is sown, and grows plentiously in Spain, Italy, and some hot parts of France; if its seed be injected on fat soyl, it fruticates most of all Pot herbs; and some Idiots think, that it spreads most if it be sown by some wicked and malevolent person: but their opinion is rather derisible than probable.

The wild Cumin puts forth leaves like Chervil; exile stalks like Shepherds needle; it is capitulated with five or six round, hairy heads, wherein lodges sour seeds.

There is another sort very like the sative, which from every flower emits sublime cornicles, wherein seeds are contained, like Gith seed. And this seems to be the Plant which the Shopmen call Larks foot, and Regal Cumfrey.

It is hot and dry in the third degree; it attenuates, digests, * 1.68 and resolves; taken and adhibited; it discusses flatuosity, incides frigid humours, dissipates pituitous humours, expells poysons, and may be prosperously usurped against the Colical dolour, and Tympany.

CHAP. XXXIV. Of Carraway.

ALL the Society of Confectioners call Caron, * 1.69 or Careum, Carraway; Athenaeus calls it Carret, wherewith in form and faculty it agrees. It insists upon a stalk of a cubit height, quadrangular, intercepted with some genicles, hollow within, with leaves like Carrets. Its root is carnous, and yet gracile, long, white, and sometimes yellowish, of a pastinaceous sa∣pour. Its seed is on the tops of its branches like Fennel, blackish, and angulous; the Arabians call it Cardumeni, which Sylvius uses for Cardamome. But such as are skilfull in Arabick, think he is mistaken.

Carraway is hot and dry in the third degree; * 1.70 it moves urine, ex∣pells flowers, discusses flatuosity, roborates the stomack, helps con∣coction, is a good ingredient in the mixture of Antidotes, and may be used instead of Anise. Its root cocted, may be caten like Carret. (Diosc. c. 66. l. 3.)

CHAP. XXXV. Of the other four Seeds, which are calid in a less degree; and first, of Ameos.

AMeos is so like Cumin, that that which grows in Ethiopia is taken for Cumin. Its seed is sufficiently known; it is small, and much less than Cumin seed, which its appella∣tion seems to denote; for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 portends a very small seed like sand; which word designs the whole Plant.

Yet there are two sorts of Ammi; the one is the Ethiopian, which is greater than the common Ammi, and hath broader leaves.

The other is less, with smaller leaves, which is not so frequent. The former hath a green and round stalk, referted with many branches, long and strait leaves, divided with many incisures in their circumference; its muscary is like Anise, crowned with small flowers, onerated with small seeds smelling like Origanum, and acrimoniously bitter.

The stalk of the lesser Ammi is short, which puts forth many branches, long and capillaceous leaves, which are attenuated towards the top; small white flowers like the former, which are coacted into

round heads; its seed is long, small, and sharp; it is used by some for Sison: for Sison, according to Dioscorides, being a small seed growing in Syria, black, hot and long, like Smallage, or the lesser Ammi seed, it may be taken for, or at least substituted instead of Ammi.

Ammi is in gust, sharp, and somewhat bitter; it incides, attenuates, * 1.71 calefies, exsiccates, and digests; it moves flowers and urine, discusses flatuosity, and gripings in the guts.

It is thought that women would conceive more easily, if after co∣pulation they smell upon Ammi.

CHAP. XXXVI. Of Amomum; or, our Ladies Rose.

AMomum is not onely reckoned amongst exotical, but unknown Plants, for none of the Antients have accurately delivered its form or description: and Clusius, of the more recent Herbalists, who was very diligent in searching, and desirous to finde out the knowledge of this Art, hath left us three images or forms of this Herb: but we can scarce by probable conjecture finde which is its true effigies of these three; nay, we may as well think that none of them respond to it. First, he saith it is like a branch of a certain tree, which by its odour and suavity challenges affinity with the tree that bears Cloves, but its leaves and fruit are lesser and rounder than the Clove trees. Secondly (saith he) it well resembles the branches of paralious Tithymal. Thirdly, it is resembled by a short bough loaden with grains, like Cardamomum, hanging in clusters. But he ingeniously confesses, that it is very hard to determine which is the true Amomum.

Indeed that small, long, aromatical, and calefactive seed, which Apothecaries keep, and call Cretian Amomum, responds very well to the faculties of the true Amomum recorded by Dioscorides; but of what Plant it grows, is unknown to us. This, and many other rare Simples, have I seen and tasted, in the Pharmacopoly of Pasch. Ba∣zvin, a man of approved piety and learning, which vulgar Amomum, if it be not the true one, may very well be its substitute; I mean not Pliny's Amomum; which being impatient of cold, grows at Lutetia in earthen pots, with strait and copious branches circumvested with a green bark, coronated with flowers like to them of Myrtle, but longer, white, and stellaceous; after which, round, crass, flave, and succulent fruits, like them of Alkakengye, crupt. Galen substitutes Acorum to Amomum, though its denomination hath more cognation with Cardamome.

It calefies, astringes, and exsiccates; its decoction conduces to the liver and reins, and helps such as are bitten by Scorpions.

CHAP. XXXVII. Of Daucus, or Carret.

1. THis name, Daucus, comprehends three sorts of Plants under it. The first of that name is called Daucus absolutely, and is meant of the Cretian Daucus, which according to Die∣scorides, hath leaves like Fennel, a stalk of nine inches length, a head like Coriander, a white flower, long seed, like Cumin, whichis hirsute, with white doun. It is suaveolent in cating; and is most frequently used in the syrup of Mugwort, and may be pro∣sperously mixed with other Medicaments.

This Daucus grows not onely in Crete, but also in many other re∣gions, as in Germany, Italy, and Venetia: but the Cretian carries the name, though that which is brought from the Alps and Genoa be e∣very whit as good.

The second sort of Daucus is like Smallage, [ 2] but its acrimony is greater, its scent stronger, and sapour hotter.

The third hath leaves like Coriander, [ 3] white flowers, seed like Anise, but longer and sharper. There are other Plants like this, which are taken for it. Thus Theophrastus calls Carret Daucus. Thus wild Pastinaca and Caucalis borrow the denomination of Daucus.

Its seed, * 1.72 which is frequently used in Medicine, calefies, siccates, o∣pens, incides, moves flowers and urine, and discusses flatuosity.

We have before treated of Smallage, whose seed is reckoned a∣mongst the lesser Calefactives.

CHAP. XXXVIII. Of some eximious Flowers, from which most effi∣cacious Waters and Oils are extracted; and first, of Roses.

ROse is so common, spontaneously growing in every hedge, that it cannot but be known. There are two sorts hereof; one wild, which is called Cynorrhodon, or Dog-rose; the other, Garden-rose, which we call Rose absolutely: whereof there are many sorts, to wit, red, white, pale, incarnate, lu∣teous,

ceruleous, which grows in many places in Italy; and the mo∣sellate Rose, which flourishes in Autumn.

Other varieties may be educed out of these by art and mangony; but three onely are used in Medicine, to wit, white, red, and damask waters are distilled out of the white; Honey of Roses, Conserve, Oil, and Unguent, of the red; and Syrup laxative are made of the damask.

There are many parts in Roses, to wit, the flower, the stalk ca∣pillaments, granules, little flowers, the calix, the seed, the daun. Some call those little flowers that adhere to the capillaments, An∣thera; but Anthera properly is a compound Medicament used to the affections of the mouth, as it appears by Actuarius, (c 7. l. 6. meth. med.) by Celsus, (c. 11. l. 6.) by Oribasius and Marcellus.

All Roses have not the same faculty; for the pale relax, the red astringe, both roborate; as also the common white and sweet Roses: for all sweet odours recreate and refresh the spirits, as also those vi∣tal and animal parts that hold the principality.

CHAP. XXXIX. Of Nymphea, or Water-Lilly.

THis Nymphea, which the Poets feign to have sprung from a dead Nymph that was jealous of Hercules, is the most used of all water-plants in Medicine; whereof Pharmacopolists make two sorts; one greater, which beart white flowers; the other less, which bears luteous flowers. Both grow in standing waters and fens.

The greater hath ample, round and green leaves, gracile, long, smooth, and round stalks, white flowers, in candour and magnitude resembling Lillyes, and yellow in the middle; a black, nodous; and long root: some call it Water Lilly; some, Ne••••ybar; and others, Heraclea.

The lesser grows in a slimy, watty soyl, on slender stalks, about 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cubits long, whereon a yellow shining flower grows, like a Rose; its root is white, nodous, sharp, and sweet.

Nymphea refrigerates exceedingly, asswages salacity, * 1.73 retains the immoderate flux of the seed; and being drunk, and exhibited by way of liniment, it quite extinguishes the seed; it conciliates sleep, and wholly takes away Venery, if its decoction, or conserve, or sy∣rup made of its flowers be long used.

CHAP. XL. Of Lilly.

Lilly is by some of the Greeks called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; by others, who believe that it was produced by Juno her milk, it is called Juno's Rose; in Garlands it is placed next to the Rose; for its eximious candour, suaveolence, and elegant form il∣lustrate its dignity.

This Plant is very fecund, for one root will produce and nourish fifty heads. It consists commonly of one stalk two cubits high, and sometimes higher, comous, with leaves like Ragwort, but something longer, twined, and green, with a flower in form of a basket, whole labra constitute a circle, out of which bottom issue shining tufts, like yellow yearn, and whose extremity is tuberous.

This broad and elegant flower adhering to a small, slender, and languid peduncle; and another to a crass and rigid branch, encom∣passed with leaves, which withers about the end of Summer, and buds again at the beginning of Autumn.

There are many sorts of Lillyes; for besides the white and com∣mon, which is so called absolutely, there is another, they call the white Byzantian Lilly, which hath got its distinction from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 where it grows; another there is of a cruent colour, another ye••••w another light red. There is also a small Lilly, they call the Lilly of the Valley; and there is a great one, they call the Persian Lilly, or more commonly, the Imperial Crown, which the Barbarians of Tusat; whereunto we may adde the Day-Lilly, Chalcedony By∣rantine, and such like, whereof now to treat, were beyond our in∣stitution.

The root of white Lilly is malactical and anodynous, and of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 use in decocting glysters, and confecting emollitive and matter moving Cataplasms. An Oil also may be extracted out of the flowers infused for the same purposes. Their water also distilled, will take wrinkles out of ones face, and make it of a very white colour.

CHAP. XLI. Of Crocus, or Saffron.

WE referr to the order of these eximious flowers, * 1.74 the golden coloured red flower, of a bulbous Plant, which the Phy∣sicians call Crocus; the French men following the idiome of the Mauritanians Saffron. But it is a bulbous Plant, lively and car∣nous, whose leaf is narrow and gramineous, whose flower is like meadow Hermodactyle, with filaments of a purple and golden co∣lour, and whose odour is intense with some sharpness. It grows best about fountains and high-wayes, rejoycing to be torn and trod upon, which (as they say) comes better on by being killed.

But the best of all grows in Corycus, a Mountain of Cilicia, for its odour is more fragrant, and its colour more aureous. It is green in the Spring, it dilates it self all Summer, in Autumn are its flowers gathered, which are not usurped for medicinary and culinary uses solely, but many more, when any aureous colour is desired.

Now Crocus is either domestick, whereof Dioscorides enumerates many sorts; or sylvestrian, whereof Dodonaeus describes more; all which, for brevities sake, I omit.

It is hot in the second degree, dry in the first; * 1.75 if moderately u∣sed, it helps the brain, refocillates the senses, excites sleep and tor∣pour; by recreating the heart, it begets joyfulness, draws the hu∣mours to concoction, and much profits him that knows how to use it with prudence. Mesue makes an Oil thereof, which ingredes the confection of the Emplaster made of Frogs. It goes also to other compositions, as to the Syrup of King Sabor, and to the Oxycrocean Emplaster; whereunto it gives not onely colour, but also eximious faculties.

SECTION II. Of Purgative Simples.

The Preface.

OUR former Section being finished, wherein we have clearly unfolded and explained such common Simples as are as it were Preparatives, and occur every where to the composi∣tion of Medicaments; we will proceed therefore in the next place to describe such Catharticks as purge humours by subdacing the belly; and they are such as are given sometimes by themselves alone, or mingled with such Compositions as are prescribed in our Shop.

And these are for the most part exetical and forreign, conveyed to us dry, from savage and barbarous Regions.

Yet some we have growing with us, especially in hot Regions; net they do not retain the same virtues and qualities that the other have, but come far short; and therefore it is that they are rejected, and the forreign (which are brought from India and Arabia) used.

Notwithstanding, our Soyl is not altogether so ungratefull, but the it affords many excellent purging Simples, as we shall here demonstrait in this Section.

CHAP. I. Of Rhabarb.

MAny of the Antients put no difference betwixt Rhaponticum and Rhabarbarum, nor betwixt the greater Centaury and Rhaponticum, but made one of three several Plants. But that our vulgar Rhabarb is not Rhaponticum, the description of Dio∣scorides doth sufficiently evince; and that Rhaponticum is not the greater Centaury, the same Author demonstrates, in that he treats of them in divers Chapters, and describes them in different forms and faculties.

Our vulgar Rhabarb is so called, because it is the most eximious root among the Barbarians, or Indians, or Troglodites; or perhaps it may derive its denomination from Rha, a Rivers name in Pontus, as the nomenclature of Rhaponticum is from thence probably acknow∣ledged. But since Rha in the peregrine idiome denotes a root, Rha∣barbarum, that is, the Barbarians root, may by an Antonomasy be put for the best root, which the Arabians call Raved, the Chinians Ravam, where it is most frequent, and where it is thus denoted, without further addition.

The Rhabarb that comes out of the Dominions of Sina, is the most approved, where it both grows plentifully, and almost sponta∣neously; and is thence conveyed into Ormus, Persia, Arabia, and Alexandria; which afterwards coming to us, is called Indian, Ara∣bick, and Turkish Rhabarb.

Rhabarb is very like our common round * 1.76 Dock; its root is very crass, round, externally somewhat black, internally flave, like the colour of a Nutmeg; which macerated or masticated, infects with a Saffron colour.

It is a cholagogous Medicament, benign, and roborative to the liver and ventricle: it conduces very much to dysenterick, cholerick, and other affections proceeding from the imbecillity of the liver.

CHAP. II. Of Cassia.

THis name comprehends three Plants under it, to wit, * 1.77 Sweet-Cane, which Theophrastus calls Cneoron, and its probable Virgilius means by his Lavendula: Cassia * 1.78 Li∣gnea, or small Cane, and Cassia * 1.79 Fistula, or siliquous Cane, which is a tall tree, bearing leaves like our Wallnut tree, whereunto it is like. The materiality of its wood is compact and hard, its cortex thin and flave.

Its roots are husked, long, round, black, externally ligneous, in∣ternally pithy, black, and abundantly pregnant with many round and plain seeds, distinguished by certain ligneous and transverse mem∣branes.

The Antients either were ignorant of, or else grossely neglected this tree. The Arabians having first experienced its salutiferous use, first commended it.

The marrow or pith of Cassia humectates, * 1.80 tempers immoderate heat, lubricates, lenifies and subduces the belly, educing the excre∣ments without gripings. It may be successfully given to young men, old men, and pregnant women.

CHAP. III. Of Tamarinds.

THE Arabick word, * 1.81 Tamar, signifies a Date; not because the fruit of the tree is like thereunto, but because the Barbarians took no care to give it any more proper denomination than what the vulgarity imposed upon it, by whom these Fruits are called Tama∣rinds, that is, Indian Dates.

The Greeks for their acidity call them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, acid Dates; but without reason, for they resemble no Dactyle.

The tree whereon Tamarinds grow, is tall, hard, and compact, like our Wallnut tree, or Oak, encompassed with many boughs, and adorned with leaves minutely incided, about the magnitude of Palm leaves. These Fruits, when immature, are green and acid; when mature, they are cineritious, their acidity not without suavity.

But Mesue speaks inconsiderately, when according to Garcla's judgement, he thinks that Tamarinds are the fruits of wild Date trees in India, whereas there is not a Date tree in all India, but what is conveyed from Arabia. They grow on a tree fair to look on, bra∣chiated with many boughs, adumbrated with abundance of leaves, like some female Fern, called by the Spaniards Helecho, coronated with fair, odorate, and white flowers, after whose fall, the fruits e∣merge, which at first are green, and are nocturnally involved in leaves, to keep them from the cold, diurnally exposed to the Sun. These leaves will inflect themselves, though there be no fruit in the night season; and so the boughs of the tree are hedged in there∣with.

In Malavar, Tamarinds are called Puli; in Guzarat, Ambili; in Canary, Chincha; and in other regions they assume other denomina∣tions. * 1.82 They gently subduce the belly, leniate, temperate, and pro∣more adust humours; they are cold in the third degree, dry in the second.

CHAP. IV. Of Myrobalambs.

IF names should answer the natures of the named, these fruits should rather be called Syriacks or Arabicks, than Myrobo∣lambs; seeing they neither resemble the idea of an Acorn, nor yield the fragrancy of an odoriferous Unguent, as the etymo∣logie of the name portends.

And if Galen or Dioscorides have given the name, Myrobalamb, to any Fruit besides its nature, that same differs as much from a true Myrobalamb, as an inodorate thing from an odorate, and a Prune from an Acorn.

The nomenclature then is more received by use and custome, than by reason and nature. And these we call Myrobolambs, are but cer∣tain sorts of Plums, decerped from as many different trees, as they have different firnames: for the diversity of their forms and facul∣ties demonstrate the errours of such, who contend that they grow upon one and the same tree, but are severally at divers seasons col∣lected.

There are five sorts thereof, the flave, the Indian or black, * 1.83 the Bellirian, the Chebulian, and the Emblian; many whereof grow in the Kingdome of Cambaia, whose names Garcias hath got from the Inhabitants, and hath delineated the several trees and fruits in a few words.

Arare (saith he) or the flave Myrobalamb, is round, and bears leaves like Sobrus: Rezanuale, or the Indian black Myrobalamb, is eight squared, and hath leaves like a Willow. Gotim, or the Belli∣rian, hath leaves like Bay, but more cineritious and pale. Aretca, or the Chebulian Myrobalambs, are great and round, yet not perfectly round, but somewhat long, when they attain their full growth, and bear leaves like the Peach tree. Anuale, or the Emblian, have their leaves minutely incided, and about a hand length.

The trees are generally of the magnitude of Plum trees, all wild, growing spontaneously, none domestick. Avicenna calls Myroba∣sambs, Delegi; but the Arabians give peculiar names to each sort; calling the flave, Azfar; the Indian, Asuat; the Bellirian, Hele∣ragi; the Chebulian, Quebulgi; the Emblian, Embelgi.

The several sorts of Myrobalambs have a several and peculiar fa∣culty; for the flave, or orange-colour'd, are cholagogous; the In∣dian, or black, purge melancholy, and exhilarate; the Chebulian and Emblian are phlegmagogous; all purge clemently, astringing, and roborating the heart and liver.

CHAP. V. Of Aloes.

ALoes is the name both of the juice, and of an Herb very usefull in Pharmacy; for whether it be internally assu∣med, or externally applyed, it produces falutiferous ef∣fects. And it is a Plant either little, or not at all, like Scilla, as some conjecture; for its leaves are crasser, fatter, longer, and broader, sharp on both sides, jagged, bent backward, aculeated with blunt pricks, pregnant with viscid and tenacious juice, and fo∣liated like the greater House-leek. Its stalk is a foot high, its flowers white, and seed like Daffadil; its root is single and crass, like a stake struck into the earth.

It grows plentifully in India, from whence its juice is brought, as also in Arabia, and other hot Countryes.

This Plant will, through its tenacious juice, live two years, and emit new leaves, if it be set upon a board: but if it be cast on the ground, it withers. It is by some for its lively nature (for it is al∣wayes green) called the Seas Sempervive; yet it will soon tabefy, if it be not preserved from cold, whereof it is very impatient.

The whole Plant is graveolent, and its sapour bitter, but especially its juice, which out of what part soever it be extracted, is very use∣full in Medicinal Confections.

Its liquor concreted, and brought to us, is of two sorts; the one sandy, and contaminated with filth, which we call Aloe Caballine, and use in curing horses, and the like; the other is coacted like a liver, and is thence called Hepatical Aloes, or Aloe succotrine; or Succo-citrine, its powder being of Citrine, or Orange colour. It is also called by some, Socotorine, because it comes out of an Island so called. The yellow, fat, clear, and friable, made up like a liver, is the best; the black, hard, sandy, and impure, is not good.

It is hot in the first degree, dry in the third; applyed, it conden∣sates, astringes, exsiccates, and glutinates the wounds; assumed, it opens, reserates the passages, moves and stimulates the Hemorrhoides, roborates the ventricle, subduces the belly, purges cholerick and phlegmatick humours, kills and expells belly-worms, takes away ob∣structions, exarceates putretude, and preserves bodyes long from corruption.

CHAP. VI. Of Seeny, or Senna.

AS all the precepts of Pharmacy were not at first put in pra∣ctice, * 1.84 so neither were all Medicaments at first marshall'd under precepts, or indeed brought to light; for the An∣tients had no knowledge of that we call Seeny; the Persi∣ans, Abalzemer; than which, no purgative now more frequent, more usual, more usefull. It is a siliquous Plant, brought to us from the Eastern Countryes, much like our Collutea, but its leaves better resemble the greater Myrtle. Flowers of a dusky colour issue out of the hollow betwixt its stalk and stem, appended on tenuious pe∣dicles; to which succeed little, long, plain incurvated leaves, gravi∣dated with small, brown, compressed seeds, like Gygars.

Its roots, which are long and slender, are useless in Pharmacy, especially if its stalk be not long-lived; which being impatient of cold, lives not above four months in the Western Countryes, nor in Raly after Autumn.

There are two sorts hereof; one wild, whose leaves are lesser, rounder, and more useless; the other domestical, whose leaves are larger more acute, and usefull.

Seeny calefies not so much as some think; * 1.85 for it is but hot about the end of the first degree, or beginning of the second, and dry a∣bout the end of the second. It purges clemently both cholcrick and crass phlegmatick humours; it deterges, digests, and expurges all viseid humours, and adust choler from the brain, lungs, spleen, liver, ventricle, and mesentery; and cures all diseases in those parts, ari∣sing from these humours.

It is exhibited either in form of powder, * 1.86 as when it ingredes the Electuary of* Diabalzemer, or Catholicon, or infused and decocted, as when purgative Syrupus de pomis, or laxative Apozemes are made thereof. But seeing in concoction it excites gripings and flatuosity, it must be mixed either with Anise, or Coriander, or Fennel seeds, to discuss its flatuosity.

CHAP. VII. Of Mechoacan root.

ACertain crass root cut into short stakes, and dryed, hath been of late brought us from the Province of Mechoacan, and bears the Provinces name. This peregrine root is purgative, of a pale colour, and crass, which puts forth many long, and imbecil boughs, which without fulciments would lay along the ground; but being annexed to perches, they grow up, and with many involutions amplect them like Briony, to which its effigies is very similar, but its faculties dissident: * 1.87 for Briony is sharp and hot, Mechoacan almost infipid, and voyd of all acrimony. The leaves of Briony are broad, and quinquangular, and divided like Vine leaves, but more sharp, hirsute, and white; its flowers small, white, racemous, and congre∣gated like Grapes. And Mechoacous leaves are ample, but withall tenuious, sad-green, and mucronated onely on one side, not angular like Briony. Its fruits are many, cohering in bunches about the ma∣gnitude of Corianders, which come to maturity in Autumn. The whitish and freshest root is best.

Some call this root white Rhabarb; others, American Scammo∣ny; the Pharmacopolists, Mechoacan root. That which is very white, or black, or worm-eaten, is naught.

It is hot in the first degree, and dry in the second; it purges, and that facilely, pituitous and watry humours, not debilitating like other purgatives, but roborating the parts. It should be dissolved rather in wine than in other liquors; it may be safely adhibited to old men and boyes; it conduces very much to such as are infested withan inveterate cough, with colick dolour, and with the French disease.

CHAP. VIII. Of Agarick.

MUshromes are either terrestrial, which grow out of the earth, or arboreous, which adhere to the stocks of trees; for there's scarce an inveterate tree, but some kinde of cam∣pinion adheres thereunto; either blackish and rugous, as on Oaks, and Wallnut trees; or crass, dure, and whitish, as on the Beech tree; or white, full, soft, and friable, as Agarick that is ex∣cerped from the Larix tree. Which tree is nobilitated with three sorts of excrements, as Larix Rosine, which is more humid than

others, and voyd of all acrimony, which is by some sold for Tur∣pentine. Laxative Manna, which is collected from its effracted boughs and branches; and Agarick, which grows upon its bole, when inveterate.

The coniferous Larix tree is of eximious procerity, assurging with a strait stalk, incorticated with a crass bark, dehiscing with fre∣quent chinks, circumvested with many leaves, short, soft, and tenui∣ous, like Pine leaves, not aculeated, but retuse, which numerously cohere together in each tubercle. Its apples are small, almost like them of the Cypress tree.

That Agarick that seems to be the impostume of the Larix tree, is best, which is white, rare, friable, at the first sweet to the gust, afterwards bitter and styptical. Democritus calls it, Medicamentum familiae.

It grows in Galicia and Cilicia; but the best comes from Agaria, a region of Samatia, whence it derives its denomination. Now we have very good from Delphinatus, a Province of France, and many parts of Italy, where procerous Larix trees grow copiously, on whose trunks Agarick grows; which is no root, as Dioscorides and Galen conjectured.

It is hot in the first degree, dry in the second; it purges flegm, li∣berates obstructions, attenuates, deterges, dissipates flatuosity, and eases us of all diseases proceeding from viscid, crass, and frigid hu∣mours.

CHAP. IX. Of Polypody.

POlypody is so tearmed, because many knots and tubercles, like the Fishes called Polypi, grow on its roots. It is also called Dentropteris, or tree fern, because it grows on trees, and some∣times on umbrous stones, mossy walls, and such humid places.

It is an herb without stalk, flower, and seed, consisting onely of a root and leaves like masculine fern, but lesser, and maculated on the under side with yellow spots. Its root is hirsute and long, about the crassitude of a little finger, extending it self obliquely, and exaspe∣rated with many lumps; within it is porraceous and virid, like a Pastick nut; its sapour is very sweet, subamare, austere, and some∣what aromatical; but it doth not much affect the tongue.

It doth not calefy in the third degree, as Mesue thought; but it's probable that it exsiccates in the second; it deterges, digests, and ficcates crass and viscid humours, educes melancholick and viscid flegm, and that even from the articles, if it be copiously assumed. It sustains much coction, and is seldome given alone, but mixed with

other purgatives, which may adauge its imbecil purgative faculty. The broth of an old Cock, the decoction of Bete or Mallows, much augment its purgative faculty. It helps also some affections, when it is externally applyed, (Diosc. c. 188. l. 4.)

CHAP. X. Of Carthamus. Bastard or Spanish Saffron.

AS the nomenclature of Cartham denotes this herb to be pur∣gative, so doth Enicus shew it spinous. For Cartham is a Plant, which as to its faculty is subductive, and to its cognation of the sorts of Carduus. It assurges on a stalk two cubits high, and more, which is strait, hard, ligneous, and towards the top ramous. Its leaves are long, broad from the middle to the stalk, acuminated towards the top, and aculeated in their ambient.

The extremities of the branches produce some round heads, about the magnitude of Olives, obduced with many spinous skins, which emit Saffron-colour'd flowers, so like them of Crocus, that most per∣spicacious eyes may be deceived in them: hence the Vulgar call it the wild Crocus.

To these succeed long, smooth, white, angulous, and splendent seeds, effigiated like them of Heliotrope, whose cortex is hard, and medulla, or pith, white, fat, and sweet. Cartham is by the Seplasia∣ries called wild Crocus; by the Medicks, Cnicum: whereof there are two sorts, the one sative, or vulgar; the other wild, whereof Theophrastus makes two sorts also; the one with a strait caul, which women use for distaffs, which according to Ruellius, (c. 155. l. 3.) is a kinde of thistle, and wild Cartham; the other lower, grosser, and more hirsute, which they call Carduus Benedictus, of which elsewhere.

Carthamus seed is purgative; * 1.88 for its very pith solely assumed, is flegmagogous; and mixed with other Medicaments, expurges lent and frigid humours: but that it calefies not in the third degree, sense demonstrates, contrary to Galen's opinion.

CHAP. XI. Of Wallwort, or Dwarf-Elder.

WAllwort and Elder are so similar, * 1.89 that they seem to differ solely in magnitude; whence Dioscorides calls them both Elders, the one the Arboreous Elder, the other the Dwarf-Elder.

Elder grows into a tall tree sometimes, whose boughs and bole are hollow, medullous, and round, like reeds; first green, then ci∣neritious, ligneous, and hard; * 1.90 its leaves are like them of a Wallnut tree, but graveolent, and in their ambient frequently incided. Its flowers are many, small, white, and elegantly composed into heads; whose consequents are turgent berries, of a sanguineous colour. The Elder germinates first of wild trees, and is last denudated of its leaves.

But Wall-wort, or Dwarf-Elder, is more herbaceous, and low, whose stalk is neither ligneous nor perpetual, but annually tabefying and dying. It grows best in moyst and fat soyls, especially if they be incultivated. Its leaves are ample, and incided about. Its flowers composed into heads, are numerous, white, odorate, not fetid. Its fruits like Elders, are small, round, black, and pregnant with juice and seed. Its roots are crass, long, and carnous; out of its fruits in Autumn they get small seeds, which they keep in their Pharmacopo∣lies. Both its roots and seeds are hydragogous, and very apertive, and therefore usefull in hydroptical and watry diseases.

CHAP. XII. Of Esula, or Devils milk.

THere are seven sorts of Tithymals enumerated amongst the lacteous Plants, whereunto Esulae are congenerate, * 1.91 for they are all lacteous, and purge flegm with griping and mole∣station. yet Esula is by the Rusticks taken for Rhabarb, and so frequently used to the valitude of many, and the death of more.

It is called Esula, or Caula; by the Arabians, Alsebran; by Dia∣scorides, Peplus; by the Shopmen, Esula rotunda, because its small leaves are orbiculated. It grows in vineyards, hedge sides, and many incultivated places.

Another Plant, which Dioscorides calls Peplion, and Peplis, and

some water Plantain, hath much cognation, and the same virtues with this Esula. The round and lesser Esula is better than the greater, which hath leaves like Tithymal.

Esula is hot, * 1.92 sharp, and ulcerative, violently educing flegm; its substance being tenuious, is igneous, sharp, incisive, tenuative, fu∣sive, apertive, and siccative. Besides flegm, it draws also choler from the junctures.

Its ferity is castigated by infusion in vinegar, as we have shewed (in Officina, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 8. l. 2.) or by admistion of some cordials or robe∣ratives.

CHAP. XIII. Of Hermodactyls.

HErmodactyls, * 1.93 and Colchian Ephemora, are bulbe•• Plants, similar in form, in faculties dissimilar; for * 1.94 Ephe∣mer•••••• is strangulative, in one day suffocating the assu∣mer, and no way subducing the belly in purging; where∣as Hermodactyls are no way perilous, and yet expurge orderly flegm from the junctures.

There is also indigenous Ephemerum, which some call wild Lo••ks, or meadow Cracus, whose leaves are but three or four, long, broad, smooth, * 1.95 and fat ones, whose flowers are in colour and form like them of Crocus, issuing out at the same time, to wit, in Autumn. I•• root is like an Onion; it grows in meadows, and moyst places, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is by some erroneously usurped for Hermodactyle; for this being exsiccated, is flaccid, feeble, and not at all purgative, nor yet per∣nicious, as the Colchian Ephemerum, which is strangulative; where∣as Hermodactyle is exotical, and not flaccid as this, but hard, com∣pact, and easily pulverable, which educes humours from the remote parts and junctures of the assumer. Now one sort of Ephemerum is lethal and strangulative, to wit, the Colchian; another not stran∣gulative, to wit, our indigenous one; a third purgative and safe, to wit, the Syrian, which in Pharmacopolies is called Hermodactyla.

Hermodactyle calefies and siccates in the beginning of the se∣cond degree; * 1.96 yet with such excrementitious, flatulent, and na••••ea∣tive humidity, that it makes the ventricle aversant to it; especially then, when the commoved humours with one conflux come upon it. It draws flegm, and other viscid humours, even from the articles, and therefore conduces much to the Chiragry, Podagry, and other dolours in the junctures proceeding from pituitous humours.

CHAP. XIV. Of Turbith.

THE enarration of no Plant is so much controverted as that of Turbith: Mesue calls it a Lactary, and a ferulaceous Herb: Serapio thinks it is the root of Tripoly: Acluarius one while sayes it is the root of Pityussa; another while, Dioscorides his Alypum; and the more, because it is whitish. Some think it's the root of Tapsia, others of Scammony; but Garcias will have it a Plant different from all these; For (saith he) it is a plant whose root is neither great, nor long; whose caul, of about a fingers crassitude, and two palms longitude, is extended along the earth like Ivy. Its leaves are like them of Althea, as also its flowers, which are whitish, or red, not changing their colour thrice in a day, like Tripoly, as fome have foolishly credited.

Now all Turbith is not gummous, but onely that part of the caul that is next the root; which part is also most usefull, the rest being too gracile and comous to be used.

It purges onely flegm, not choler, as Alypum doth, which some call Herba terribilis; for its flowers, leaves and seeds move ter∣rible purgations. Perhaps this Herb is called Turbith from the like faculty, as Turbith because turbative, which the Arabians call Ter∣beth; which name they also give to their more valid flegmagogous Simples.

Turbith then, according to Garcias, is neither the root of Alypum, nor of Tripoly, nor of Scammony, nor of Tapsia, nor yet any lacteous or ferulaceous Plant; neither is the gummous or domestick the best, according to Mesue; however, there is no Shop wherein good Tur∣bith may not be found noted with those ensigns which Mesue gives it. Whereunto also that same that Garcias depinges in other linea∣ments, which the Arabians call Caritamion, responds in faculties.

But which is the true Turbith, is yet ancipitous. That is most ap∣proved of, which is some what white and cineritious, easily frangible and fresh; for the inveterate is imbecil, and conturbates the bowels.

It is hot in the third degree, purges by moderate traction; * 1.97 and if it be corrected, educes crass, viscid and putrid flegm from the ven∣tricle, breast, remote parts, and junctures.

CHAP. XV. Of Scammony.

BY Scammony we understand not onely the concrete juice of a certain Plant, but also the Plant it self. And it is a lacteous, volvulous, scansory, and smooth Plant; in leaf, flower, and form, very like Similax; in root somewhat different, which in Si∣milax is slender, in Scammony crass, long, candid within, graveo∣lent, and pregnant with juice; out of which, slender and viticulous branches issue, which climbe up the adjoyning bushes, amplexing and implicating them. Its leaves are broad, and acuminated like A∣risaron, but lesser; its flowers are albid and cave, like a scale; it grows plenteously in fat soyl, chiefly in Antioch and Syria.

The liquor commonly called Scammony, is collected out of i•• roots after several manners; as first, the head of the root is resected, then excavated with a knife, that the juice may run in the concame∣rated passage, till it be brought to fit receptacles or vessels suppos••••ed. Secondly, the earth about the root is effoded, and the root left in a concamerated hole, whereunto the juice is profunded upon Wall•••••• tree leaves therein subjected, which after concretion is extracted. Thirdly, the root evelled, is incided, and the juice issuing from it, is exsicced, formed into lumps, and preserved. Fourthly, juice is ex∣tracted from its leaves and caul by triture, which exsiccated, coacted, and kept. But Scammony so educed, is either black, or of a sal green, which is the worst; that is best, which exudes out of the root by incision, especially that which comes from Antioch; that which comes out of Armenia is next; out of Europe, bad enough.

The best is nitid, splendid, clear like gum, somewhat white, rate, fungous, spongious, easily liquescible, tender, friable, not ponderous, nor very graveolent, nor yet suaveolent, but like taurine glew. And by how much any recedes more from these notes, by so much it is worse.

All Scammony purges validly, * 1.98 moving the belly with labour and molestation; it expurges flegm, and watry, thin and sharp humours; and if it be too largely assumed, it abrades the intestines, hurts the bowels, opens and crodes the orifices of the veins, draws blood downwards, excites the dysentery, conturbates the heart, liver, and other intrals, and subverts the ventricle; it is hot and dry in the third degree.

Its efferous faculty may be castigated by the admistion of Aloes, * 1.99 but better if it be decocted in a Quince excavated, and roasted upon coals, or in an oven, with some seeds of Smallage, Fennel, and Dan∣cus: but the most usual correction is by the admistion of the juice of Quince, or Roses.

Scammony thus castigated, * 1.100 is by the Pharmacopolists called Dia∣crydium, which they corruptly term Diagredium. When it is too new, it is efferous; when antiquated, imbecil and torminous; for it moves, but emoves not good diet.

CHAP. XVI. Of Hellebor, or Bears-foot.

ELlebore, or Hellebore, is either white, or black. There be two sorts of white, the greater, and the lesser; the greater bears leaves like Plantain, or rather Gentian, but larger, more veinous, skrewed and complicated. Its caul is strait and long, emit∣ting many branches, out of which white flowers emerge. Its root is cepous, crass, and white, whereunto many fibres adhere. It calefies and siccates in the third degree; it educes many, but chiefly pituitous humours, but not without molestation; it excites vomit in the Assu∣mer, and its powder adhibited at the nostrils, moves sternutation. Elleborine is very like that same the Pharmacopolists keep.

Black Hellebore is quadruple; the first sort is the true Hellebore; * 1.101 the second, Garden Pseudo-ellebore; the third, Dioscorides his Hellebore, or Bears foot; the fourth is wild Pseudo-ellebore. Some adde black ferulaceous Hellebore, and the great Elleboraster.

The true black Hellebore emits broad, full, smooth, hard leaves, * 1.102 like Laurel, whose ambient is incided: its flowers are broad, patu∣lous, first albid, then purpureous; in whose middle, when they are ready to decide, grow short husks, pregnant with small seeds. Its root is manifold, disterminated into many black fibres and radicles. It flourishes in the winter solstice, and deep snows.

This sort of Hellebore is most usual among Medicks, and should be usurped, when Hellebore is put absolutely and simply; which the Latines call Veratrum; the Arabians, Cherabachen.

It purges Melancholy, and profits such as are mad, frantick, * 1.103 hy∣pochondriacal, splenical, epileptical, elephantical, and infested with a quartane feaver, conducing much to all diseases proceeding from choler and melancholy: but it is perilous to the sane, imbecil, and young.

CHAP. XVII. Of Coloquintida.

THis Plant is a certain sylvestrian Cucurbite, by the Greeks and Latines called Colocynthis; by the Arabians, Landbel, and the Death of Plants; by the Persians, Fel terrae, as that which superates all other Plants in amaritude; and, accor∣ding to Mesue, infects its neighbours poysonously. It creeps out of the earth like sative Cucurbite; its leaves are also like thereunto, ample and lanuginous; its branches long, and serpentine; its flowe•• of a dusky pale colour, like them of Cucumbers, whereof some dye presently, producing no fruit; others suppeditate round apples in the form of an indifferent ball, very bitter, fungous, pithy, and gra∣vidated with seeds like them of Cucumbers; which at first are green, but when they have attained to Autumn, and their perfect magni∣tude, they are pale. They are alwayes very bitter, and kill not one∣ly the vicine Plants, but with adustion affect the earth about them, as Mesue relates at large, who writes much of Colocynthis; which I, thinking to be of small moment, will not rescribe.

It calefies and siccates in the third degree, * 1.104 attracting pituitous and other crass humours from all parts, as the brain, nerves, muscles, and articles, though very remote. It purges Choler also, and often pro∣sperously cures the colical colour, Apoplexy, Vertigo, Epilepsy, difficulty of breathing, and many other affections, which more cle∣ment Medicaments cannot help. Let him that would know more, read Mesue, (c. 4. l. 2. de simpl. med. purg.)

There is a kinde of sylvestrian and erratical Cucumber, * 1.105 which the Shopmen call sometimes asinine, sometimes anguine Cucumber, whose leaves, branches, and flowers, differ not much from the for∣mer. But in Fruits they are alien, for this produces not round, spo••∣gious, and white apples, as the former, but long acorns somewhat green, which having acquired their perfect magnitude, will presently leap away at the light contrectation of ones finger.

The juice drawn out of this, and coacted, makes the Elatery we spoke of before.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Mezereon, and Chamelaea; or Widow-wail, and Spurge-olive.

MAny, through too much oscitancy, confound Mezereon, * 1.106 Thymelaea, Chamelaea, and Chameleo niger. Thymelaea in∣deed, and Chamelaea, are affine both in form and nature. But black Chameleon differs from them both, for they are shrubby Plants, emitting tenuious, rigid, and ligneous branches, with small leaves like Pomegranate leaves; but black Chameleon is of the fa∣mily of Thistles, bearing leaves like Artichoke, but lesser, more te∣nuious, and spinous; whose root, according to Galen, is of a poy∣sonous nature.

This Plant is called Mezereon by the Arabians, because it is vene∣nate; for Mezereon is as much as viduifical, or widow-making Plant, otherwise called the Lion of the earth, whose stalk is elevated about two cubits above the earth; its leaves are like them of an Olive, but greater; its grain is like Myrrhe.

The Commentators upon Mesue are altogether ignorant which is this Plant; but it seems to be some kinde of Chamelaea, especially that which bearing three grains coherent, is called Tricoccos.

And as in many kinds of Plants, some are familiar to us, and na∣tural, others pernicious; so in the society of Chamelaeas, one is effe∣rous, participating of some malign quality, which we call Mezereon, or Almezerion; another better, and less formidable, which may be safely exhibited in Medicine.

And it is called Chamelaea, or Spurge-Olive, for it is much like an Olive; a shrubby surculous Herb, with slender boughs about a cubit long, with leaves like an Olive tree, but lesser, bitter, sharp, and mordacious, affecting and ulcerating the tongue. Its fruit is small, round, in the beginning green, afterwards red. The whole Plant is acrimonious, and of an adustive faculty; * 1.107 it leaves (saith Dioscorides) detract flegm and bile, especially when assumed in Pills, for so are they most successfully usurped.

CHAP. XIX. Of Thymelaea, or Spurge-flax.

THymelaea, which some without reason call Cneorum, or Cne∣strum, is a shrub whereon Coccum Gnidium grows, emitting specious slender boughs of two cubits length, with leaves like Chamelaea, but more narrow, and very glutinous and fat, with white, and sometimes red, small, frequent flowers on the summities of its rods, whose consequents are certain small grains, they call Pepper of the Mount; which at first are green, then O∣range colour, round like berries, whose husks are black without, white within.

The whole Plant, * 1.108 especially its leaves and fruits, are acrimonious, calefactive, and adustive, wherefore they should be prepared with vinegar; its leaves should be gathered in the dog-dayes, dryed in a shade, and preserved; its leaves and fruits purge flegm, watry and serous humours.

CHAP. XX. Of Laurel.

THere grows in many woods a wild Plant spontaneously, that hath more cognation with the three former in facul∣ty than in form, which is also nourished in many Gardour, and hath from the pulchritude of its leaves got the name Eupetalon, from their similitude with Bay, Laurel, and Chamedaph••••.

It grows in groves, incultivated, mountainous and rough places, as also in many opake and umbrous places in France.

Its root emits many crass, obsequious branches, circumvested with a crass bark, with long, broad, carnous, smooth, splendent, sad green leaves, like Bay-leaves, but lesser and softer, and many long, cave, and candid flowers about the tops of the branches; its fruits, or black berries, pregnant with stones, grows immediately to the root of the leaves.

Laurel depurges flegm, * 1.109 and serous humours, conduces to the head∣ach, dropsy, and such affections as proceed from these humours. But it must not be rashly exhibited, but as it is duely prepared and prescribed by a perite Physician, for it hath an efferous quality, whereby it offends the bowels and intrals.

CHAP. XXI. Of Ricinus, or Palma Christi.

RIcinus is so called, * 1.110 from the similitude of its seed to a little filthy Animal most offensive to Cattle▪ It is also called Cici, Croton, Lupa, Myrasola, Kerva, Palma Christi, and in Arabick, Albemesuch.

This Herb in form and figure represents a tree; for its leaves e∣mulate Fig leaves, its caul and boughs are concave like reeds, its flowers mossy and pallid, its fruits are triangular, coherent in clusters, and maculous, whose exteriour core is sharp, and spinous, but within they are full of a candid fat pith, or sap, out of which the torcular will express Oil not onely for Lucerns, but other uses; for Diosco∣rides asserts, that it will purge the belly, and kill worms. It is also good to cure the scab, ulcers in the head, and suffocation in the uterus.

It is certain that Ricinus is calefactive and siccative in the second degree, and that it will purge the belly; twenty grains hereof, or a little more or less, according to the strength and age of the Assu∣mer, cleansed, brayed, and drunk, will deject bile and water by stool.

CHAP. XXII. Of Sea-Colewort, or Soldanella.

SOldanella comprehends two different Plants under it; * 1.111 the one is very like the vulgar in form, but its leaves are perdifolious; it germinates every year, and produces new leaves; it is called Brassica multiflora, & Monospermos.

The other is very dissimilar, and thought to be of the family of Wood-binds, from its effigies; its seed is mucagineous, black, hard, and angulous; its faculty is hydragogous, and it much conduces to the hydroptical assument. And though it be an enemy to the sto∣mack, yet duely administred, and mixed with other Medicaments, it roborates the intrals, educes watry humours without violence, and is a good ingredient for that eximious Hydragogal Medicament we have heretofore described.

Our Land is nobilitated with many more purgative Simples, as the Aller tree, Rhamnus, which we call Buck-thorn, which I will not here congest, because they are either seldome used, or that they do not in∣grede our compositions.

SECTION III. Of Exotical Calefactives.

The Preface.

THE all-seeing providence of God hath thought good to bless the remotest part of the East (India) with better Medicaments than Physicians; Plants of such rare worth, and admirable virtue, that Me∣dicks of a more polish life and conversation, of greater learning and experience than those rude Barbarians, have, to their perpetual re∣nown, demonstrated their virtues and operations, and by long use and observation, have found them fortunately successfull in many desperate distempers.

What shall we say? do we not daily receive multifarious and innu∣merable Plants from divers parts of the East and West? Sweet-swelling-Aromaticks, heart-reviving-Cardiacks, and body-warming-Calefactives, to which our Microcosm is perpetually obliged; of which we are about now to treat. And we intend to fix our discourse, first, upon those that are calefactive in the highest degree; afterwards, handle such as are less; and lastly, speak to those that have a middle quality, or moderation between both.

CHAP. I. Of Ginger.

GINGER is a Plant so called, * 1.112 which we borrow of the Barbarians, like our water Flower-de-luce, but its leaves are blacker; its root extends it self with internodian genicles, which emits arundina∣ceous leaves, * 1.113 twice or thrice repeated each year. It grows in many parts of India, whether sown or planted. That we count best that comes from Ma∣lavar, where it is most frequent and diligently cultivated; else it is not good.

When it is effoded, they leave an internodium thereof in the hole for the perennity of the Plant; for the piece occluded will germi∣nate the next year, producing new roots and leaves. This root, while tender, cut into small pieces, will eat pleasantly with vinegar, oil, and salt: but it comes not to us till it be dry, or condited, for it is too efferous for our soyl. We shall hereafter declare what diffe∣rence there is among Ginger, Zerumbet, and Zedoaria.

Ginger calefies in the third degree, it helps concoction, and robo∣rates the weak ventricle: but its use is now more rare than it hath been formerly; for it is scarce admixed to any Condiments, onely used in the castigation of some Medicaments.

CHAP. II. Of Zerumbet.

ZErumbet, or Zumbert, Zedoaria and Ginger are peregrine Plants of near cognation, but not all known to all men. For the Arabian Serapio (c. 172. l. de simpl.) from the as∣sertion of Isaac, saith, that Zerumbet and Zedoaria are one. Afterwards he asserts, that Zerumbet are round roots, like Aristolo∣chy, of the colour and sapour of Ginger. And in another place (c. 271. ejusd. libri) he writes, that it is a great tree in the Mountains of the East-Indies.

Avicenna (l. 2. tract. 2. c. 247.) saith, that Zerumbet is a wood like Cypress. Some think it is Arnabo, * 1.114 whereof Paulus Aeginus makes mention (c. 3. l. 6.) but they mistake; for it is the opinion of many, that Arnabo is a tall tree, that is suaveolent; or as others think, that Arnabo is the name of a Plant that is now known by some other name.

But Zerumbet is a graminaceous Plant; either sative, * 1.115 that grows in the Province of Malavar; or spontaneous, which grows in some woody places of that Countrey, and is there called wild Ginger: Garcias. Because its form and root hath much affinity with Ginger. But all in Zerumbet are larger, for its leaves are longer and broader, its roots more crass, which after their effossion are cut and dryed, and so conveyed to Arabia, afterwards into Europe.

Round Zedoaria may justly be substituted in stead of Zerumbet; for it is probable that both Plants are of the same name, nature, and genus, and differ no more than long and round Cyperus.

Zerumbet is much commended against Poysons; * 1.116 it exhilarates the heart, roborates and conserves the intrals.

CHAP. III. Of Zedoaria, or Set-wall.

BY the names Zador, * 1.117 Zeduar, Geiduar, and Zadura, we are to understand the vulgar Zedoaria, which Mesue saith is a round root, resembling Ginger, but more odorate, and withall bit∣ter, and not so sharp and hot as Ginger.

It is brought from the Countrey of Sina, and the extreams of In∣dia; it is related to Zerumbet, but more vulgar and notorious; but neither Plant have been seen whole by any almost in Europe.

Avicenna saith, Zedoaria is like Cyperus, others say it is like Co∣stus, of which hereafter: but all Aromatical Simples are more simi∣lar in virtue and power, than in form and effigies.

Zedoaria is hot and dry in the second degree; * 1.118 it discusses flatuosity, cures the bitings of poysonous Animals, helps the colical dolour, kills maw-worms, and is a good ingredient in Acti∣dotes.

CHAP. IV. Of Galangal.

THere are two sorts of Galangal, the greater and the lesser, both growing in the same soyl: but the lesser, which is more odoriferous, fruticates more plenteously in the Re∣gion of Sina, * 1.119 the greater in Javar and Malabar; and it is two cubits high, and higher, if sown in fat ground.

Its leaves are almost two cubits long, more green above than be∣low; its caul is circumvested with the convolution of the leaves; its flower is white and inodorate, its seed small, its root about the head crass, bulbous, and nodous, like that of reeds; in other parts it is very like Ginger, and it is propagated in like manner, to wit, by root, and not by seed, though it thrives very well that is sown; it seems to be very like * 1.120 Flower-de-luce in root, leaves, and form.

The lesser Galangal is about two hands high, * 1.121 with leaves like Myrtle, its root nodous, for the most part spontaneous. Some sim∣ply confound it with sweet Cane and Acorus. The Chyneans and Malabareans use it oftner in Condiments than Medicaments.

It is hot and dry in the third degree; it roborates the ventricle,

cures the colical dolour, discusses flatuosity, and helps all frigid di∣stempers. The lesser must be taken for the better.

CHAP. V. Of Acorus, or Water-flag.

ACorus is an odorate Plant, geniculated like our Orris, but its leaves are longer and narrower, its caul more tenuious and longer, and its roots also more slender, which ob∣liquely prostrate themselves along the superficies of the earth; which are whitish within and without, and of an acroamare sapour.

They erre shamefully who say, that Acorus, * 1.122 both the sorts of Ga∣langal and Ginger, differ not at all. And they are not excusable, who usurp * 1.123 sweet Cane and Acorus indistinctly; for they differ very much, as appears by their several descriptions. Moreover, Eu∣rope brings forth Acorus onely, seldome or never any sweet Cane; India produces sweet Cane, never Acorus.

Acorus, according to Galen, is hot and dry in the third degree.

CHAP. VI. Of Calamus Aromaticus, or, the Aromatical Reed.

CAlamus Aromaticus is an Indian arundinaceous Plant, whose caul is hollow like a quil, easily frangible into splinters.

It differs much from Acorus, and is not enumerated amongst the Roots, but ligneous Plants, which are concave, and geniculated. It is white within, like a reed, flave without; its odour is most fragrant, its sapour acrimoniously bitter; and it is glutinous in chewing.

It is brought from India onely; instead of whose root, another aromatical one is sold in many Shops, * 1.124 which Hippocrates calls My∣repsicum, that is, unguentary, from its suavity. Some call it Baby∣lonian Cyperus, which by the more perite Herbalists is named Shop-Cane; which Johannes Robinus, the Kings Herbalist, hath by his industry and labour transplanted in the Physicians Garden at Paris. But this is not the Antients Calamus Aromaticus, for this is hotter and more acrimonious, having more strict and junceous leaves, which are triangular; the vulgar Calamus hath broader leaves. But

since they are similar both in form and faculty, our vulgar Calamu•• may be rightly substituted for the rare and exotical.

It is hot and dry in the second degree; * 1.125 it astringes gently, hath a little acrimony; by the tenuity of its parts, opens the passages, moves flowers, recreates the spirits, and helps the native colour.

CHAP. VII. Of Costus.

COstus is a peregrine Plant celebrated by the Antients, but not accurately noted and described; so that its true dignotion is not apparent to the recent. All indeed say it is a root, but none yet indubitably asserted of what plant, or whether of one or more.

Yet if we believe the Antients, * 1.126 (as of necessity we must in such things whereof they have had perfect knowledge, and which they have often used and approved) there are three sorts of Costus, the Arabian, Indian, and Syrian.

The Arabian is white, * 1.127 light, and suaveolent above the rest; while it is fresh and new, it is abundantly full and dense, not carious.

The Indian is indeed light, but black and amare; the Syrian is flave, tuberous, to the gust acrimonious, to the olfact fragrant. The Arabians constitute onely two sorts thereof, the amare, and the sweet. And Clusius thinks there is but one kinde of Costus, and that it is onely called sweet, in reference to the more amare and acrimonious. Such a difference as this in sapour, we daily experience in Plants, which while fresh and new, are more sweet and suave; when invete∣rate, croded with worms, and corrupted, more amare, acrimonious, and insuave.

The Costus now in use amongst Physicians, * 1.128 is a root almost like Ginger, within white, smooth, light, without palely flave, somewhat amare, very fragrant, and often so suaveolent while new, that it im∣portunately affects the head. It grows in many places in India, as in Guzarat, and about Amadabar, the most famous City of that Coun∣trey. The Greeks and Latins retain the Arabian nomenclature, all calling it Cost, or Gostus.

In Pharmacopolies some usurp a root of a certain vulgar aroma∣tical Plant instead of Costus, * 1.129 which seems to be desumed from the sorts of Seseleon; it hath some affinity with that which Matthiolus calls Ethiopicum, in root, leaves, caul, magnitude, form, and facul∣ties, which by some is called Pseudo-costus; by others, Belgian Costus; and by others, Shop-Costus. If any one fear to substitute this for the true Costus, * 1.130 let him take Angelica root in its stead.

Costus being subamare, is somewhat astrictive; being acrimoni∣ous,

is exceedingly calefactive; and being suaveolent, is refective and exhilarative.

CHAP. VIII. Of both Beens.

BEn, or Been, (Rhas. par. 135. de nomin. Arab.) is an Arabick word, denoting a certain tree growing in Ethiopia, like our Tamarisk, whose fruit is called Abelban, out of which ema∣nates an Oil they call Muscelline, which name they also give to the Plant it self, as Rhasis hath it; but neither he nor Avicenna do fur∣ther dilucidate the Plant; onely Avicenna saith, * 1.131 it is a ligneous lump or root, which by exsiccation hath contracted wrinkles and li∣neations; whereof there are two sorts, the one white, the other red, both hot and dry in the second degree. Elsewhere he saith, that both the Beens are dry in the first degree, and the red hotter than the white: but we see the contrary in those two roots we celebrate in the Shops for Been, for the white is sensibly calid, the red more lan∣guid and ignave.

Serapio is no whit clearer in describing both the Plants. * 1.132 There be (saith he) two sorts of Ben, both about the magnitude of the root of the lesser Pastinaca, and tortuous, they are brought from Arme∣nia, their odour is good, and both are viscid, calid, and humid.

Since then the Antients agree onely about the name of this their indigenous Plant; no wonder if our Writers be silent, or else enun∣ciate few and most probable of its properties. There is no Pharma∣copolist but he knows the white and red roots that are celebrated for Beens: but that dignotion is onely superficial, and none yet have learned their true effigies.

The Arabians say, that Ben corroborates, impinguates the body, * 1.133 augments seed, conduces to the palsey, and performs many more commodities, which we finde not in our white root; and therefore Sylvius substitutes in its stead the root of Eringium. I preferr ours, * 1.134 or the Spanish Angelica before it, as more cordial.

Some think that Polemony is white Ben, and Bistort red; but that conjecture is not worth the improbation.

CHAP. IX. Of Scecachul.

SCecachul I finde diversly called by the Arabians, as Lochachi∣um, Lichimum, and Alithimum, whose seed, or rather grain, they call Culcul; its leaf is like Albena, or Julben; which words Serapio confounds, and uses them both for Scecachul; which is a Plant, by their description, short stalked, of a veinous and nodous root, out of each of whose genicles emerge leaves like them of Balsam.

It emits violaceous flowers, at the beginning of the Spring, out of its summity, to which black grains of the magnitude of Pepple follow, full of sweet humidity, which the Barbarians call Gal••••••; but Rhasis saith, Kilkil is more consonant to their idiom, who (l. 23.) reconseates their qualities, and saith, they are hot and moyst in the second degree; Serapio saith, onely in the first degree. Both con∣tend, that they very much excite venery, for it increases sperm, erects the uterus, and incites to copulation. Scecachul grows in umbrous places, and about tree roots.

But neither the roots nor grains of Scecachul ever came at us; which seeing it is an exotical Plant wholly unknown to late Search∣ers, it ought to be expunged out of Receipts; for it is absurd to bor∣row a name from the Barbarians, since both we and they perhaps want the Herb; for why else have they not described it more acco∣rately, or sent it to us, or at least sold it in their Empories, or shewn it amongst other of their rare Simples.

Since it serves for to excite venery, * 1.135 as oft as the said Plant is re∣quired, either Satyrium may be prescribed, or the Prescript aug∣mented, or Pistacia, or Pine-apples, or Ornithoglossum, or some such Plant of the venercous rank, may be substituted.

CHAP. X. Of Cinnamon.

WHat Cinnamon is, we can scarce learn from the Antients, who have conjectured much about it; nor yet from the more recent, save such as have peragrated its native soyl, as Garcias,

who himself saw it in many parts of the East-Indies, as in Zeilan, from whence the best is brought.

The multiplicity of its denominations have much obscured its di∣gnotion; for in Malago it is called Cais manis, that is, Sweet-wood; in Ormus, Drachint, by which word the Persians and Arabians also denominate it. We call it sometimes Cassia, and Casia, some∣times small Cane, and sometimes Cinnamon, that is, China's Amome.

But if we credit Garcias, who was an oculate faithfull Narrator, * 1.136 Cassia, Cinnamon, and small Cane, is one and the same Medica∣ment. Neither are there more sorts of Cinnamon than two, one growing in Zeilan, the other in Malabar and Jaca. There are indeed sive degrees of bonity in these two kinds.

The more crass small Cane is Xylocassia, or ligneous Cassia, * 1.137 which the Arabians, Persians and Indians call Salthaca. That which is more odorate, fragrant, and tenuious, is the true Cinnamon, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••odorate tree portends; and it is desumed from the same shrub that small Cane comes of. But Cinnamon is decerped from the trunk whose bark is most crass, the small Cane from its boughs. Which Theophrastus seems to aim at, when he discerps it into many parts, asserting that the Cinnamon next the root is worst, and least ••dorate; the supream best, and most odorate; that in the middle, of a middle bonity.

Matthiolus cannot resent this opinion of Theophrastus, and others, who assert, that Cassia and Cinnamon do not differ; he confesses, that Cassia and small Cane differ not, but that Cinnamon differs from both, and cannot be found; and if it could be found, that its wood as well as its bark would be of use to Medicks.

But notwithstanding his authority, we have very good Cinna∣mon; and it differs not from small Cane, or sweet Cassia, save in some degrees of bonity; and thus must the varieties enumerated by Dioscorides be accepted. And, they speak very probably and ratio∣nally, who assert that Xylocassia, or small Cane, is the most crass and extrmsecal cortex, Cinnamon the more interiour, tenuious, odorate, better, and more commodious for use.

In Galen's time Cinnamon was so rare, that onely Emperours pos∣sessed it, who kept it among their Treasures; but its excellency hath now caused it to be brought plenteously to us from peregrine Regions.

Cinnamon-tree is wild and spontaneous, about the magnitude of an Olive-tree, with many and strait boughs, leaves of Orange-colour, in the form of Bay-leaves, white flowers, black and round fruit, a∣bout the bigness of little Olives.

Its eximious virtue is in its bark, which calefies, concocts, * 1.138 acce∣lerates flowers and birth, and exceedingly recreates the heart.

There is another sort of Cinnamon tree, very much like this in form, whose odour, sapour and virtue consists not in the bark, as in the East-Indian tree, but in the fruit onely, as Clusiue relates out of Nicolaus Monardus (e. 25. l. simpl.)

CHAP. XI. Of Nutmeg, Mace, and Macir.

INdia affords us a certain aromatical Nut, which from its suaveo∣lence is called Moschocaryon, Moschocarydion, Caryon ar••m••••∣cum, N••x myristica, and N••tmeg. It is excerped from a per••∣grine tree, about the magnitude of a Pear tree, with leaves like Persica, but shorter, red flower, and peramene odour.

This tree was unknown to the Antients, especially to the Greek•••• It grows in the Island Banda, where it is called Palla, Mace, and B••••••∣palla.

The fruit of this tree is for its suaveolence called Nux moschata, yet it smells not of Mosch; and it is circumvested with two shells, the one, to wit, the exteriour, is most crass, which gapes when it is mature, as we see Wallnuts covers; the other is next the N••••, which is more tenuious, which being of a red colour, shews most e••∣cellently through the chinks of the exteriour bark.

And that same tenuious involument is Mace, which dehisces also when the Nut is exsiccated, and acquires a golden colour instead of its red. Mace then is a thin membrane of a flave colour, which co∣vers and complects the Nutmeg.

Now Mace and Macir differ; for Mace is the hull of a Nut, and Macir the crass flave, or as Pliny saith, red bark of a certain wood brought from Barbary, bitter to the gust, and astrictive; of which tree we can learn no certain knowledge neither from the antient nor late Writers; and hence we gather, that Macir is not well known.

A fresh, heavy, and fat Nutmeg, which at the prick of a needle ••mits an olcous juice, is best, and most approved.

Both its and Maces faculty are commended for roborating the ventricle, * 1.139 and helping concoction.

CHAP. XII. Of Peppers.

MAny dissimilar Plants are denominated Peppers, as white, * 1.140 black, and long Pepper, Calecutian also, or Pepper of India, and watry Pepper, or Persian; yea some have called Vitex, or Agnus casta, and Ribes, wild black Pepper. But when Pepper is put absolutely, Garcias admonishes Apothecaries to select the white as best; for want of which, ours de∣some black.

The Plant that bears white Pepper differs so little from that which bears black, that they are the very same to sense; both are s••••••••ive, and so imbecil and caduce, that unless they be und••r∣propped, their lent and flexile branches will delabe to the earth, like ••••ep-trees, or Wood bind. And they are either upholden by some su••iciment, or sown at the root of some tree, to whose top they ascend by convolution. Their leaves are rare, their roots small, their fruits small, round, and racemously coherent.

All Pepper is calefactive, * 1.141 but the white is more potent and o••o∣ra•• than the black; but as the Plant is rare, so is its fruit. There is Pepper with a caul, of which in its place.

The Plant that bears long Pepper is no congruent to the former in effigies than in faculties, according to Clusius, * 1.142 though Garcias makes them very dissident Plants, for their leaves are equal in magni∣tude, both hederaceous, but withall nervous, annexed to a short pe∣dicle. The fruit of this Plant very much resembles those grains that grow on Hazle-trees; they issue out of every space betwixt knots opposite against the pedicles of the leaves, as in other Pepper trees. These fruits consist of many grains, elegantly composed according to the longitude of their pedicle. They are green, because they are collected before their maturity, and sometimes longer, sometimes shorter, as it happens in other fruits not yet come to their perfect growth.

Macro-Pepper, according to Dioscorides, (c. 189. l. 2.) * 1.143 is very mordaceous; and because it is decerped before its maturity, it is somewhat amare; it is a good ingredient for Antidotes, and theria∣cal Medicaments.

CHAP. XIII. Of Cloves.

CLoves are the grai••s or fruits of a certain exotical tree of the name, which grows in the Islands of Molucca, in form and magnitude like a Bay-tree, with leaves like a Peach-tree, or rather Willow, but more angust, with many branches and flowers, which at first are white, then green, afterwards red; and when they are hardned with the heat of the Sun, black; which represent a ru∣diment, or imperfect fruit exsiccated, and exasperated with four points.

This fruit, while green, superates all others in suavity; it empts ou•• of the extremity of the branches like a nail, whence the vulgari∣ty call it a Cyroflcous nail; for it better resembles a nail than a out, as its name depotes, for Garyophillum is a Nut-leaf.

It is h••t and dry above the second degree, * 1.144 and is very usefull both in Condiments and Medicaments.

It benefits the heart and brain, helps the liver and stomack, e∣mends the fetour of the mouth, and gratifies the breath; it helps concoction, rids the eyes of dimness, and quickens sight, incites to venery, and takes away obstructions.

CHAP. XIV. Of Cardamomes.

CArdame, Cordumeni, and Cardamome, are Plants that differ but little in name, but much in nature; for Cardame is a kinde of Cresses, with seed and leaf most calid, and almost adustive, * 1.145 like Mustard. Cordumoni is not Cardamome, as Sylvi•••• thought, but Roman Carraway.

Cardam••me is a peregrine Plant, * 1.146 if not in form, yet in faculty challenging cognation with Amome, as its name denotes. It grows in India; * 1.147 whereof there are two sorts, to wit, the greater, which the A∣rabians call Cacolaa quebir, and Calcula quebir; and the lesser, which they call Hayl, or Kakelahil. Both grow on a caul of a cubits height, and not on tall trees, as some conjecture.

It is a seguminous Plant, * 1.148 which when it is grown to its height,

puts forth cods, and every husk brings forth grains, which the Bar∣barians call Cacolaa; some Grana Paradis••. Other grains, falsly cal∣led by this name, are circumvected by Circulators, as Malegets, so called from Melegueta, the Province where they grow.

Cardamome, though peregrine, is now most notorious and vulgar, and also most frequently used in Medicine; but the lesser, as it is more odorate, so is it better, and the greater worse.

Each Cardamome calefies, recreates the principal parts, * 1.149 roborates the native heat, discusses flatuosity, and helps concoction.

CHAP. XV. Of Cubebs.

THE Antients seem to attribute so much to the Arabians, * 1.150 that whatever they pronounced, they observed as a Law. Yet Barbarism in speech doth not so much move me, as their dissidy in the very thing; which is such, that they cannot consent about the Plants growing in their own Gardens. Whence it is no wonder if they dissent about such as grow sponta∣neously in the Countrey, as in the description of Cubebs, * 1.151 which Avi∣cenna calls Carpesium; Serapio, wild Myrtle. And the Indians say it's neither, but another far different Plant which produces Cubobs, which some of them call Cubab Sini; others, Cumuc; others, Qua∣beb and Cubebe.

The Plant however is wild and spontaneous, whose imbecil branches adhere like Smilax, or Pepper-tree; its leaves are like Mirtle leaves, its fruits racemously congested, every grain cohering by a longer pedicle.

This fruit is so much estimated in Jaoa, and other Regions where it grows, that the Inhabitants alwayes boyl it before they sell it to Merchants; for they fear lest it should be sown, radicate, and grow in another soyl.

They erre shamefully that constitute Cubebs to be Vine-seeds, or the fruits of Butchers-broom, seeing there is no cognation among these Plants. Actuarius is more tolerable, who consenting with Avicenna, saith, that Cubebs are one with Carpesium, for both are aromatical and calefactive; but their effigies differs, * 1.152 for the stalks of Carpesium, according to Galen, are very slender, its branches like them of Cinnamon, to which in faculty and odour it responds; onely Carpesium is more valid and aromatical, insomuch that the gust perceives it; and being tenuious, it liberates the bowels of ob∣structions, moves urine, expells the stone; yet is it not so tenuious as Cinnamon.

Cubebs are very rare; * 1.153 they calefy and roborate the ventricle, free the liver from obstructions, discuss flatuosity, emend the frigid distemperature of the uterus, and excite the drowsy faculties to venery.

CHAP. XVI. De Carpobalsamo; And of the fruit, and other part of Balm-tree.

BAlm is a peregrine shrub, growing formerly in Judaea, Egypt, and the valley of Syria, and most in Jericho; not very fair to look on, of a cineritious colour; it hath slender boughs, leaves like sweet Marjoran, which annually decide in December, and repullulate in the middle of the Spring. Its flowers are like the small luteous Jasmine, to which a small, aromatical, succulent, flave, mordaceous and acrimonious seed follows, which smells like * 1.154 Balm∣gum, and is called Carpobalsame.

This Plant is full of branches even to the root, whose surcles are very slender, fulve, odorate, asperated with many knots, and smells like Balm-oil.

When they are well grown, they abscind these branches, and sell them to Merchants, who carry them into forreign Countryes for lucre sake, for they are very expetible and vendible in any place; be∣cause of their eximious faculties, Medicks call them Xylobalsamum.

Sometimes they abscind its very caul, * 1.155 whereunto they append a little bottle oblited with wax, whereinto an oleous liquor of a most fragrant odour doth distill. But they more frequently vulnerate its crasser boughs and cauls with a vitreous, or an Ivory knife, at the be∣ginning of Autumn; out of which scarification emanes a crass juice like Oil, which they call Balsamelaeon, and Opobalsamum.

Amongst all Oils and Balsams, this is most approved and com∣mended, whose faculties are inferiour to no Medicament in abiga∣ting diseases, whether it be intrinsecally assumed, or extrinsecally ad∣hibited, or mixed with other Medicaments.

The Syrian, tenuious and perspicuous, is best, which will delabe and settle in a vessel full of water, which indeed is common to all legitimate Balms, * 1.156 but chiefly to that that is desumed out of the fa∣mous Garden of the Turkish Emperour, where a small tree is culti∣vated and kept with great sedulity, three parts whereof are excerped for the expugnation of many diseases, to wit, its wood, liquor, and seed, called in the proper idiome of the Medicks, Xylobalsame, Opobalsame, and Carpobalsame; which being very rare, and not

growing in every region, are possessed onely by Kings and Noble∣men, for the vulgar Carpobalsame is not legitimate, its faculties be∣ing ignave, almost inodorate, faint, rancid, exolet, and not suaveo∣lent. And the same may be pronounced of the wood they call Xylo∣balsame, for it is the caul of Lentisks often so corrupted; or invete∣rate, that it is insipid, inodorous, and inefficacious.

Medicks have invented three succidaneous Vicegerents for the want of these three; for Carpobalsame, Cubebs; for Xylobal∣same, new and fresh Lentisk; and for Opobalsame, the Oil of Cloves and Nutmeg, as also the limpid water of Turpentine tree, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as Oil; for Turpentine is the very Mother of artificial Balms, the parts of whose Plants respond well to the parts of natural Balm.

There are now two other sorts of Balm circumvected; * 1.157 the one called Peruvian Balm, which is educed out of a certain fruit grow∣ing in Peru, whereof Clusius makes mention. * 1.158 Another they call Balm of Tolu, from a certain region of India, which distills out of a sauciated tree, like little Pines; both of them are endued with exi∣mious faculties, and may be very well substituted instead of Sy∣••••ack.

CHAP. XVII. Of Kermes.

MAny Plants will onely grow in the Meridional, others in the Septentrional, and some in both regions; as that same grain which the Mauritanians call Kermes; which very denomination, according to Dioscorides, demon∣strates the Plant to be exotical, and to grow in Asia, Armenia, or Arabia; for in two usurpations it reserves its Arabian nomencla∣ture, to wit, in the confection of Alkermes, and in dying cloaths of a Bermesian colour.

Now Kermes, or Karmas, is the name of a suffruticeous Plant, * 1.159 and its grain, which is vulgarly called Scarlet dye, or infector•• grain.

It grows both in the aforesaid places, and in Orleans in France, and many places in Italy which are hot, and tend towards the Medi∣tenancan Sea; and it is reposed amongst the aculeous Ilices; for their variety is manifold; whereof some are glandiserous, which grow into tall trees; others coccigerous, which are lower; some bacciferous, which are of a middle consistency, as * 1.160 Aquifoyl, which is frequent and vivacious in the Septentrional soyl. Yet some exclude this Plant from the number of Ilices, although the two for∣•••••• have not so much affinity each with other, as the later with this.

The Plant then whereon Kermes grows, is a certain small Ille••, putting forth many cauls, which are harder towards the root, ob∣tenebrated with leaves continually green, long, ••••gged about, de••se, sinuous, angulous, spinous, aculeated, and horrid, which at the be∣ginning of the Spring conceives as it were a little egge towards i•• root, which it obvallates with pricks supernally devolved, which in its growth changes its colour from white to cineritious, then to pur∣ple, and at last acquires a most elegant colour: for the whole grain is fu•••• of sanguineous liquor, which after perfect maturity, and too long coaction in its membrane, produces worms, whereof some are winged, * 1.161 and fly away: yet before the procreating of them, the li∣quor may be studiously extracted, to the confection of Alkermet, and scarlet tincture.

The generation of these little Animals, or may be hindred, or their death procured, by the aspersion of a little vinegar, whereby their exanimated carcasses are collected, and coacted into a mass, like Vermilion, which they call * 1.162 Scaletium; and Pli••••y, Cusculium, for the tincture of purple, or skarlet colour.

This grain is not the fruit, but excrement of this Illex; or a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and lucid gum contained in a husk, which grows about the root of the leaves. This Illex is not onely coccigerous, but glandiferous also; for the more inveterate surcles bring forth Acorns somewhat longer and blacker than those of the Oaks, but then it ceases to pro∣duce grains, * 1.163 or * Coccum. And therefore these surcles are prescin∣ded, that a new spring of surcles may follow, and be coccife∣rous.

Kermes exceedingly roborates the heart, * 1.164 and all its faculties; it also astringes precided nerves and wounds by its glutinous sacult•••• when extrinsecally adhibited.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Schoenanthum, or Squinant.

S'Choenanthum is an odorate bullrush growing in India, from whence it is brought to us in bundles, being incicurable by all Art.

It is a junceous and gramineous Plant, whose small, dry, hard and nodous root emits hard, straggling, round, full, not con∣ca••e, and clear reeds, gracile towards the top; whose rigid, mucro∣nated, and pale leaves of half a palms length, amplect its gramine∣ous surcles.

Two sorts of flowers, palely red, and pappous, adorn its su••••i∣ty; some call is, the reed of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, others, Camels food, because Ap••ricane Camels feed on its summities. I••s flowers are seldome

brought to us with it, though it be denominated from them.

Schoenanthum is moderately calefactive and astrictive; * 1.165 and be∣cause its parts are tenuious, it moderately digests and repells; the root is more astrictive than the other parts of the Plant; the flower is hotter, which potently moves urine and flowers.

CHAP. XIX. Of Folium, or Malabather; the Indian leaf so called.

A Certain eximious Leaf is brought to us from India, which the Arabians call (Cadegi Indi) that is, Indian Leaf, which the Inhabitants call Tamalapatra, and the Apothecaries, with reference to its native soyl, Malabathre. It is a leaf like the leaf of the Medicks Apple-tree, of a palid green colour, with three strokes percurring its longitude; it is odorate, smelling like Cloves.

It doth not swim upon water, nor grow in the Indian fens, nor yet without root, as Dioscorides thought; but it is desumed from a tall tree, far from waters, fru••icating in dry places.

Malabathrum is hot in the second degree, odorate, moves urine, * 1.166 emends ones breath, keeps cloaths from moths, and in other quali∣ties concords with Spicknard; which may be well substituted, * 1.167 when it cannot be had.

CHAP. XX. Of Spicknard.

DIoscorides (c. 6. l. 1.) * 1.168 makes mention of two sorts of Spick∣nard, one Indian, the other Syrian, both growing in one Mountain, but the one on that side that looks towards In∣dia, the other on that that looks towards Syria. He after∣wards adjoyns the Celtian, that grows on the mountains of Liguria, which is called Saliunca, from its native Countrey name; and the mountainous, which grows in Cilicia, and Syria, sometimes called ••bylacitis, and Niris.

Lobelius makes two sorts of Celtian Spicknard, or Celtick-Nard; * 1.169 the one with leaves like skrewed Gentian, and a root like the greater Valerian; the other called hirculus, whereof Clusius records, that he gathered Fascicles among the Celtian Spicknard.

Besides the peregrine Spicknard, and its related species, we have some Plants celebrated with this denomination, * 1.170 as the greater Le∣vendula, which in the French idiome is called Aspic, and by some, Pseudo-Spicknard; out of which a kinde of Oil is extracted by Chymistry, commonly called Oil of Aspic; as also another great Lavendula, to wit, the Cerulean or Italian; and also another lesser Lavendula, of the same colour, odour, and effigies. Stoechas that is spicated, may also be referred to this rank.

But when Spicknard is written without further addition, it is al∣wayes meant of the Indian, out of whose exile root grows certain spicated hairs, and thick glomorations, discriminated by wreaths and tufts, out of whose middle issue junceous leaves.

Spicknard calefies in the first degree, * 1.171 and desiccates in the second; it helps the liver and the ventricle, moves urine, cures the pains of the stomack, and exsiccates the humidity of the mesentery. Indian or black Spicknard is most fanative to bodily affections.

CHAP. XXI. Of Agalloche, or Aloes wood.

ALoes tree is by the Greeks called Xylal••e, * 1.172 and Agallochum, it is like an Olive tree, sometimes greater, and not circum∣vested with a skin, as Dioscorides writes, but with a crass bark. Its wood is odorate and blackish, maculated with some cineritious strokes and spots; it is ponderous, crass, compact, and succulent; which adhibited to the fire, or accended, (it will not flame) exudes much liquor.

Its odour is not perceptibly dispersed through the universal matter of the wood, but it is more fragrant in the very middle, and the dry is more suaveolent than the green.

The tree is very rare, * 1.173 growing onely in India, and in such Regi∣ons and Promontories where Tigers and wild ravenous Beasts make their abode; whence it is, that neither a great tree can be cut down, nor young shrub evelled, without great danger and peril. Hence the Antients foolishly credited, that it grew in Paradise.

Serapi•• mentions more sorts thereof than he either saw or knew; perhaps more odorate woods may be referred to Agalloche. So the odorate tree growing in the Promontory of Comorin, is by some called Aloes tree, when by Garcias it is a different Plant.

Agalloche, * 1.174 or Aloes wood, called by Avicenna, Agalugen, is hot and dry in the second degree, and is very good against the affections of the heart.

CHAP. XXII. Of Santals, or Sanders.

THE wood of a certain tall peregrine tree, like a Wallnut tree, is brought to us, which in the Island Tymor, where it grows, they call Chandama; in Arabia, Sandal; in Eu∣rope, Santal: whereof there are three sorts, the white, pale, which are frequent in Tymor; and red, which grows in the Island Tanasarim, as Garcias ab horto, tells us, who saith there is so much affinity betwixt the Santal-trees, that the pale can scarce be discerned from the white, save by the Inhabitants that cut down the trees, and sell them to the Merchants; for the effigies of both is one, the leaves the same, both very green, like Lentisks leaves; their flowers are of a ceruleous black colour; their fruits about the magni∣tude of Cherries, first 〈◊〉〈◊〉, then black, which are insipid and di∣ciduous.

The pale or citrine Santal-tree fruticates best in aprike places; * 1.175 it is more odorate and better than the white, and yet the white much excells the red; the red is inodorate, very like Brafil, but not so sweet nor infective, nor yet so hard and ponderous.

The Antients attributed great virtue to Santals, * 1.176 for they exhila∣rate and roborate the heart, and vital parts, according to Avicenna; they are averse to hot and feaverish diseases, they liberate obstructi∣ons, and much recreate the liver.

CHAP. XXIII. Of Sassafras.

A Very grand tree grows in Florida, which the Indians call Pac∣came, the Spaniards, Sassafras, with a tall caul, circumvested with a cineritious and thin bark, boughs expanded at the top, leaves like Fig leaves, dirempted into three angles, roots sometimes crass, sometimes slender, according to the ag•• of the tree, expanded along the interiour caverns of the earth, which are somewhat aro∣matical, smelling like Fennel.

The tree fruticates best in maritimous and temperate places; its root is best, and especially the bark thereof, which is hot and dry in the beginning of the third degree.

Its other parts participate of both qualities onely in the second degree. Besides its elementary qualities, it is endued with peculiar

ones, for which it is very expetible and usefull: but because of its rarity, Circulators pulverate Box wood, and Fennel seed, and sell it for Sassafras; for they think they can well enough deceive the Vulgar, if for the true Sassafras, which is of a fulve colour, and Fennel odour, they can exhibite this flave Powder, smelling like Fennel.

The decoction of Sassafras, according to Clusius, is good against all kinds of diseases, especially obstructions, womens diseases, and French pox; it roborates the internal parts.

CHAP. XXIV. Of Guajacum.

SIX simple Medicaments are much commended for the cure of Morbus G••llious, to wit, Sassafras, Guajacum, Sarsaparilla, Chyna, Mercury, and Cynabar•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 assafras we have alrea∣dy treated, of the rest in order. G••ajacum is so called by the Indians, from the German word Guajacam; by the Latins, Lign••m sanctum; it is brought from the Western Islands Boriquen, C••enga, Nagrande, and Nicaragua.

It is a tall tree, in magnitude and effigies like an Illex, or Oak, ra∣mous, blackish in the middle, hard, with a crass and fat bark, small and hard leaves, luteous and purgative flowers, which the Indi•••••• condite and assume, to purge their bodies.

Their fruits that follow the flowers, are of the magnitude of Chesnuts, and like two Lupines conjoyned.

There is another sort of Guajacum which is lesser, but better, which they call Palus Christi, * 1.177 and sometimes Lignum sanctum; it is a shrub in colour, faculties, magnitude and form, much unlike the great Guajacum: for the matter of its wood is white, concolorate, and very fibrous; its sapour is sharper, odour more fragrant, and qualities more efficacious. But because it is very rare, in want there∣of we usurpe G••ajacum, which is endued with the same faculties, but more infirm.

Both of them are prevalent in curing the French disease; * 1.178 for they calefy, incide, atte••uate, open, move sudour, exarceate putretude, and by special properties extinguish venereous poyson.

CHAP. XXV. Of Sarsaparilla.

THere comes a certain long and uniform root from the We∣stern Islands, especially from Per••, and the Province Hon∣duras, which is sometimes called Sarsaparilla, sometimes Salsaparilla, and Sarzaparaglia; which Matthiglus and D••donaeus think to be the same with our Smilax: but they differ much, for Smilax root is nodous, and geniculated like grass root, and much shorter and softer. Sarsaparilla's root is without knots, asperated with no genicles, hard, fibrous, rugous, pithy, and some∣times twenty foot long, which may be easily cleft like a twig. Its other parts are like Smilax, and climbs vicine Plants, as Smilax doth.

Sarsaparilla calefies moderately, opens, projects sudour, * 1.179 and ex∣tinguishes the venereous poyson.

The Indians use its juice to cure the venereous disease, which to them is natural and endemial.

CHAP. XXVI. Of Chyna root.

I May not omit this other Antidote against the Indian disease, to wit, that excellent 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which, as also the whole Plant, hath its name from Chy•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in its native foyl retains its Coun∣tryes name, to wit, 〈…〉〈…〉. It grows in the vast region of Chyna, which terminates 〈…〉〈…〉, and Scythia, not in mountainous and dry ground 〈…〉〈…〉 conjectured, but in fens and moyst places like a reed, as 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••ore, or head of some fountain.

Its root is crass and nodous, as red•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hard also, and tuberous, like the Brambles root; and rubeous a•••• ••tortuous, like Bistorts root. Slender and imbecil cauls crupt out of its root, which are circum∣cinged with very rare leaves; which though low, require fulciments, that they may be strait.

This root is now vulgar; which the Antients either knew not, or oscitantly pretermitted; but now it is so notorions, that no Barber, or young Apprentice, but he will talk thereof. The Indians use this Medicament as pan••••••macal to all diseases, and especially to such as cannot be cured by other remedies.

It is very prevalent in curing the Indian Pox; * 1.180 it helps the Ver∣tigo, cures the pain of the stomack, helps the hydroptical, cures the coli•••••• colour, and affections of the uterus, removes obstructions, ope•••• ••he passages, moves urine, causes sudour, helps in convulsions and palsey, and eases the dolour of the articles: for Charles, the fifth Emperour of that name, found no ease from other Medica∣ments, but much from Chyna, against the Gout, which handled him very ill. Some say that it is good for such as are tabid, but I think too hot to cure the consumption, to emend a dry distemper, and re∣sarciate it.

Garcias used it against the heat of the liver so long, that his body was almost wholly inflamed. Its use is now more rare than formerly it hath been.

SECTION IV. Of Indigenous Calefactives.

The Preface.

WE have many hot Plants which will not grow in forreign Coun∣tryes, of which we intend to speak distinctly in this fourth Se∣ction. And they are such as either grow spontaneously in the Fields, or by culture in Gardens. Wherein we shall observe this method, first, touch upon those that are h••ttest, then such as are hotter; and lastly, those that are moderately hot; all which we shall run over with brevity; yet not so, but that their qualities may be distinctly known. And there∣fore we shall begin with such as have a fiery kinde of quality; as,

CHAP. I. Of Bartram, or Pellitory.

BArtram, or Pyrethrum, is so called from that igneous quality which its chewed root leaves in the gustative organ; the Vulgar call it Alexander's foot; the Latines, from the abundance of spittle it causes in the mouth, call it Herba salinaris.

It is an herb of a cubits height, or more; in its caul and leaves emulating the wild Daucus, or vulgar Carret, are multifariously divided, and sected into small capillaments, like Fen∣nel; its flower that erupts out of the summities of its surcles, is fair, broad, and patulous, like a Marigold, but larger, subluteous in its orb, and circumdated with little angust, long leaves, supernally whitish, and on the contrary fide of a purple colour, in the middle of its orb, and between the leaves issues a small, long, and odorate seed.

Its root is crass, long, and of a blackish red colour.

It grows in many places of Italy and Spain, and fruticates, flou∣rishes and perfects its seed when it is sown in Gardens in Holland: but it grows more copiously and floridly in hot and Eastern Re∣gions; and we enumerate it amongst our indigenous Plants, be∣cause we have it in Europe and the Western Countryes-pretty plen∣tifull.

There is another Plant, which by its acrimonious odour moves sternutation, which Apothecaries call wild Pyrethrum, because by its vellicative sapour it moves the gust like Bartram, and promotes spittle; which grows in mountainous and incultivated places, also in meadows and hedges.

Pyrethrum's root is hot in the fourth degree; detained in the mouth, it projects flegm copiously, and therefore it helps the tooth∣ache proceeding from a frigid cause; it helps also the diuturnal head-ache, the Apoplexy, Epilepsy, Palsey, and all affections ari∣sing from flegm congested in the head.

CHAP. II. Of Mustard.

MUstard is no Aliment, sometimes a Medicament, often a Condiment; for it is most conveniently admixed to vi∣scid and glutinous dishes, especially in winter, that their vi∣scidity may be corrected, and the ventricle thereby roborated; for it admirably helps such as have dull palats, and nauseate their meat. But because by its acrimony it importunely affects the gust, it is not onely grinded with vinegar, to mitigate its fervour, but mix∣ed with sweet wine, to obdulcorate its acrimony; and so is made a gratefull Condiment, which many for its vulgarity disesti∣mate.

Mustard is either sative or spontaneous; [ 1] the sative is of two sorts, the one hath leaves like Rape, but lesser, and more sharp, with a round, hispid, sharp stalk, of two cubits height, or more, brachiated with many boughs, about which erupt luteous flowers orderly di∣sposed, to which long, thin and sharp husks succeed, wherein a little round seed is included, of a yellow colour, and mordaceous gust.

The other sative Mustard is so like the former, [ 2] that they seem onely to dissent in colour of their seeds; which in the former is luteous, in this a blackish red; the leaves of this are somewhat more like Rocket than the other, in all other things they are the same.

The wild grows spontaneously in any dry place, and sometimes in humid places, brinks, and hedges; it is less than the former, bearing

lesser leaves, jagged, almost like Shepherds-purse, but more acute; it emits luteous quadrifolious flowers; it afterwards puts forth its seed in husks, which it varies, sometimes bearing white, sometimes red seed.

This Plant denominates a noble Medicament they call Synapis∣mum, which is celebrated to many uses, as to inveterate Head-achs, Epilepsy, Vertigo, difficulty of breathing, distillations, and the Gout.

Mustard is hot and dry in the fourth degree; it incides, attenuates, * 1.181 extracts; detained in the mouth, it moves flegm; brayed and snuffed up the nose, it causes sternutation; it excites women suffo∣cated with the histerical passion: but such as have imbecil and cali∣ginous eyes, should altogether eschew it.

CHAP. III. Of Thlaspi, or Treacle-Mustard.

MUstard and Thlaspi are rightly described in the same se∣ries; for both agree, if not in effigies, yet much in qua∣lities; so that Thlaspi is commonly called Countrey, * 1.182 or Treacle-Mustard. There are many kinds of Thlaspis, whereof three are most noted, one greater, another lesser, and an∣other mean, whereunto all the rest of that name are referred.

The first grows plentifully both in cultivated and incultivated Fields, with large, long, crisped leaves, acute towards the end; its caul is about half a foot long, emitting boughs, circumcinged with flowers, at first white, which are frequent at the beginning of Summer, not unlike Shepherds-purse, which convolving themselves into two valvuls, produce a blackish, hot, and sharp seed, in sapour like Mustard, or Nasturtium.

The second hath a ramous caul of a foot high; its leaves are lesser, angust, acuminated, and subverted; its flowers white, seed small, sharp and hot, like Nasturtium.

The third and less Thlaspi is an Herb with angust leaves, of a fin∣gers length, converting themselves downwards, and a little incided in their extremities; its flowers are whitish, caul slender and ramous, of a foot high, whereon many small, plain husks, like little Lentils on small pedicles, do depend in an excellent series; wherein a small seed, affecting the mouth and tongue with a sharp sapour like Mu∣stard, is enclosed.

It grows in incultivated, stony, mountainous, hot and dry places, as on many walls and houses; whence some Herbalists call it Tecto∣rium Nasturtium, and sometimes Countrey-Mustard. Its seed is used in Antidotes; yet he shall not much erre, that in defect thereof usurps other seeds.

Many referr many more Plants, bearing sharp and servent seed, to the Thlaspi; but feeing they dissent much in effigies, others re∣ferr them rather to Plants more affine in form: for the Thlaspi of Crateva, which seems to be a latifolious Violet, called Bolbonac, as al∣so Draba, by some called Thlaspi, have little or no affinity with the rest of that name. * 1.183

Its seed is not and dry in the fourth degree; it breaks impostumes, moves flowers, kills the young in the uterus, helps the sciatical; in∣funded at the fundament, it evacuates blood, and pollicitates many more commodities, if rightly and opportunely usurped. It is mixed with some Antidotes.

CHAP. IV. Of Rockett.

ROcket, which the Greeks call Euxomon, is sown in Gar∣dens for Condiments sake; for it is both good and use∣full in Sallets and Pottage for such whose internal cal••ur languishes, and whose lust to venery is dull; for Rotlet revokes venery, and accelerates the husband slow to congress; whence Poets call it, * 1.184 the Salacious Herb.

It rises a cubit high, with angust, long leaves, lacinated on both sides with deep, but rare incisures, with palid, and sometimes hue∣ous and quadrifolious flowers; seed like Turnep seed, and a white and dure root; it grows sometimes spomaneously among branches, and other rough and incultivated places.

There is also erratical and wild Rocket, which grows in squalid places near high wayes, and town walls, with leaves like Sow∣thistles, but more slender and small; with flowers of a luteous co∣lour, like them of Brassica, which erupt in the middle of Summer.

Bank-creffes, which some call Iri••, others T••rtela, do so much resemble Rocket both in gust and form, that they call it Rocket: yet seeing Galen reposes Erysimum amongst alimental Plants, I will scarce enumerate it among wild Rockets.

Eruca is also the name of a certain Insect, as well as an Heth, whereof there are many differences desumed from their dissidency in colour and magnitude, whereof we neither will, nor ought now to treat, it being our purpose to speak onely of such Simples as are In∣gredients necessary to Compositions in Pharmacopolies.

Rocket calefies and siccates in the third degree, * 1.185 extenuates the spleen, cures the bitings of Mice and Spiders, excites venery, moves urine, deleates black skars, if illited with Oxe-gail, and emaculates freckles.

CHAP. V. Of Nettle.

THere are two general differences of Nettles, * 1.186 one whose leaves are improbously mordacious, and surcle hurting the contrectants hands with its pungent down; the other innoxious, which may be handled without molestation. The former is by the Greeks called sometimes Acalyphe, because it is injucund to the tact; sometimes Cnide, because it punges morda∣ciously, commonly called Quick-Nettle; the other is called Lami∣••us, and Anonium, as also white, or dead Nettle.

There be also three sorts of quick Nettles, the two greater, and one lesser, all wild and spontaneous. Some call these wild ones, ma∣sculine and seminine Nettles, as superating one another in pro∣cerity.

The Romanes call that Masculine in the first place, which emits round surcles of half a cubits height, and sometimes longer, cave, and hollow, with broad, mucronated, simbrious, crisped leaves, rough and mordaceous on both sides, which by their contact excite lumps and ustion, and rubefy the skin. The seed is included in small pills, round and hispid, which proceed out of the root of the leaves.

That Feminine in the second, which produces seed not globular∣ly, but racemously, like Grape clusters, after the manner of the fe∣minine Mercury; its caul is higher, and more ramous; its ••ea••es broader, and all its parts mordacious.

The third sort is the least, and yet most ramous, mordacious, and graveolent, producing its seed racemously, but not after the manner of the former; for many grains erupt out of the surcie at the foot of the leaves together, but each one hath a pedicle like the masculine Nettle. This third sort is called Dog-Nettle, and is most of all mordaeious.

They all grow in incultivated places, about hedges, dams, and old walls, and sometimes in Gardens, and in fat soyls.

All Nettles siccate exceedingly, but calefie not so much; for though Urtica be ab urendo, Nettle from burning, yet they are not ustive from their heat, but by cansing such a pain from their pungent down: for (Macer. c. 2. l. 2.) Nettles decocted are very ignavely hot, they help the orthopnoical, moves urine and flowers; their feed stimulates to venery, and is a present Antidote against the poyson of Hemlock. It helps also against the malignant quality of Henbane, Mushromes, and Quick-filver, as also the bitings of Serpents, and poysonous Beasts. The seed of the mascussine Nettle is thought best.

Here we may not omit, * 1.187 that Oil conduces much to the ease of those pustuls and dolours excitated by Nettles; as also Elder leaves bruised and adhibited, which by a special propriety respect this af∣fection.

Many other Plants are reposed amongst Nettles, which are some∣times called Lamia, sometimes dead Nettles; whereunto another Plant is referred, which the Romanes call Labio, which some think is Agripalma, or Cardiack; others, Galeopsis, and Galeobdolon.

The first sort of these dead Nettles are those that assurge to a cu∣bital procerity with Nettle leaves, soft, and crisped, sometimes of a whitish, sometimes reddish colour.

The second very like the former, but not so ramous, with flowers like Spurge, but purpureous, issuing out of the genicles of its surcles.

The third is lesser, more imbecil and fetid, with rounder leaves, which is seldome, if at all used in Medicinal Confections. Some now of late make a syrup of the flowers of other Nettles for the af∣fections of the lungs and breast, which they call Syrupus de Lamis: but its effect doth not celebrate it.

CHAP. VI. Of Flower de luce, or Orris.

ACertain Lilly, whose flower in its variegated colour emulates the Rain-bow, painted in an opake cloud opposite to the Sun, is thence called Iris; whereof I have often noted twenty two sorts and varieties, which to recenseate, were superfluous.

But two especially are most frequently used in Medicine; the one our indigenous flower, which is of a ceruleous colour, and sweet odour, whose root potently educes waters; and the Tuscan or Fle∣rentine Iris, whose root is white, but flower much whiter, and both very fragrant; which pre-excells the other, save in educing serous humours out of the belly.

All Flower-de-luce hath long leaves like swords, and nodous roots; except a sew, whose roots are bulbous, and flowers patulous, like Lillyes, but with small leaves more reflected, three of which lesser sort are interposed amongst the three greater; after which, two or three husks that are triangular come forth, whereon angular seeds are contained.

The ceruleous Flower-de-luce, which some call, the Celestial Lilly, is most expetible in Pharmacopolies; for its root is hydrago∣gous, and usefull to the hydroptical; and an Oil may be made of its flowers, good for many things. The Florentinian is best, for it is ce∣phalical, aromatical, cordial, incisive, and apertive. All Flowers∣de-luce

calefy, extenuate, cure gripings, and expell flowers, being, according to Dioscorides, (c. 1. l. 1. universally usefull.

CHAP. VII. Of Helecampane.

ENulacampane puts forth leaves from its very root, which are long, late, mucronated, hispid, and numerous; its caul is hard, of three cubits length, or more; its flowers are aure∣ous, and stellated like Oxe-eye, or Flea-bane, which turn into knaps, the seed, which is like Thistle-seed, remaining.

Its root is great, crass, flave, odorate, and suaveolent; it grows in fat and humid places; the best is brought from Helena, where the Poets feign that it sprung up from Helena's tears, whence it had its name. Some say, Helena sowed it there to kill Serpents; for it is very efficacious against poysons, not onely such as infect men, but also and chiefly such as harm beasts; for given to Sheep in wine and vinegar, it keeps them from, and cures them in the pestilence, whereunto they are obnoxious, which the Vulgar call Clavelate.

Some think that the root of Hellecampane should be desumed instead of the unknown root of Behen; to whom I easily assent: * 1.188 for if Helecampane be not Behen, it's a good substitute.

Helecampane's ropt is manifestly hot; * 1.189 it moves urine and flow∣ers; mandicated, it confirmates teeth; and condited, cures the cough, (Diosc. c. 27. l. 1.) the decoction of the root epoted, cures convulsions, orthopnoity, pestilence, and bitings of Serpents.

CHAP. VIII. Of Cyperus.

CYperus is a triangular rush, growing in moyst and marish places, of a cubits or higher procerity, whose lower part is white, and top black; it produces long, gracile, arundina∣ceous, hard, cultellated leaves, with panicles depending on its sum∣mity, amongst which the seed lurk. Its roots are round, nodous, long, implicated one amongst another, and reptant like grass roots, blackish without, and subluteously white within, which are odorate, pleasant, and amare. The roots are onely usefull, the other parts good for little.

The root excellsses without mordacity, * 1.190 potently exsiccating ulcen, and perducing them to a skar, which for its astrictive faculty is very conducible to the ulcers of the mouth; it moves flowers and urine, and being drunk, helps the stone and dropsy.

There is another kinde of Cyperus very like this in effigy, but its root is more nodous and rotund, whence it is called round Cyperus.

Dioscorides makes mention of a Cyperus in India like Ginger, which masticated in the mouth, makes the juice of Saffron colour; which is amare and acrimonious to the gust; and erasive, if illited on a place.

CHAP. IX. Of Angelica.

IT'S a wonder that the Antients either knew not, or spoke not of this noble Plant, for whose rare faculties the more recent denominated it Angelica; than which, Europe produces not a more fragrant and pleasant Plant. It is more than two cubits high, with a geniculated, skrewed, palid, cave and ferulaceous caul; its leaves are ample, soft, green, and crisped like Alexanders leaves; its root is very crass and long, sometimes disterminated into many roots, most odorate and aromatical; out of which an oleous liquor exudes, of the same odour with the leaves and branches; its seeds are yellowish, plain, broad, and membranous.

There are three sorts of Angelica, * 1.191 two domestick, and one wild; one of the domestick, which is above described, seems to be a kinde of Laserpitium; the other, which is lesser, is like it in odour, form, and faculties, differing onely in magnitude.

The wild one is like these in root, caul, leafs, heads, odour, flower, and gust, onely its odour and sapour is not so sweet; it delights in cold, moyst, and meadowish places; it seems to be that Herb which Dodonaeus and Clusius call Archangelica; yet if that name be meet for any Herb, it is more proper to the true Angelica.

It is hot and dry in the second degree; * 1.192 it opens, attenuates, and digests; it incides and discusses crass humours; it is averse to poy∣sons, conduces in pestilentious diseafes, moves flowers, and recreates the heart and its faculties.

CHAP. X. Of Libistichum, or Ligusticum, or Lovage.

THe affinity in form among Simples, causes much ambiguity in discerning their distinct Species; for what Laserpitium is, how it is differenced from Libisticum; how both from Angelica Imperatoria & Smyrnium, can scarce be collected from the writings of the learned: but as much as I can attain by conjecture and reason, Ligusticum, which in the shops they call Levisticum, is a plant in altitude equalising some arboreous shrubs, with a geni∣culated cause, hollow within, leafes like paludapium, but bigger, lacinious, and as it were disterminated and incided into many parts, of a pale green shining colour, capitulated with Umbells, coronated with small and subluteous flowers shining on every side, to which a long, round, strewed seed succeeds like fennel seed, acrimonious to the gust, and suaveolent. (Diosc. C. 51. L. 3.)

Its root is white and odorate like the Hungarian Alheal: whence some call it Panacea.

They erre, who think it is Smyrnium, or Hiposelinum; and they more, who contend, that it is not onely Silvium or Laserpitium, but a succe educed out of that plant, and is called Belzoni: for this Gumme comes out of a tall tree, the Syreniack juice out of La∣serpitium, which is a ferulaceous plant; and out of Libisticum or Lumbrady, either no juice is educed, or none of it preserved after eduction; whether the Syreniack juice be sweet Asa, or Belzoin, shall be declared in its place.

Ligusticum growes plenteously in Liguria, and in the Mountain Apenninus, where it is called Panacea, * 1.193 because it resembles the Heraclea panax in its root, caul, and faculties. Panacea is four∣fold, the Syrian, the Heraclean, the Chironian, and the Centaurean, which some call the Pharnacean; but I leave these to the exact discussers of Simples, who write the History of all Herbs, and re∣turn to my purpose.

The Roots and Seeds of Ligusticum are calefactive, * 1.194 and there∣fore help concoction, roborate the ventricle, dissipate Flatuosity, move Urine and flours, take away the suffocation of the uterus, and cure the bitings of Serpents.

CHAP. XI. Of Seseli, or Hartwort.

MAny Plants dissident in effigies are donated with this name, as Massiliense, Aethiopicum the herb, Aethiopicum the shrub, Creticum or Thordylium, Peloponnense pratense & herbaceum, or that which is like hemblock: the Massilian Seseli, which is most

useful in medicine, hath a ferulaceous caul, of two Cubits heighth, * 1.195 geniculated, and hard; its leases like Fennel, but more ample, large and crasse, with white flowers in Umbells; long seeds like Fennel, which are very acrimonious, and yet grateful, whereof Medicks make much use.

The Aethiopian fruticious Seseli hath lignous, * 1.196 rigid, subrubeous and cubital surcls, long leafes, which are indifferent broad, smooth, and a whitish green: yellow flowers upon umbells, and long seeds like Libisticum.

The Aethiopian herbaceous Seseli, * 1.197 hath ferulaceous bicubital cauls, broad leafs like paludapium, umbells referted with white flowers, membranous, broad, plain, paleaceous, odorate, and grateful seed.

The Peloponnesian Seseli, * 1.198 hath a geniculated and ferulaceous caul, broad leafes variously dissected, patulous Umbells, sublu∣teous flowers, broad, long, plain seed; and a crass root somewhat blackish without, white within, acrimonious and amare, and grievous to the stomach.

The Cretian Seseli hath a lowe and more obsequious Caul, leass incided and crisped in their margine, small white flowers in um∣bells, small, broad, plain, odorate, and acrimonious seeds, which are seldom used in medicine.

All Seseli seed is hot and dry in the second degree, expels urine, * 1.199 drawes flowers and the young; and educes urine from the reins and bladder, the seed of the Massilian is best.

CHAP. XII. Of Gentian.

GEntian is not underservedly extolled, nor yet indignly deno∣minated after Gentius King of Illyrium; for it is a most solemn fugatour of pestilence, destroyer of putretude, and antidote against Poyson; its Leafes are like Plantain, or rather white Hel∣lebore, veinous, a foot long, very amare, and of a redly green colour; its Caul is cubitall or higher, out of whose severall ge∣nicls issue flowers, consisting of six small angust and radiant leafes vertiginously disposed, to which broad tenuious seeds suc∣ceed, which are included in the long Cauls whereon the flowers stood.

It growes in any place, but delights more in montanous so they be opaque; the best come from Illyrium, where it arrogated the princely name of its inventor: its root is of chiefest use.

Gentian especially in its root, comprises so much of vertue, that it keeps not onely men, * 1.200 but beasts also from the harm of poyson, drunk in water it corroborates the stomach, kills the worms, ar∣ceates puttertude; tames pestilentious poyson, and securely cures the stinging of poysonous animalls.

Other plants from some similitude acquire the name of Gentian, as the lesser Cruciata and Gentianella; but their faculties being little or not at all like the true Gentians, they seldom ingrede the composition of Antidotes.

CHAP. XIII. Of Tormentill.

THis plant is called Tormentilla, * 1.201 because it leniates the torment and pain of Odontalgy or tooth-ache; and Septa∣foile, by the Greeks Heptaphyllon, because it consists of seven leafes; it growes in shady, wooddy, and opaque places; it puts forth many slender simbecil and lower branches, be∣twixt every knot it emits seven leafes of inequal magnitude, luteous flowers; a crasse, tuberous, short root, black without, red within, whose use is eximious in curing pestilentious disea∣ses.

Its root calefies moderately, dryes exceedingly, to wit, * 1.202 in the third degree; it astringes moderately, wonderfully opposes putre∣tude, moves sudor, and efficaciously sucurres in pestilentious diseases.

CHAP. XIV. Of Poeony.

POEony is an herb eximious in name, flower and faculties; it hath many branches of feets length, with fair rubeous flow∣ers on their summities, ample like Roses, whence some call them Saint Maries Roses.

There are three sorts of Poeony; The first is the Masculine, * 1.203 which hath leafs like Walnut-trees, but lesser in circuit, and more crasse.

The second bears leafs divided like Lovage, lesser then the former, of a dark green colour, with shorter surcl's, and all things lesse, which is the foeminine.

The third seems to be neuter or promiscuous, bearing an Idea of both, which is neither absolutely red, nor white, but pale.

Some grow now in Gardens altogether white, and very fair; the most elegant whereof is multiflorous, whose flower is not simple like the rest, but manifold.

All have tuberous and multifidous roots, but some of them are more glandulous then the rest; they have long cauls, divided leafs, patulous flowers, in the summity of their cauls there are husks like Almond husks, which dehisceing shew their small red splendent grains like Orenge grains, and in the middle some black lucid, medullous ones, of a medicated sapour, acrimonious, sub∣astringent,

with some amaritude. I describe these briefly, lest my Work should swell into a greater Volume: Many things are supersititiously spoken of Poeony; which I willingly omit, not judg∣ing them worthy recital.

Its roots are commended to the roboration of the Nerves and Brain, * 1.204 to exarceate the Epilepsie, and cure it, as also to roborate the whole Head.

CHAP. XV. Of Rubia, or Madder.

THis Plant from its rubetude is by the Latines called Rubia, by the Greeks Erythrodanum; it puts forth quadrangular, sharp, and geniculated boughes from the very ground; with an∣gust, long, sharp leafes, orbicularly digested about the genicls; its flowers in the summities of its branches are small and luteous, to which a small round seed succeeds, which at first is green, af∣ter red, at last black.

Its roots are very long, numerous, flexibly dispersed along the ground, red within and without, wherewith wooll and skins are infected or dyed; the Shopmen calls it Dyers Ruby, the vulgar Garensa; it growes spontaneously in shady and opaque places, so that all regions abound therewith; its root is amare to the gust, accommodated to infect and dye woollen, and therefore most used by Dyers.

Ruby root moves urine and flours, * 1.205 cures the jaundice, its seed drunk in vinegar absumes the Spleen; its root applyed drawes flours, seconds, and the birth; and illited with vinegar, it cures the tetter or ringworm.

CHAP. XVI. Of Oinon, or Rest-Harrow.

THis plant is called Onon, * 1.206 Or Oinon, from its flower which in colour represents wine; the Barbarians call it the Oxens ar∣rest, * 1.207 or rest; the Romans the Ploughes remora, because its long and fibrous roots remorate the Oxen in ploughing: it is also called Acutella, because with hard and acure pricks it punges its attin∣gents; it is a most notorious plant, growing in the middle or margins of fields, especially in fat and glutinous soyles; and most vivacious of plants; For happening upon an accommodate foyl, it propagates much, emitting every year new surcles which spread themselves over the vicine land, so it be cultivated and fat: its furcles are short, rigid and spinous, coronated with leafes like Rue leafes disposed Garland-wise; its heads are circinnared, its leafs hirsure and suadveolent; its flower like Pease blooms, but lesser unicolorate and purpureous.

Its root calefies and extenuates, moving Urine, breaking, and expelling the stone, removing obstructions, expelling flours and blood, and curing the Jaundice.

CHAP. XVII. Of Eryngium, or Sea Holly.

ERyngium is either marine, * 1.208 which germinating plenteously in maritimous places, puts forth broad and angulous leafs cir∣cumsepted with hard pricks; or campestrian and vulgar, whereof there are many varieties, some being called the Spanish, Panno∣nian and Alpine Eryngium, besides many spurious names.

The leafs of the vulgar is sected into many acuminated, spinous particles; its caul is cubital and ramous, in whose summity cer∣tain globular heads circumcincted with pricks, radiate like Stars; out of the middles of which heads so horrid with spines, issue caeruleous and sometimes flave flowers: its root is crasse and long, black extrinsecally, white intrinsecally, succulent, sweet and odorate.

From the indefinite number of its heads many call it centum-ca∣put, the rusticks, hare, thistle and flying thistle; for the whole plant withering, is evelled by the force of the winds, which rol∣ling up and down the fields, eminously represents a running hare; they mistake, that think this is Secacul, for Serapio treats of these two in several Chapters, and gives them distinct descriptions: The Arabians call Eryngium, Astaraticon, not Scacul, or Scekakul; yet their faculties being alike, as the learned Writers do assert, vulgar Eryngium may well be substituted for ignote secacul.

Eryngiums root is calefactive, it deduces the passages, * 1.209 moves Urine and flours, expels sand out of the reins and bladder, and excites venery.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Common grasse.

SEeing grasse comprehends all plants which bear leafes, * 1.210 or a segetive Idea, it is no wonder if perite Herbalists enumerate fourty six differences thereof. Yet of all these the dogge-grasse is onely medicative, the rest rather affording aliments for beasts, then medicaments for man.

And as dogge-grasse is unknown to none, so is it infensive to all Agricolists, who with their hands and rakes purge their corn of it, which being very feracious, would otherwise surrept all ali∣ment from their wheat or vicine plants; for it creeps along with numerous, genicusated and vivacious radicls, which attract to themselves all the fatnesse of the earth.

Its leafes are hard, as broad as them of a small reed, tenuious and acuminated; whence women call it needle-grasse, and dogs∣tooth.

This grasse liberates the reins and other intrals from obstructi∣ons, * 1.211 and kills the intestines worms; the root is more excellent then any other part of the plant.

CHAP. XIX. Of Liqucrice.

THe whole plant is denominated from the sweetnesse of the root; for Glycyrrhiza, which Pharmacopolists call Liquorice, denotes a sweet root; some call it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because retained in the mouth, it quenches thirst.

Its root is long, numerous, spread along the ground, which e∣mits a caul of three Cubits high, with leaves like Lentisks dense, fatt, gluminous and gummeous to the touch; with pur∣pureous and somtimes white flowers.

In the Moneth of July or sooner, it beares Cods about the bignesse of Vetches or Cicers.

Theophrastus, (C. 3. L. 9.) calls it Scythica, because the Scythians useing a little Liquorice would tolerate thirst eleaven or twelve dayes. Children delight herein, for which end they demerge small peices of Liquorice in water in a glasse bottle, which when it is flave with Liquorice-juice they drink off, and put more wa∣ter thereunto; * 1.212 which they agitate for more potions.

The Cappadocians and Spaniards bring us every yeare Liquorice-Juice, condensed into Pastills.

They say it is temperate as to all qualities, but accedes nearer to calour, * 1.213 it leniates the asperities of the Artery, and Ulcers of the Bladder; it helpes the Cough, moves expectoration, and is very good against all diseases in the Lungs and Breast.

CHAP. XX. Of Cyclamen, or Sowe-Bread.

VArious and many are the nomenclatures of this Sowe-bread; for the Barbarians call it Arthanita; the Shopmen Hogs-Bread; some the Earth-Corke; others the Earth-Aple; and some Cissophyllon.

It growes in shady places, under Trees, in bryars and thick Woods, it flourishes in Autumne, it bears Leafes like Ivy which are angular, crisped about, of a greenly purpureous colour, maculated with white spots on both sides.

There is another sort of Cyclamen, which hath broad Leaves, but scarcely any whit angular, but rather round, and obscurely maculated.

And a third sort also, which hath lesser roots, more purpu∣reous flowers, and more suaveolent, which some think is that, which Pliny calls Chamaecisson.

Cyclamen is indued with many eximious qualities, for it in∣cides potently, opens, moves floures, expells conception though dead, cures the Jaundice, expells stones, it is efficacious against impostumes, emends all spots, is averse to Poisons, either by potion or application, drawes menstruous blood and young ones; They say, if a woman with Child go over the root of Cyclamen, she will become abortive: * 1.214 but light conjectures oft beguile the credu∣lous.

The later writers mention two more, different from the former in form and magnitude of leaves, as also in colour and inversion of their flowers: and besides, some flourish in the Spring, others in Autumn, others in the midle time.

CHAP. XXI. Of Scilla, or Sea Onyon.

THat Scilla 〈◊〉〈◊〉 caepacious, and delights in hot, sandy, and mari∣timous places, and growes spontaneously, is unknown to few, for it is of late called the Sea Onjon. And he that hath anatomized an Onyon and a Scilla, hath found no difference in their i•• ernals nor yet in their cores; yet in leafe flowers and seed they are much dissident.

When the leaves of Scilla are marcid, its Caule assurges to the height of a Cubit, with white flowers issuing out of its midle like strawberry-flowers, which from thence pullulate to its very sum∣mity; short, triangular and compressed huskes follow these, gra∣vidated with black and full seed.

The stalk is very long and florid, because of the threefold emersion of flowers; the first wherof, which are like them of Bulbus, expand themselves for a long season; then the second Garland of flowers performes its course; and then the last. And it is most re∣markeable, that the Caule and the Leaves never flourish at once for not till the Caule withers will the leaves erupt; nor, till the leaves become marcid, will the Caule assurge, contrary to the na∣ture of other Plants, which first emit leaves, then prolong their Caules: in Scilla the Caule first erupts, then the Leafes.

Scilla calefies in the second degree, and is very incisive, Ga∣len saith, it is best to take it boiled or rosted, for so its vehement quality will be castigated; duely praepared, it helpes against the frigid affections of the braine and Nerves. Galen repurged one, cut it small, demerged it in a melitery, insolated it forty dayes, and gave it to a boy infested with the Epilepsy.

CHAP. XXII. Of Bulbus, or the Sea Bulb.

BUlbus is either Coronative, medicative, or esculent; among the Coronative are enumerated the innumerable varieties of Daffadills, Lilionarcisses, Tulips, and Hyacinths; among the medicative, Scilla, Hermodactylls, Pancratium, and the vomitory Bulbus; and among the esculent which are also desumed to ma∣ny eximious medicinall uses, Leeke, the Onyons of Ascalon, and such as by a certain antinomasy are called regall Onions, as praecelling the rest, which excite venery, and which come in frequent use among the ancients for meat; instead whereof we use common Onions, which are the true bulbus, and pollicitate the same effects; being also alike described with the ancients, Bulbi, so that when Bulbus seed is praescribed, Onion or Scallyons seed may be usurped.

Bulbus is a certain root, corticous, short, round, and tunicated with many membranes, the most external whereof is greatest; it often growes out of the earth, producing some slender radicles like capillaments, which keeping in the earth attract convenient succe for the nutriment of the whole Bulbus.

Its fronts are like them of Onyons, round, angust, inane and mucronated; its caulicles of nine inches heighth, in whose sum∣mity, little purpureous flowers emicate, to which succeeds seed black without, white within.

All sorts of Bulbus are acrimonious; * 1.215 they excalefie, excite ve∣nery, suppeditate Aliment, cause inflation, and stiffnesse of the yard; but two large plenty of them should not be used in meats, because they trouble the nerves. Of all the Bulbuses I think Sa∣tyrium most excites venery, the rest are more ignave, causing it by their flatuosity.

CHAP. XXIII. Of Satyrion, or the True Dogs-stones.

SOme plants from the effigies of their roots are called Testicls, from their effect Satyria, because they make men Satyrs-like prone to venery; amongst Bulbous roots, such as have but one bulb, are properly called Satyria; that which hath two, Cynos∣orchis; that which hath three, Triorchis. Of every of which there are many differences, some desumed from the form of their bulbes: * 1.216 others from the number of their leafs; others from the colour of their flowers and their positure; yet are all alike in fa∣cultres, and friends to Venus: but that is most approved, whose root is singular, round, about the magnitude of an Apple, yellow

without, white within, turgid with carnosity, sweet to the gust, and grateful to the mouth. Three leafs emerge out of this root, which are depressed towards the ground, in figure and colour like Lillies leafs, but lesser; from which three it is called Trifoile; its caul is of a foot heighth, its flowers small and white, the roots of this praecels the rest for conditure; and this I think is the true Satyrium.

Condited Satyria are analeptical, and restaurative; they are good for such as are tabid, and such as frequently exercise venery: for the root of Satyrium is thought so potent in exciting venery, that by retension in ones hand, it will stimulate them to congresse; whence the Greeks design all plants by the nomenclature of Saty∣rion, which excite venery.

CHAP. XXIV. Of Leeks.

LEeks are sowen in gardens for culinary uses; for the plant is rather esculent then medicinal, as Cooks well know; yet its succe is sometimes usurped in medicinal remedies, as in coacting the powders of foetid pills; and sometimes in extinguishing or rather educing of Empyreums: for though it be calid, yet it hath an excellent faculty, in attracting and expelling the impressed vestigium of colour.

Leck is either sative or spontaneous, and both are twofold; * 1.217 the first sort of the sative is called the headed Leek; the second the sective Leek; the first, because it consists of a round root like an Onyon; the later, because its root is longer and oftner sected; one sort of the spontaneous is called Schoen oprasum, which bears tenuious leafs like a bulrush: the other is called Ampeloprasum, which growes spontaneously in vineyards and other places.

Dioscorides makes mention of one, to wit, the headed Leek, whose head or rather root that it might greatly increase and di∣late it self, the ancients covered it with a tile or slate, and so they obtained their end; many other wayes are invented, whereby Leeks may acquire a prodigious magnitude; but these we leave to Gardners.

All Leeks calefie extreamly, ezsiccate, extenuate, open, incide, * 1.218 resolve and help against the bitings of Serpents and Ustions.

Its seed brayed and drunk in passum or white Wine, helps against the difficulty of urine, and diduces its passages: some write, that Leek eaten excites venery, and discusses ebriety; but its frequent use causes tumultuous sleeps, hurts the sight, and be∣gets aeruginous bile.

CHAP. XXV. Of Radish root, and Rape or wild Navew.

THere is much affinity betwixt radish root, rape root, and wild Turnep. Radish root is so notorious, that it needs not much explication; for the vulgar are so delighted therewith, that they sustain themselves with this root, bread, and salt; nay all Nations make meat thereof: * 1.219 There are three sorts hereof, one is the greater, which is an enemy to Vines; another lesser; the third is black radish, which some call wild radish, the Gar∣deners Reforum.

Rape root, * 1.220 is from its tumescent figure called Bunias, from its round figure Gonzylon, or rather Strongylon; vulgarly Nape: its root is very crasse, carnous, tuberous, white and not capillated; its leafes, long, sharp, green, deeply incided on both sides, its Caule bicubitall and ramous; its flowers luteous to which Cods succeed, praegnant with seeds like Colewort feeds but grea∣ter, which ingrede the confection of Mithridate, whose faculty is eximious in expugning venenate diseases.

Some suspect, that Bunias differs from Nape, and that the seed of Bunias, and not of Nape, ingredes the composition of Mithri∣date, but each may be substituted in defect of the other.

There are three differences of Napes or Rapes desumed from their Roots, the first is orbiculated, turbinated, and short; the second crasse and long; the third lesse, and vulgar, which the vulgarity call Nape.

Napes or Turneps as they acquire their magnitude, so also their bonity from the condition of the Heavens and of the soyl; those that grow in the fields about * 1.221 Caen, are so sweet and grateful, that they are justly preferred before the rest.

Rapistrum is a certain wild rape root not at all bulbous; * 1.222 which germinates in every field, with broad, green leafs, and luteous flowers, whose seed the women call Navet.

There is another sort thereof, with leafs like Bank-cresses, which is called Lapsana; as also a third kind with leafes like rocket, and white flowers; all of them bear small, black, round seeds included in Cods.

Radish roots are eaten raw, turneps not without coction; all calefie, open, and move urine.

CHAP. XXVI. Of Anemone, or Wind-flower.

WE have above treated onely of such Calefactives, whose Roots were most celebrated, save that at the beginning of this Section we described a few, because of their exceeding calidi∣ty; whose roots were uselesse. Now we come to dissert of such whose other parts are also useful, beginning with Anemone. Which is sometimes called the Winds-herb, because it never opens and dilates it self, save when the wind blowes; the Poets fable, that it grew from Adonis blood, whence they call it Ado∣nis his flower. There are two general differences hereof, * 1.223 one is the wild, the other the garden Anemone; both which, (especial∣ly the later) are manifold; whose sorts and varieties are distin∣guished onely by the colour and multiplicity of their flowers: for some bear white flowers; others red; others caeruleous; some phoeniceous; others somewhat red; others violaceous; and others a greenish red: all which are coronary for the excellency and pulchritude of their flowers: but the wild Anemones va∣rieties are fewer, and yet more requisite in medicine; as in the confection of unguent Marliatum: des. Myrepsus; wherein wild Anemone, especially that that is called wind-herb is usurped: but seeing all their descriptions and variety are excellently and ele∣gantly depinged, by the famous Authors D. D. Dod. & Clus. I will not further prosecute their descriptions.

All the sorts of Anemone are acrimonious, apertive, incisive, detersive, and exsiccative.

CHAP. XXVII. Of Keiri or Wallflowers.

KEiri is a Mauritanian word, denoting a luteous Violet, which is alwayes green, patient of Cold, contrary to the nature of other Violets which wither at the first aspect of Win∣ters rigidity; and grow not again till they be new sowen: I ex∣cept the Garden Violets, that repullulate every year; in follow∣ing the distinction of the Herbalists, who nothing sollicitous about the nature of words, distinguish Leucoïon from white vio∣lets; when yet Leucoïon enunciates nothing more then a white violet: Leuco signifies white; ïon, a Violet.

And as there are many varieties of Violets, so are there also of Leucoïa, amongst which, that which bears a luteous flower, to wit, Keiri, is most commendable to medicinal uses: it growes in all places, as on stone walls, old edifices, and rubbages, and other saxous and dry places; it is sowen also, and pullulates in gardens

near walls; its Causs are ramous, many, rigid and slender; its leafs long, angust, of a blewish green, lesser and more rigid then other violets: its flowers luteous, odorate and sweet, its codds long and small, wherein a small plain seed is coarctated.

They make an oyl of the flowers by infusion, fit to resolve hu∣mours, mitigate cold dolours, and roborate the nerves; ʒ. ij. of its seed given in wine, or subacted with honey educes flowers, young, and secondines. A bath made of the decoction of its flowers will perform & effect the same.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of Thyme.

THyme unknown to none, is a little surculous plant, with small angust leafs, vested with many heads, referted with white flowers in its summities: whereof there are two sorts; the first called Cephaloton, * 1.224 which is like Stoechas; the others dif∣fers from this, because it is harder, and hath few leafs and flow∣ers, and them not on heads, but about the leaf roots. There is another exotical Thyme, they call Peruvian Thyme, which is not so surculous and folious, lesse acrimonious and more suaveolent, in other things it responds to the rest.

Thyme calefies and siccates in the third degree, it incides, at∣tenuates, moves flours, protrudes the young, purges the Bowels and Lungs: it is thought very conducible to the clarity of the eyes.

But it is more frequently used in condiments then otherwise. * 1.225

CHAP. XXIX. Of Serpylle, or Mother of Thyme.

THere are two sorts of Serpyll, one garden, which is greater and more succulent, delighting in culture and fat soyl; the other wild, which growes in petrous, squalid, dry sterile places, and in the margines of fields and on hills; both of them are like Thyme, in effigies odour and sapour, they derive their names from creeping; for their branches creep along by the ground, and radicate where ever they touch it: the vulgar and wild serpyl is exile and small like a little Vine, hard and lignous, assurging a palm in altitude, with small leafs like Thyme; others lay along, demitting capillated fibres or radicles into the earth.

They have round heads on their summities; out of which issue flowers of a whitish red and purpureous colour, which with the whole Plant are suaveolent.

Another kind of serpyll is found in many places which is not Serpentine as the rest, but large and wild which the shopmen call Montanous, Penny-royall.

The Garden Serpill because of its gratefull and sweet odour is enumerated among the coronaries, its circles are longer and crasser then the other, its leafes also broader, and duller, and its heads coronated with greater flowers.

Serpill is acrimonious and hot, moves floures and Urine, abates the gripeings of the belly, conduces in the Lethargy, cures the biteing of poisonous beasts, and by its fume when it is burn∣ed repells Serpents.

CHAP. XXX. Of Sampsuchum and Marjoram.

SAmpsuchum according to Dioscorides is not Marjoram, but ano∣ther ramous hearb, which is reptant, with round and hirsute leaves like calamint, whereas Marjoram is not reptant but erect with many surcles, and with mucronated not round leafes, yet it may well be used for want of Sampsuchum, for it is a plant both in faculty and forme very like it, whose gratefull odour and sa∣vour causes it to be nourished in gardens and pots with diligence and care, and Marjoram perhaps desumed its name from Marum as Dodonaeous writes, who makes Marjoram, Marum and Hysobrium one Plant, as he collected from Dioscorides his description; and Sampsuchum and Amaracus another; as he gathered from Diosco∣rides and Theophrastus; yet Amaracus by Galens authority which he also gathered out of Dodonaeus is Feverfew so named, not by his own but by anothers lapse; seeing Amaracus is indeed Sampsuchum.

We cannot admit of their reasons who make Pulick Mountain a kind of Marum; which the vulgar French call Mastick sinck they are very dissident, for Marum according to Dioscorides is a sur∣culous herbe, with a flower like Origanum, leafes much whi••••r, and by him called Origanum. Pliny saith it is an exoticall Plant and not to be numerated amongst the domestick family, whereas Clinopodium, which some call Cleonicon, other Zopyron, is an herb of vulgar dignotion, and like Serpill.

Now Marjoram is either impatient of cold, or most patient there∣of, the latter is Winter Marjoram which flourishes in the midle of Winter; the former summer Marjoram which perishes with the first occurse of frost.

Marjoram is manifestly calefactive cephalicall, and hysteri∣call, which drank or assumed at the mouth or fundament acce∣letates flowers.

CHAP. XXXI. Of Penny-Royall.

PEnny-royal is two-fold, * 1.226 the one masculine and sative, which is the true Pulegium and latifolious; the other wild and an∣gustifolious: the true Pennyroyal doth abundantly emit many and round cauls, which are often procumbent; But oftner extoll themselves on high, two leafs somewhat rotund emerge out of each genicle; its flowers are subcaeruleous, circumcingeing the culms about the exortion of the leafs. Pennyroyal is suaveolent, especially when it is coronated with flowers; its water distilled duly in a glasse vessel will keep its odour: and as the true Pule∣gium or Pennyroyal differs little from the second sort of Cala∣mint, so neither doth the wild differ from Serpil: it growes best in dry saxous and mountanous places, whence it is called moun∣tain Pulegium, which many say is Clynopodium; fresh Pulegium incended will kill gnats. Many odorate Herbs are referred to Pulegium, in the designation whereof Authors agree not.

It calefies in the third degree, it exsiccates, attenuates, moves flowers and secondines, digests pectorall phlegm, helps con∣coction, eases convulsions; in wine it cures Serpents stings, cures the spleenatick by admotion, and is good against the affections of the Podagry and Epilepsie.

CHAP. XXXII. Of Polium.

THe little tomentaceous and whitish head of Polium coacted into the Species of an hirsute berry, represents the hoary head of an old man; whence its denomination is desumed: it hath from one root numerous, slender, hard, lignous, round surcles of half a hands height; its leafs are long, crisped and ri∣gid like Germander, but more angust and better harnessed; the tops of its branches are coronated with small flowers; circum∣vested with white down, many whereof are coacted together in∣to one head; its seed is small, black, and long.

The whole Plant is hollow, growing most abundantly in squa∣lid montanous places; whence Pharmacopolists call it Mountain-Polium, which Dioscorides calls Teuthrio; it is graveolent, and yet not injucund, but useful in Medicine.

There is another sort of Polium not so potent in odour, nor firm in power: whose surcles are also rigid and round, leafs shorter and more angust, flowers many congested together, and hoary with white down.

Remb. Dodonaeus recenseates yet two sorts more; Pena, four:

Which I leave to their investigation, who undertake to describe the universal History of plants.

Polium calefies in the second degree, ficcates in the third; it cures the Dropsie, Jaundice, and affections of the Spleen: it moves urine and flours, it drives away Serpents either by substraction or fumigation; it drawes wounds to skars.

CHAP. XXXIII. Of Basill.

BAsill or Ozymam, being a most odorate plant, doth justly chal∣lenge this name; lest posterity should confound it with Ocy∣mum, which Varro saith, is a kind of Pabulum, made up of green segetives for Oxen: For the same fragrancy it is called Basill, as though it were worthy a basilical or regal house. Many think it is called Ocymum from the celerity of its growth; for it erupts the third day after its sature, and often sooner; and some super∣stitiously or rather ridiculously believe, that it will make a more abundant provent, if it be sowen with maledictions: but its sig∣nification challenges z instead of c. from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to smell; because me whole plant smells sweetly; it is admirable, that Amber should expell the dry furcles of Basil, and yet attract the small stalks of all other segetives.

Holerius a Physician of Paris, tells us a story worth our notice, * 1.227 of a certain Italian, who frequently smelling to basil, had a Scor∣pion generated in his brains, which caused long and vehement dolours, and, at last, his death: yet the Libyans aver, that who ever eats Basil, he shall not that day fear to be hurt by a Scorpion.

There are four sorts of Basil, three sative, and one wild, which is called Acinos; two of the satives are latifolious, one angusti∣folious, which we call the lesser Basil.

The vulgar and latifolious, is surculous with round branches, leafs like Mercury of a cubital altitude, with white flowers, and sometimes purpureous; black and small seed, which D. Fern usurps to the Syrup of Arthemifia.

It is manifestly hot, dissolves flatuosity, moves urine, * 1.228 helps against fadnesse invected by melancholy, exhilarates, and ani∣mates; yet Chrysippus disallowes of its use, as inducing madnesse, and hurting the sanity of the eyes.

CHAP. XXXIV. Of Origanum.

THere are four sorts of Origanum; the first is called Origa∣num Heracleoticum, or Cunila; the second, Onitis; the third, Sylvestrian; the fourth, Tragorian; which also is of two sorts, which I will not describe at large.

The true Origanum is like the great Marjoram in leafs and branches; it bears umbels on its summities not circinated, but armed with small prickles variously congested: it begins to grow in the middle of Summer; and as it is like Marjoram in form, so also in odour: but it is more patient of Cold, for it lives in the middle of Winter, it is averse to Colworts, and to all kinds of Serpents; wherefore when Snailes are about to dimicate with Serpents, they arm themselves with Origanum, which is very prevalent against cold poysons.

It calefies, * 1.229 siccates, incides, attenuates, moves urine and flours, and is good for such as are troubled with Coughs or diffi∣culty of breathing, if it be taken in honey eclegmatically.

CHAP. XXXV. Of Mint.

THough Mint be well known to every one, for being most vi∣vacious, it germinates in every place; yet its Species are not all exactly described, but Mint, Menthastrum, Si∣symbrium, & Calamintha, all confusedly designed, which are thus distinguished.

Mint is either garden, domestick and true; or wild, which is called Menthastrum; * 1.230 now there are four Species of Mint: The first hath quadrangular cauls, obscurely red, somewhat pilous, with round leafs, and subrubrous flowers growing orbicularly about the Cauls: its root is Serpentine, which puts forth ever and anon new Turiones.

The second in root, leaf, Odour and magnitude aemulates the first, but its colour is more obscurely red, and the flowers in the summities of its branches are spicated.

The third hath longer leafs, and flowers in its ear.

The fourth hath long and sharp leafs, with subpurpureous flowers, geniculately circumvesting the internodia of the cauls like the first.

Besides these which the perite Herbalists enumerate, Matthio∣lus adjoyns another, which the Goritians call Greek-Mint; Val. Cordus, Sarracenica; some, St. Maries herb; some, Roman Sage; some, Lassulata; and most, herbe du co{que} after the French.

It growes in most Gardens, its leafs are like the greater Sage, or Betony; of a greenly white colour and crisped, its Cauls are cubital or longer; whose summities emit coryambaceous flow∣ers, of a yellowish colour like Tansey flowers, its sapour is amare; it and all mints are graveolent, yet not ingrateful.

There be also two sorts of Menthastrum or wild-Mint; the first growes about any old wall or ditch, with more large and rufous leafs, easily incided, whose flower is spicated: the other Meadow-Mint, which growes in water brinks, whose leafs are hispid,

hoary, and subrotund, and flowers spicated as the former, both are graveolent, yet grateful.

Mint is useful to cibaries, * 1.231 which being young is a very grate∣ful fallet herb, but more adult it is more ingrateful and hard: it is of a hot nature, and very stomachical; for its quality is to augment the heat of the ventricle, it confirms roboration, helps coction, discusses flatuosity, and cures gripings.

Sisymbrium hath such cognation with the family of Mints, that by culture or neglect it may be transmuted into Mint, or Mint into Sisymbrium; the Shopmen call it Balsamint; the vulgarity, Rugged Mint: it differs much from Sion, or Perula, as also from Cardamen, or Crescion, which they call water-mint: for the true Sisymbrium, which many call wild Serpil, is very like Garden mint, but more odorate and latifolious, which hath excellent medicinal faculties, (Diosc. C. 155. L. 2.)

CHAP. XXXVI. Of Calaminth.

THere are three sorts of Culaminth; * 1.232 the first is familiar with mountains; the second challenges affinity with Pennyroyal; the third with Menthastrum.

The first delights in squalid tuberous and montanous places, and is called Mountain-Calaminth, which for its elegant effigies and grateful odour, is now cicurated in Gardens; as also all kind of Mints, to which it responds after a manner both in faculties and nomenclature; for Calaminth portends fair Minth, and this com∣plex name denotes its nobility.

The second sort of Calaminth hath leafs like Pennyroyal, but sometimes greater, whether variegated with spots, with whitely purpureous flowers amicting its cubital branches, it delights in aprike places, and is found in many fields when the segetives are demessed; it is also called Nepeta in Dioscorides, who yet neither approves nor disapproves of the name.

The third is like Menthastrum, with leafs somewhat longer Caul and Branches greater then the former, and yet not so effica∣cious. Dodonaeus exhibited the herb Cattaria instead of this. Fuchsius exhibits another much dissident; and Dioscorides describes not a Line of Cattaria; yet it may justly be referred to the family of Calaminths, as having cognation therewith; though the herb and faculty hath been unknown by the Ancients. It puts forth many quadrate hard caulicles, at every knot two hoary leafs like horenound, spicated flowers like Mint or Menthastrum; it is called Cattaria, because Catts delight in eating and playing with its leafs; Apothecaries call it Nepeta.

It calefies and attenuates exceedingly; * 1.233 it hath a peculiar fa∣culty in auxiliating the conception, and foecundating the womb.

Yet all Calaminth is of a tenuious substance, * 1.234 hot and dry in the third degree, it abates gripings, kills worms, cures the Jaun∣dice, educes flowers, takes out blew skars, cures difficulty of breathing, and strenuously digests humours; the montanous Ca∣laminth is most efficacious.

CHAP. XXXVII. Of Wormwood.

THough Absynth be an herb of vulgar dignotion, yet scarce two agree in recenseating and describing its Species: how∣ever letting passe the varieties of opinions, we assert, that there are three sorts of Wormwood; * 1.235 the common Wormwood, the San∣tonian Wormwood, and the Scriphian Wormwood: They erre, who say, that the common Wormwood differs from the Roman and Pontian, and that the Santonian is the Roman Wormwood; for the common is the Roman Wormwood, so called, because it was holy to the vulgarity, and because it grew plenteously in the Roman fields, and in every old hedge. The Pontian is so denomi∣nated from Pontus, and from its stypticity or astriction.

That which is called San••onian, or rather Xantonian Worm∣wood, is so denominated from a tract where it growes, bearing the same name: hence some call its seed Sanctum, when they should call it Sanctonian seed; the whole plant is like common Wormwood, but lesser, and not so white; its seeds are not se many, and its flowers are small.

The third sort which is called Scriphian or Marine Wormwood, growes copiously on the Mountain Taurus near Cappadocia, the herb is slender, like small Suthernwood, referted with small seeds, subamare and graveolent with some calefaction; the whole is so like foeminine Southernwood, that they can scarce be discerned each from other.

Galen saith, * 1.236 that all Wormwood participates of an aromatical acrimonious and amare quality, but some Gardens afford us vul∣gar Wormwood no whit amare but sweet, distinguished from the Pontian onely in sapour; All roborate the stomach, help co∣ction, and kill Worms, whether they be assumed or adhibited. See Dioscorides about the differences and qualities of Worm∣woods; as also Gasparus Bauhinus, who published a whole Book of Wormwood.

CHAP. XXXVIII. Of Mugwort.

THe Species of Mugwort are more then two, contrary to the opinion of many; for besides the common differences of la∣••••••lious and tenuifolious, there is one marine Mugwort, which from one lignous root, fruticates in many sarments, with lowe and serpentine leafs; and if we believe Ruellius and Fuchsius, Fe∣verfew and Tansey are Species of Mugwort.

All Mugworts are Sylvestrian, the first whereof is latifolious, lacinious, and marginally dissected; with streight, round, stria∣••d bicubital cauls, and small flowers like Wormwood: it growes by way-sides, and oftentimes in the middle of Gardens.

The second is more tenuious, with a small white and graveo∣lent flower.

The third is also tenuifolious, which growes about hedges and water-tracts, whose flowers and leafs contrited refer the odour of Marjoram; the vulgar is used to the confection of the Artemisian Syrope.

It was called Artemisia by King Mausolus his Wife, whereas before it was called Parthenis. Many superstitious people call it St. John's herb, wherewith he circumcinged his Loyns on holy∣dayes.

It calefies in the second degree, opens, attenuates, * 1.237 expells flow∣ers, secondines and young, and auxlliates many affections of the Uterus.

CHAP. XXXIX. Of Melissa, or Balm.

WIth the same complacency that a Cat is carried to Catta∣ria, is a Bee carried to Apiastrum or Melissophyllon, which is a melleous leaf. There are many differences hereof; for be∣sides that Sylvestrian which is improperly called Melissa by Fuch∣fius, which smells like Cymice; the vulgar is most celebrous; then the Spanish, and then the more peregrine as the Moluccian, which comes from the Islands of Molucra.

Our Melissa is well known, it assurges with quadrangular sur∣cles, broad, rugous and subasperous leafs, smelling like Quince-Apple; with two prominents betwixt each knot, which emit small cups, with candicant flowers, after which a small blackish seed succeeds.

The Spanish Melissa is in effigies, odour, and faculties, very like the former, but its leafs are lesser, not so rigid and green.

The Moluccian Melissa is twofold, the one smooth, the other spinous, both emitting culms and leafs like ours.

It calefies in the second degree, * 1.238 siccates in the first; in insessi∣ons it educes flowers, and in drink or illition it confers against the bitings of Scorpions, spiders, and dogs; it roborates the head, increases the memory, and recreates the animal faculties.

CHAP. XL. Of Horehound.

* 1.239 THere are two kinds of Horehound, the one white, the other black, which is called Ballore; both are ramous without roots, of half a foots altitude, growing about walls and fields margins: the white which is of more use hath quadrangular cauls hirsute with small hoarinesse; two subrotund, rugous, incided, and lanuginous leafs: its flowers which are small emerge out of small cups, which verticillately circumdate the genicls of the surcles: all Horehound delights in ruderous places, and about ruined aedifices; some prefer black Horehound before the white; but I choose the white with the more perite and Learned.

It is hot in the second degree, * 1.240 dry in the third; it removes ob∣structions, purges the Lungs, educes flowers, conduces to broken and convelled nerves, and is given against the stings of Serpents and poysonous potions.

CHAP. XLI. Of Betony.

Betony is altogether wild, delighting in opaque and watry places, yet for its excellent endowments it is cultivated in Gardens, it emits long, broad, green, subasperous leafs, incided about like a Saw; its caulicles are slender, quadrangular, some∣what hirsute, and cubital; its flowers are spicated, red and white in some places: the Greeks call it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Latines, Betonica, which name may be detorted to another plant, which some call Vetonica altilis; some, flos Armerius; and the Germans, flos superbus.

Besides the vulgar Betony, there is another latifolious one, found in many places, which delights more in culture, and flourishes most in Gardens.

Betony is hot and dry in the second degree, * 1.241 it is indued with a cephalical and alexiterial faculty, wherefore it is good against the Epilepsie and poysonous diseases; especially against the bi∣tings of mad dogs and Serpents; and if any praeassume this, lethall poyson drunk shall not hurt him.

CHAP. XLII. Of Veronica, or Speedwell.

VEronica is twofold, one masculine, the other foeminine, which many call Elatine; the former, Paulus Aegineta calls Betony; it creeps along the earth, with many hirsute and pedall surcles with long leafs, lesser then Betony; somewhat like * 1.242 Teu∣crion, but lanuginous, with flowers orderly digested, of a purpu∣reous colour, with a small rotund black seed contained in cups like boxes, and with a slender root variously divaricated.

The foeminine Veronica, which many call Elatine; some, Rep∣rilis Veronica, hath many, pedal, slender, flexile, lanuginous, and solious surcles; with hoary, pilous leafs, like * 1.243 Nummulary: with small white flowers like * 1.244 Anthirrhinon, with small, round black seed like * 1.245 Pimpernel, much of it growes among segetives in fallow ground and sandy places.

Some make mention of a kind of Veronica, with an erect Caul, which puts forth more rigid furcles, which are renuious, ramous and folious like the former.

Dodonaeus adds another Veronica, growing in Meadowes and moist places, in effigies and magnitude very like the foeminine; but its leafs are lesser, not lanuginous, but smooth and green: its brauches are reptile, flowers caeruleous, its seed contained in lit∣tle boxes small and black; this and the former are seldom or ••ever used in medicine.

Sense indicates, that Veronica is hot and dry; * 1.246 and experience demonstrates it to be astrictive, and a good vulnerary: it cures the Scab, Wounds, Ulcers, and all vices in the skin; it hath a peculiar faculty in curing, or at least asswaging, cancerous Ulcers. Fuchsius writes falsly, that the King of France, correpted with the Leprosie, was cured with the adjument of this herb: for no King of France was ever correpted with such a foede disease, nor yer with Pestilence.

CHAP. XLIII. Of Ditanny.

DItiany's caulicles are cubital or shorter, which divide them∣selves into certain wings, on whose summities depend flow∣ers proceeding from the same interstices, in the form of scales: its leafs are rotund, but acuminated on the one side, very lanugi∣nous, and like pennyroyal, but higher: that is best that growes in Crete; and that most laudable that growes on Picte, a Mountain in that Region, whence it is denominated; some of the Greeks call it Beloacon, that is, Weapon-salve; and Belotocon, because it

excludes infixed ••••rts: for Harts confixed with Arrowes run to Dictanny, by the contact whereof they exclude the Arrowes. Hence some call it Dorcidium or Cervary, because Harts first inven∣ted its use. Goats also feeding near it, and vulnerated demon∣strated its efficacy; its leafs are tomentous, and its flowers of a violaceous black colour.

Another kind of Dictanny is found in some maritimous places, as in the Barofluctuan shores in Normandy, very like this in leass, which is called Pseudo-Dicamny; but its flowers do verticulately circumcinge its surcles, and its faculties are not so efficacious as the legitimate.

Dictamny which some call Diphthomny is hot and dry in the third degree, it will by the Ancients testimony extract weapons, extinguish intros••••ued poyson; it helps in pestilence, exclu•••••••• flowers, young, and seconds; abates the spleen, and ••ures Stran∣gury.

CHAP. XLIV. Of Stoechas, Cassidony, or French Lavender.

SToechas is unjustly firnamed Arabian, seeing it equally germi∣nates in other parts and regions, as in Crete, Belgium and No••∣mandy, where it lives well among Snowes, and in the Islands Stoechades, from which, or from their spicated summities they are denothinated.

Dodonaeus knew three sorts thereof; the first, the common and true Stoechas; the second, the Belgian, like the former in effigies; the third with sawed leafs: besides which there is another with golden coloured leafs, like Eliochrysum, and is called Chrysocome or Orenge-coloured Stoechas; this hath short and slender caulicles, angust, hoary and hispid leafs, and luteous splendent flowers like small bubles: it growes in rough and Sandy places; Pena mal•••• three sorts hereof. See him.

The true Stoechac emits many cubitall, slender, and lignous cauls, with hair on its summities angular like ears of Corn, long leafs, broad like Lavander spike and heary; small, caeruleous odorate flowers in a Foliaceous spike which are sua veolent.

Stoechas is manifestly hot a mare, moderately astrictive and ve∣ry cephalical; for it recreat•••• head, and all animal faculti•••• discusses frigid humours, exhilarates the mind, and conduce•••••• all affections of the head flowing from a cold distempet: it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 borates all the intrals, and the whole body.

CHAP. XLV. Of Sage.

SAge is either domestick or Sylvestrian; domestick is twofold, the greater and the lesser: both called Elelisphacos, though some denote the greater onely with this name, calling the lesser Spha∣celos, which some call wild Sage, others boske Sage.

There is another kind of Sage in Crete that bears betries, which in figure, odour, and sapour is very like ours.

Sage is a ramous plant, (Diosc. C. 41. L. 3.) having quadrangu∣lar and hoary branches, with leafs like Quince leafs, but more angust, sharp, crasse and whiter: its flowers which depend on the tops of its branches are fulcated like them of Horminum, and cae∣ruleous.

Salvia is Cephalical, nerval, calefactive, siccative, apertive, * 1.247 moving flours and urine; the lesser must be selected as better to the confection of Stoechas, but the greater may well supply its defect.

CHAP. XLVI. Of Horminum, or Clary.

CLary is either sative, * 1.248 which delights in cultivated and fat soyl; or wild, which growes in meadowes and macilent places: both are well known, they emit from one root, many cubital, angular, and subhirsute Cauls, but especially the sa∣tive: their leafs are broad, mucronated and sharp like Hore∣hound: their flowers besides their leafs do verticulately circum∣cinge their surcles; their flowers are of a purpureous caerulcous colour; sometimes whitish, sometimes altogether white, erupt∣ing out of boxes, which dehisceing for maturity look down∣wards: a small, long, and black seed is included in these; the seed of the wild ones is round and brown.

Horminum and Orvalla have so much affinity with each other, that very grave men, and perite Herbalists constitute no diffe∣rence betwixt them; but they are without distinction; as Mat∣thiolus hath noted. Horminum comes from the verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, be∣cause it drawes its usurpers to venery. Some call it Sage of Rome; but Orvall is commonly called, All good: sometimes, Gallitriche; by some, Cockles center: by others, Sclarea; and by some, Scarlea; whose four varieties Dodon, delivers, which here particularly to recenseate, would be beyond mine institution.

Clary is manifestly hot, its seed drunk in Wine excites venery, * 1.249 takes away the white spot in ones eyes; it being demerged in some convenient liquor, cructates a certain mucage, which wonderful∣ly

helps the affections of the eyes: the Sylvestrian is more effi∣cacious.

CHAP. XLVII. Of Scordium.

SCordium is so called from the odour of Allium, which it re∣fers, it is a surculous plant procumbent on the ground, with two leafs issuing out of each genicle, which Leafs are long like Germander, but greater, incided in their circuits; soft, hirsute, and white, red flowers erupt out of the wings of the surcles, ve∣ry like the flowers of dead nettle or archangel, but lesser: that which growes in Crete is not onely laudable, but also that which growes in other Regions.

It is almost miraculous, that grave men, (especially Galen, C. 24. L. de Antiq.) write of Scordium, to wit, that those bodies of dead men lying upon the ground without Sepulture, which fell upon Scrodium, putrified much slower then others; and those parts of the carkasses that touched the herb were totally vindicated from putretude: wherefore Galen was perswaded that Scordium is averse to the poyson of all reptiles, and all noxious medicaments which cause putrefaction: it growes copiously in many Fennes, beside ditches and other concave and humid places; it is found also in many uliginous and fatter Mountains.

It calefies and siccates, * 1.250 preserves from putretude, and resists poysons; it cures the pestilence, and many contagious disea∣ses.

It is most usefully profitable in a potion against lethall poy∣sons and bitings, it purges the intralls, and moves flowers and urine.

CHAP. XLVIII. Of Rue.

RUe is enumerated amongst the graveolent herbs, whether it be domestical, whereof there is but one sort well known to all; or Sylvestrian, whereof there are more varieties. Rue is a suffrutitious, bicubital, ramous, surculous, folious, and conti∣nually green plant, which bears luteous flowers, upon whose occase, a quadrangular head emerges, divided with so many closets and continents, as it hath angles: wherein is contained that seed which ingredes the composition of the syrrup of Stoe∣chas.

Rue in Greek is Péganon, because its extraordinary dry spirit and calour exsiccate the genital sperme: yet it is indued with many other eximious faculties, which greatly commend its use:

Mithridates also set a good estimate upon it, who used it in that pcculiar Autidote wherewith he defended himself from many poysons.

Which he constituted of two hundred Rue Leafs, two figs, * 1.251 two dry Wallnuts, all contrited with a grain of salt.

The Sylvestrian Rue affords two differences especially, the one whereof, in leafs, odour, and effigies is very like the Garden Rue, and is called Mountain Rue, because it fruitcates on mountains; the other being most rare and variously denominated, hath exer∣cised many wits in its designation: Dioscorides (C. 53. L. 3.) seems to call it Moly, yet in the next Chapter describing Moly, he makes its leafs graminous, and roots bulbous, which can in no wise ac∣cord with Rue. The Cappadocians have also designed it with this name; the Syrians call it Besasan; the Arabians, Harmel & Har∣mala; which name many Shopmen give to common Rue: which may rightly be substituted in defect of the true Harmala, which is the second sort of Sylvestrian Rue.

This Harmala emits many caulicles of Nine Inches heighth, without any root; its leafs are angust, small, and long: its flow∣ers white and quinquefolious, its seed is contained in heads like them of the domestick Rue, but they are onely triangular; it is graveolent; it growes in Cappadocia, and in many incultivated places in Spain.

It is hot and dry in the third degree, it attenuates, incides, * 1.252 di∣gests crasse humours, and extinguishes Sperm.

We shall not now treat of Goat-rue, improperly so called, though we may speak of it in a more proper place.

CHAP. XLIX. Of Litho Sperm, or Gromell.

THis herb is called Lithosperm, from the durity of its seed; its leafs are like Olive-leafs, but longer, hispid, sharper, and of a sad green; its surcles are streight, slender, ligneous, sharp and hirsute: its flowers white, issuing out of the wings of its leafs, and depending upon short pedicls.

A small, rotund, hard and splendent seed, which glisters in the Sun, followes upon the occase of its flowers: whence it is pro∣bable, the Shopmen call it Sun-millet.

There are two sorts thereof, * 1.253 which in form and faculties aae alike, in magnitude onely dissident; besides which two others are found, which are either uselesse, or not experienced.

Lithosperm is hot and dry in the second degree, it moves urine, breaks and expels stones, liberates from obstructions, opens the passages, and helps against Strangury.

CHAP. L. Of Saxifrage.

MAny and different plants, from their faculty in breaking the stone, are called Saxifrages; thus Betony by Galen, and another ferulaceous herb like Epithyme by Dioscorides. Pimpi∣nell also, and other Lithontriptical plants are thus nuncupated: as also other plants which desume this name not from comminu∣tion or contrition of stones in the reins or bladder, but from their exortion in rocks; as Empetrum or Cristina marin••, which as it were dividing the rocks, issues out of their rimes and fruticates there long and vivaciously.

The vulgar Saxifrage, especially the greater, is very like Pim∣pinel, its leafs are variously descided, and serrated in their cir∣cuit: its caul is cubital, angulous and striated: its umbels whi∣tish, its seed like Garden smalledge, acrimonious and fervent to the gust.

The lesser differs from the former in little save magnitude. Many say, that Pimpinel differs from Saxifrage onely in hirsute∣nesse; for Pimpinel is pilous, the other smooth and glabre.

Other two plants, are referred to the family of Saxifrages; the one whereof is called white Saxifrage, because it bears a white flower; the other aureous, because it bears a golden flower; the seed of the greater Saxifrage should be selected to the confection of Benedicta Laxativa.

It is evidently hot and dry, * 1.254 it attenuates, incides, digests, ex∣purges, takes away obstructions, moves flowers, educes glutinous humours out of the breast, moves urine, and breaks and expells stones.

CHAP. LI. Of Aristolochy, or Birthwort.

ARistolochy is so called, because it helps childbearing, and edures their Lochia. Many call it the Earths apple, because its fruit is like an apple; but this nomenclature is peculiar to the round ones, for the fruits of some are turbinated.

There are five sorts of Aristolochies, the long, round sarmenti∣tious, saracenical, and Pistolochia or Polyrhizon; all which are so like in cauls, leafs and flowers, that none but such as are very per∣spicacious can difference and distinguish them.

They grow in many places in France about the margines of vineyards of fields, in fat and restible soyl: the long growes co∣piously on the Banks of Sequana.

Dioscorides acknowledges onely three sorts of Aristolochy, the

round, the long and the sarmentarious, the long he calls the mas∣culine; the round the foeminine; which some call Dactylis, he attributes eximious faculties to both; not onely against vene∣rate animals, but also for their potency in extracting the splin∣ters and fractures of bones and darts.

The round which nigreds the Confection of Hiera Pacchii, * 1.255 ca∣lefies and dryes potently, it is good against poysons, difficulty of breathing, sighings, and Spleen; it attracts such things as are left after childbearing; whence it is called Aristolochia; for removing the remora's it validly educes the Seconds, and moves Flowrs.

CHAP. LII. Of Asarum, or Asarabacca.

ASarum is by some called Vulgago; by others, Perpensa and Baccharis: but the Shopmen call it after the Greeks and La∣tines Afarum; its leafs are in colour and magnitude hederaceous, yet not acuminated, but somewhat rotund, constituting an imper∣fect circle; or as the Alchymists say, referring the signature of an ear, of which herb, when the Empirick Rivierius boasted, he was demanded by a learned Physician of Paris; whether or no the Leafs of Asarum were the best and most determinate cure for the diseases of the Auricles; whose ridiculous response demonstrated, that he neither knew the herb, nor the proper affections of the place; its flowers are small, lying under its leafs, like the flowers of Orenge coloured Henbane, but lesser, wherein a small, angu∣lous and sharp seed is contained; its roots are many, slender and gracile, obliquely diffused, and alternately implicated.

Its roots are hot and dry, as also its Leafs; * 1.256 but these more im∣becilly: they move urine and flowers, excite vomit, and expurge pituitous and crasse humours; they are very good against the ob∣structions and tumours of the Liver and Spleen; whence macera∣ted in wine, it is good against the Jaundice and Dropsie.

CHAP. LIII. Of Pimpinell, or Burnet.

PImpinel or Pampinell, * 1.257 which some enumerate amongst the Saxifrages, is twofold; the one Hortensian, which delights in sature and culture; the other Sylvestrian, which growes in Mea∣dowes and other incultivated places; both agree with Sax••frage, not onely in form, but faculties also; some call this plant Pepo∣nell; others, Bipennula; others, Sanguisorbe and Sanguinary; some give it the most composited name of Dionysio-nymphas; because con∣jected into Wine, it conciliates a certain grateful suavity in drink∣ing.

The Hortensian is most used; both or them have long leafs, ma∣ny congested together upon one pedicle, each whereof is subto∣tund, serrated, and somewhat hirsute; their cauls are cubitall, quadrangular, somewhat striated and ramous; our of whose summities erupt round capi••ls, compacted of little cleraceous leafs and flowers, which seem to dye sometimes before the rising of the flowers, and after theoccase of the fruits; wherein many angulous and dusky seeds are included.

Its root is long, hard, and uselesse.

It calefies and siccates in the beginning of the second recesse, * 1.258 it is very grateful to the principal parts, as the Heart, Liver, and such Intrals; it purifies the blood, purges the reins, ejects stones and sand, helps against the bitings of mad-dogs, and conduces in maligne and pestilent Feavers.

CHAP. LIV. Of Germander.

CHamadrys growes in petrous and rough places, it is a ful∣fruticious plant of nine inches heighth, whose leafs are like oak Leafs; whence it is called Chamaedrys, or small oak.

It is called Trissago, and sometimes Toucrium, but it hath small affinity with Teucrium. Dioscorides substitutes no Species to this plant; though the later Writers have found many which have much cognation therewith: for Fuchslus sayes there are two mas∣culine plants and as many foeminine of this name. Dodonaem saith, there are two reptile ones, and as many assurgent; the last whereof he onely calls the wild Chamaedrys, when indeed they are all wild.

It calefies and siccates in the second degree, liberates the in∣tralls from obstructions, educes flowers, and much profits its as∣sumers, as you may see in Dioscoriaes, C. 12. L. 3.

CHAP. LV. Of Ground Pine.

DIoscorides makes three varieties of true Ground Pines; D••∣donaeus addes three more of spurious ones; the first is called Ajuga or Abuga, from its odour.

It hath leafs like semper Vivum, but much smaller, fatter, hir∣sute and densely set about the boughes; with a tenuious flower of a whitish luteous colour; it is also called Arthriticall Ivy, because it conduces to the cure of the Gout: the second hath cu∣bitall, slender, crooked boughs, with candid flowers, and small black seed: the third is called masculine Ground Pine, which is small, with exile, whitish and hispid leafs, sharp caulicle, ••••∣teous

flowers and seed: all smell like the Pine, none of Musk, as s••me have thought.

Ground Pine is hot in the second, and dry in the third degree; * 1.259 it is apertive, helps against the Kings Evil and Strangury, moves flowers, helps against the bitings of Scorpions, roborates the nerves, and conduces to the cure of the Sciatica and other Gowts.

CHAP. LVI. Of Feaverfew.

WE said before that Feaverfew was not Mugwort, now we confesse, that it is a kind of Motherwort, but not stink∣ing Camomil, as I heard a skilful man once affirm. Feverfew, as Discorides asserts, hath leafs like Coriander, but smaller, variously incided, and jagged: the ambient of its flower is white, the mid∣dle luteous, like Camomile, its odour is venenate, its sapour amare, its root is scinded with many slender and hard fibres, and the whole plant is of a dilute colour, and known to all.

It is called the shops motherwort, because it cures such wo∣men as are obnoxious to the suffocation of the matrix, and other affections from that cause.

There are two sorts thereof, the one with a simple flower, * 1.260 which is the vulgar; the other with a full and manifold flower, which for its elegancy is sowen and cultivated in gardens; and unlesse it obtain fat soyl, degenerates into the simple one: there is ano∣ther brought from the Alpes, where it growes abundantly and spontaneously, which is called the Alpian Feverfew, which re∣sponds to the former in odour and form, but is lesse, alwayes bearing simple flowers congested on umbells.

It is hot in the third degree, dry in the second; it opens, * 1.261 in∣cides, expurges, and potently educes flowers, seconds and young ones, though dead.

CHAP. LVII. Of Hypericum, or St. Johns wort.

HYpericum commonly called Millefore, is a surculous Plant of a cubits altitude, with myrtle Leafs, but that they are thinner, softer, more flave, and perforated with innumerable pores: its flowers are luteous, consisting of five leafs shining with a golden nitour, after which small long Cods erupt, gravi∣dated with small seeds, which rubbed smell of Rosin.

Its root is hard, sulcated with many fibres and capillaments; its flowers and leafs bruifed, emit a certain sanguine humour; its flowers macerated in oyl, give it a sanguineous tincture.

It moves urine and flowers, cures wounds and Sciatica, con∣duces against the affections of the nerves; calefies, siccates, to∣borates the nerves, and is a good ingredient to vulneraries.

Many say that Ascyrum Androsaemum and Hypericum are one, but they are different plants, and of divers forms.

CHAP. LVIII. Of Androsaemum, or Peters-wort.

ANdrosaeme is so called, because its succe resembles mans blood; it is a fructiferous and ramous plant, its surcles are many, slender and red, its leafs broad, and mucronated like Ivy, but more tenuious and florid; which bruised, emit red succe like red wine; it hath many wings expanded on both fides of its summity: about which there are small luteous flowers; its seed is contained in small cups like Poppy seed, its hair contrited emits a resinous odour.

It growes spontaneously in many Woods of Northmany, and other incultivated places, whose leafs women collect and suc∣cessefully adhibite to pustuls, and almost all cutaneous affections: for they have experienced, that if it benefit not, it will not hurt any part whereunto it is admoved.

It calefies, * 1.262 siccates, agglutinates, stayes blood, cures burnings, helps against the Sciatica, cohibits wounds, adimpleats Ulcers with flesh, and cures them; two dragms of its seed brayed and taken, deduces the chollerick excrements of the belly by stools.

CHAP. LIX. Of Gith, or Nigella.

THere is no small difference betwixt Melanteria, and Melan∣thium; for Melanteria is a mineral like Mysius; but Melan∣thium or Gith is a Plant which they call Nigella, which assurges like a shrub, with slender boughs, leafs minutely incided like Coriander leafs, and candid flowers on the tops of its branches, many hairy tufts and stalks being interposed like green hair, whereunto quadrangular heads succeed, armed with prominent and reflected cornicles, distinguished with membranous covers, and gravidated with black angulous, acrimonious, and odorate seed.

There is another sort of sative Gith, which from the colour of its seed is called Orenge-coloured Gith; it is in all things like the former, but in its seed.

There are as many sorts of wild Gith, which grow amongst se∣getives, very like the satives; and another which is called Pseudo-Melanthium, and is enumerated amongst the caereals.

The first sort of Gith the Shopmen call Nigella Romana, though it be scarce at Rome, but plentiful in Germany.

It calefies and siccates potently, kills Worms, moves flowers, helps the orthopnoical, dissipates flatuosity, and benefits such as are affected with diseases in their Uterus.

CHAP. LX. Of Hyssope.

HYssop well known to all, is a fruticous plant, of a foots length, with leafs like Thyme, but longer, and broader; caeruleous flowers, whose branches are vested like Spike, with a long and lignous root.

And it is of two sorts; one montanous, which fruticates spon∣taneously in dry places; the other sative, which is for culinary uses nourished in Gardens; for it is grateful, and affects broth with a delectable sapour and sweet odour.

Both sorts are hot and dry in the third degree; but the dome∣stick, especially that which bears white flowers, is lesse hot and dry. Their faculties according to Dioscorides, Galen, and Mesue, are perstrictive, yet all confesse that they much help in diuturnal Coughs and distillations, and benefit the suspirious and ortho∣pnoical.

CHAP. LXI. Of Cranes-Bill.

DIoscorides makes but two sorts of Cranes-bill; * 1.263 Matthiolus three, borrowing the third from Pliny: Fuchsius, six; Do∣donaeus, eight, besides other two described by Fuchsius, which he doth but just mention.

The first emits very lanuginous surcles red from the root; leafs like Anemone, cut with many and long incisures, red flowers, af∣ter whose occase little heads emerge out of the summities of its branches, of the longitude of a needle, well representing the bill of a Stork, or Crane; whence later Writers one while call it Cranes bill, another while Storks bill, and another while Shep∣hards Needle.

The second hath small and pilous surcles, of half a foots lon∣gitude, with leafs like Mallowes, but whiter; purpureous flow∣ers on its summities, and with heads like Cranes bills: they mi∣stake, that call it Anemone.

The third hath pedal, geniculated, hoary, hispid and graveo∣lent surcles, with leafs like Chervil, red flowers and capitls ro∣strated like Storks.

The whole plant is red, whence it was of old called Rubel, now Rubertian, sometimes Robertian, or herb-Robert.

The fourth hath lacinated red leafs, purpureous flowers, and heads rostrated as the former.

The fifth is called Ranunculus, because it bears leafs like frogs; its flowers are patulous and subcaeruleous; its heads like the for∣mer: it is twofold; the one greater, whose flowers are caeruleous; the other lesser, whose flowers are red.

The sixth expands slender lanuginous branches, small and la∣ciniated leafs, purpureous flowers, to which the Stork bills suc∣ceed.

There is also a tuberous Storks bill; so called from its crasse, nodose and tuberous root; it luxuriates with many round surcles: leafs like Anemone, much lacinia red, red, patulous, fair flowers on the tops of its caulicles, like little Roses.

Besides these, others are by some enumerated as the montanous Storks bill, the Ladies Comb, the Doves foot, and another, which for its suaveolence is called sweet Storks bill, which growes co∣piously in many places in Normandy, especially in maritimous tracts; some call it the herb Camphorata, but they erre; for Cam∣phorata is of the family of Ground-pines: but I find Southern∣wood called Camphorata, by many, for it smells like Camphire.

For defect of Camphorata, suaveolent Storks bill may be substi∣tuted in the confection of the unguent Martiatum; if both be want∣ing, the first sort of Storks bill may be desumed.

All of them are indued with the same faculty, * 1.264 the Moscative is calefactive, nerval, and discussive: the Rupertian, detersive, and accommodate to Ulcers.

CHAP. LXII. Of Doronicum, or Leopards Bane.

THat which Mesue calls Doronici, Actuarius Carnabadium; and it is likely that which Paulus calls Memirem, and Matthiolus falsly Aconitum Padalianche, we call vulgar Roman Doronicum, whereof that Matthiolus might give his opinion, he experienced his upon a dogg, which by that means dyed. I, besides the autho∣rity of grave men, can oppose him by experience; for I gave a great quantity thereof to a dogg, which he eat up without harm: yea, it is daily usurped successeful in decoctions and cordiall Electuaries: besides, the famous Doctor, Conradus Gesnerus as∣serts, that he hath often assumed Doronicums root condited, and drunk two dragms of its powder in water; yea, that he had fre∣quently and successefully prescribed it either solitary or mixed with other medicaments to his patients.

And though we grant to Matthiolus, that Doronicum kills dogs, it does not thence follow, that it is lethall to men; for both are

not of the same nature, nor yet live of the same aliment: thus Aloes kills Foxes, not men: Nux vomica kills Cats and many Birds, which is to us a solutiferous medicament.

Doronicum then must not be disapproved of as poyson, since many commend it, if not for an aromatical, yet for an alexiterial simple. And therefore Mesueus uses it in the Electuary de Gem∣mis, because there is some theriacality in it, (Avicen. Tract. 2. de med. cord.)

Doronicum is a small plant, with slender cauls; soft and long leafs like Plantain, somewhat flave and hirsute like Mouse-ears, whose ambitient is rotund, somewhat laciniated, and a little acuminated: its roots are small, rotund, and orbicular, growing more angust towards their extreams like the body and tail of a Snake; their colour is white, sapour, dulcoamare, and some∣what astrictive: its flowers are luteous and radiate like Oxe eye.

Some make but three varieties of Doronicum, which seem sole∣ly to discrepate in magnitude. Clusius enumerates seven; amongst which, Damasonion, which most call Alisma, is comprehended: and Classicall Authors affirm, that the root of Damasonion may well be substituted for the root of common Doronicum, in the confection of the Electuary de gemmis, and other cordiall com∣pounds; for it is commended against poysons, whether ingested or inflicted by Dioscorides, (C. 69. L. 3.) whereby it seems more convenient for these concoctions then Doronicum, of whose fa∣culties some doubt; others speak little.

Now Damasonium is very Doronicum in effigies, bearing leafs like Plantain, but more angust, lacinious, and conveyed down∣wards, with a slender, simple caul of more then a cubits heighth, a pale flower, slender, acrimonious, and odorate roots, which are good against poysons.

Doronicum is hot and dry almost in the third degree, * 1.265 it discusses flatuosity, is good against palpitation, and conduces to such as are venenately and pestilentiously diseased, or bitten by Ser∣pents.

CHAP. LXIII. Of Cardus Benedictus.

ATractylis, which is a kind of bastard Saffron, is twofold, the one whereof hath a streight Caul, and is thence called recti∣caul; the other emits procumbent surcles, and is thence called Straticaul, and by a more usuall name Carduus Benedictus; it is a plant well known to all, its Cauls are round, obsequious, bra∣chiated and decumbent; its leafs laciniated on both sides and spi∣nose; the summities of its surcles emit little heads stipated with spinose and pungent leafs, whence it is called Acanacia; which

heads are lanuginous and turgid, with long dusky and bearded seed; the flower is pallid, its root which is small in respect of the numerosity of its branches and leafs, is white, and divided in∣to fibres.

Carduus Benedictus being exceedingly amare, * 1.266 calefies, roborates the heart and vital parts, moves sudour, resists poysons, conduces against pestilentious diseases, mitigates the dolours of the Reins and sides, kills Worms, and prevails against the bitings of Ser∣pents.

CHAP. LXIV. Of Cardiobotanum, or Cardiaca, or Motherwort.

MYrepsus in the confecture of his unguent Martiatum, puts Cardiobotanum; Nic. Praepositus, Carducellum; but what ei∣ther of them are, we cannot easily define. Many use white Cha∣maeleon for Carducellum; and Carduus Benedictus for Cardiobotanum: others use Cardiaca, or Agripalma; which we call Motherwort.

It is called Cardiaca, from its effect; for it is thought, that it conduces in heart affections: but it is strange, that so insuave an odour should laetificate the heart, which delights so much in sua∣veolents; Cardiaca, or Agripalma (for so it is often named) is a cubital plant, seldom lower, often taller, bearing quadrangular, hard, and crasse cauls, of a blackish red colour; its leafs are broad, obscurely green, like nettle leafs, laciniated and divided with deep incisures; its flowers small, purpureously white, ver∣ticulately circumcinging its furcles, and emerging out of its cau∣licles. It growes in incultivated, strong and rough places: some call it Melissa; others Syteritis Herculana.

It is hot and dry in the second degree, it absterges, expurges, kills belly-Worms, * 1.267 liberates from obstructions, helps in Convul∣sions, and cures the affections of the heart; yet its foetour portends it to be no whit cordial.

CHAP. LXV. Of Black Chamaeleon Thistle.

THere are almost innumerable varieties of Thistles, to whose family both the white and black Chamaeleon are referred; the white hath no caul, but from the midst of its broad, long pro∣cumbent leafs, emits a head covered with prickles; some take it for Carducellum: but the black, which the Romans call Vermilago, and Carduus Niger, assurges with crasser and higher Cauls; long and broad leafs, divided on each side with profund sections; out of its summities erupt certain round heads coacted into umbells, splendent with many little flowers; its root is crasse, black with∣out, flave within, and very acrimonious to the gust.

The Root of black Chamaeleon, * 1.268 participates of some malignant quality; insomuch that it is never intrinsecally assumed; but fre∣quently and safely extrinsecally adhibited, especially when mixed with other medicaments: for, its ferity is retunded by the con∣course of other simples, and it afterwards pollicitates a salutary effect upon some affections, as the Sciatica, and other infections of the skin.

CHAP. LXVI. Of Artichock, or Scolymus.

ARtichock, which the Greeks call Scolymus, is of trivial digno∣tion: whereof there are two special differences, the one simply so called, the other Spinose, and Spanish, which is a kind of Thistle; yea both indeed are depromed from that tribe, and by culture and Art have acquired a more specious form and gracious sapour.

The leafs of Artichoak are long, broad, laciniated on both sides with profund incisures, and of a cineritious colour, whence it may be, it was called Cinara; its surcles are bicubital, whose summi∣ties produce a kind of fruit with three triangular, crasse, hard, medullous leafs compacted like scales: this fruit cocted till it be soft, is most grateful meat, but it is not so inservient to venery, as many think; for it adds very little genital matter or flatulent spi∣rits, but much melancholical succe to the body: (Gal. l. 6. de alim. facul.) its flowers conglomerated on slender and innumerable stalks are caeruleously purpureous: which withering turn into down; small long seeds like them of Carduus remaining therein: Wild Scolymus is very like the spinous Artichock; the slender Cauls of Cinara or Artichock condited with Sugar are grateful to eat, and much celebrated in opsonies.

The juice of Artichock according to Galen is very prave, * 1.269 hot in the second degree, bilious and melancholical, moving urine; its root cocted and drunk in wine, takes away the graveolence of the whole body, depelling it through the bladder with urine.

CHAP. LXVII. Of Phu, or Valerian.

PHu, which some call wild Spikenard, and Pliny, Cretian Spike∣nard, is Valerian, by some called Marinella, whereof there are five sorts; the first is the male, the second the female, the third the small, the fourth the red, and the fifth the Graecian Valerian.

The first, whereof Dioscorides alone makes mention by knowledg, hath a cubital caul geniculated, concave, and articulated with tare intervals; its leafs are long, late, smooth, green, sinuated, very like wild Parsnip leafs, two whereof emerge out of each genicle

of its surcles: its flowers are fair, small, umbellically collected on the tops of its branches, purpureous and odorate; its root is of a digital spissitude, transversly sected with many fibres, and adhe∣rent to the surface of the Earth.

It is calefactive and alexiterial, * 1.270 whence some call it Theriacaria & herba Benedicta; it is mixed with Antidotes, and moves urine and flours.

The rest of the Valerians which are seldom or never used, are at large described in Herballs.

CHAP. LXVIII. Of Fumitory.

FUmitory is so called, because its succe immitted into the eyes cause tears like fume; It is an herb well known, growing ei∣ther in Gardens or Fields, it is very like Coriander, it emits many red, and sometimes white flowers, acuminated on one side like the crist of a little bird they call the combed Lark; there are two sorts thereof, the first is vulgar, fruticating among segetives, and in a prique places; the other, which growes most in Gardens, is bulbous, subcineritious, variegated sometimes with white, some∣times with luteous or otherwise coloured flowers.

All Fumitory is acrimonious and amare, * 1.271 it moves bilious urine, and cures the obstructions and imbecillity of the Liver.

Its juice stilled into ones eyes, wonderfully helps against cali∣ginosity, and acuates the sight.

The vulgar Fumitory is in frequent use, from which two Syrups are denominated; the one is the greater Syrup of Fumitory, the other the lesser.

CHAP. LXIX. Of Eyebright.

THis plant which is by some called Ophthalmica, and Ocular herb, is low, scarce exceeding a foot in heighth; it emits gracile and black Caulicles, from its slender and fibrous root, its leafs are small, and serrated like dwarfe elder, flowers white, maculated with minute points: it growes in macilent, dry, and incultivated places near high-wayes, and margins of fields, that are not umbrous: it flourishes about the beginning of Autumn, and should then be gathered and kept: or else its water distilled while it is fresh for their eyes, to which it very much conduces, and is thence by the Germans called Solamen oculorum: some call it Euphrosyne, because it exhilarates the mind; for which effect Bugglosse is sometimes so denominated.

It calefies gently, * 1.272 siccates potently, and helps the eyes admira∣bly; for when it is adhibited it takes away caliginosity, and oures all pituitous diseases therein; the wine wherein much Eye∣bright

is macerated at Vintage time, doth with much efficacy ad∣juvate the Eyes, and expugne their affections.

CHAP. LXX. Of the lesser Centory.

THere are two differences of Centories, the one greater, the other lesse, which are very dissident each from other in form and faculties; for the greater hath bicubital Cauls, long leafs, cohaering together, and crenated in the margin, with heads turbinated on the tops of its branches, obduced with herbaceous scales like Lacea, out of which stamineous, caeruleous, and elegant flowers erupt, which greater is not of any great moment in medi∣cine; though the ancients for its dignity have called it Ceutaurium, or Panax.

But the lesser Centory is frequently used, which from its potency in captivating and expugning Fevers, is often called Febrifugium, and sometimes from its amaritude Fel terrae, and sometimes Lim∣nision.

It is a small plant assurging with a pedal, angulous Caul, vested with small leafs like Hypericum, two at each interval, coronated with small purpureous flowers, which in the day-time are expli∣cated, in the night recluded; short Cods succeed these, wherein small grains are coarctated: it growes spontaneously in inculti∣vated, herbous, macilent and aprique places; it is found in some places with a luteous, in others with a white flower. I have seen one with purpureous leafs in the middle, in other parts with white ones.

The lesser Centory calefies potently, * 1.273 expurges and cures invete∣rate Ulcers, its decoction takes away the obstructions of the Liver, and helps against the induration of the milt; its succe in sod wine educes flours, and accelerates delivery; and emplasticated with honey, it takes away dimnesse and caliginosity from the Eyes.

CHAP. LXXI. Of Rhaponticum.

RHaponticum is not Rubarb, nor the greater Centory, as many deceived with their affinity have credited: for * 1.274 Rhaponticum, is a peregrine root, coming from the Regions beyond Bosphorus in Thracia, and Pontus in Euxinum; of the crassitude of the greater Radish, somewhat black and ruddy like the greater Centory, fra∣gile, of a dark red colour within, and of a ferrugineous, subamare, astrictive, and inodorate sapour, void of all acrimony.

There growes in many Gardens in France, especially in such as appertain to them that delight in rare simples, Rhaponticum that

so well agrees with the antique, that it seems to be the very same, That root is best which admits no Worms, and which in mandu∣cation becomes pliant and clammy, without much astriction, and colours the spittle palely red, and Croceous.

It cures the imbecillity of the stomack, * 1.275 is good against the lie∣nous, hepatical, coxendical and convulsive dolours, cures burst∣nesse, circuits of Feavers, and bitings of venenate animals; it is an useful ingredient, in Antidotes.

CHAP. LXXII. Of Meum, or Spignell.

MEu or Meum, * 1.276 is twofold; the one most laudable, which is found in Macedonia, and copiously in Athamanthe, whence they call it Athamanticum: the other more vulgar, which grows in many places in France and Italy, which Herbalists call some∣times the wild Dill; sometimes tortuous Fennel; both of them have small, angust, and capillaceous leafs, gracile and cubital surcles, out of whose summities umbells with candid flowers emerge, to which angulous, long, odorate and acrimoniously amare seeds succeed, greater then Cumin seed; its roots are very slender and odorate.

It calefies in the third, * 1.277 and siccates in the second degree, it in∣cides, attenuates, expurges, removes obstructions, moves urine and flours, discusses, the flatuosity of the stomack, takes away the stop∣ings of the Liver, and emends the vices of the reins.

CHAP. LXXIII. Of Anethum, or Dill.

BOth Medicks and women, make use of Anethum; the women in June, at which time it is coronated with flowers, and most fragrant, excerpe or cut it, dry it, keep it and recond it with their Linnen to conciliate a pleasant odour to them; but the Medicks use its seed also to many things, as we shall hereafter declare.

Now Anethum is of a bicubital procerity, with rotund and ge∣niculated surcles, leafs dissected small like capillaries, luteous flowers on its muscary; plain, small, foliated and pallid seed, and a hard fibrous root; it is sowen in Gardens, and annually revives from the deciduous seed; its odour is grave, and yet ju∣cund and sweet.

It calefies and siccates in the second degree, * 1.278 being introsumed it moves urine, allayes gripings and flatuosity, abates singulture, evokes milk and augments it, it incides, attenuates and cocts hu∣mours.

CHAP. LXXIIII. Of Macedonian Petroseline.

PEtroseline is either vulgar, frequent in our Gardens, which Physitians call Garden Smallage; and the vulgarity, Parsley: which as a gratefull Pot-herb is inservient to culinary uses; Or Macedonian, which is diversely depinged, by herbalists. For Lobelius contends that in caul, leafes, umbells, and seed it is ve∣ry like the vulgar or Garden Parsley, onely, it growes in Prae∣rupt and saxous places, whence it is called Petrapium and Petrose∣line: so that ours and the Garden is one; the wild and the Mace∣donian Parsley, the same also: yet Fuchsius saith it hath leafes like Pimpinella, and seeds like Ammi, Odorate, Acrmionious and Aromaolent. And this same description he received not onely by tradition from Dioscorides, but saw and experienced; for when he had committed the seed of Macedonian Petroseline to the Earth, he found the Plant, thence produced to beare leafes respon∣dent to Pimpinella, and seed conditionated as Dioscorides had de∣scribed.

It growes copiously in Macedonia, especially in rough and sax∣ous places.

It calefies and siccates notably, moves urine, educes flowers, * 1.279 eases the colicall dolour, mitigates gripings, cures the dolours of the sides, Reins, and Liver, discusses flatuosity, attenuates, incides and successefully ingredes the confecture of Antidotes.

CHAP. LXXV. Of Coriander.

THough Coriander be a tetrous and graveolent herb, yet is it sowen and cultivated in Gardens; for its grains by fricati∣on depose their ingratefull odour, and become suaveolent; its surcle is very slender, round, cubitall, and ramous; its leafes are at first like them of Adiantum, laciniated and variously inci∣ded, for the part next the caul, is lesse sected, the remoter, more; its flowers are white on large umbells; its seed made round, firme, somwhat striated, and inane, which at first is green, then luteously white, its root short, hard and fibrous; the odour of its leafes is putrid and tetrous.

It seed is commonly prepared with Vinegar, for the castigati∣on of some inique quality, but desiccation effects as much, so that it may thenceforth be desumed without further preparation.

Coriander is refrigerative according to Dioscorides and cures biles, pimples and inflammations, if taken in bread or pancakes. * 1.280 But Galen dissents from this tenent proveing it to be calid, and

not to help biles or the like, but onely small watry powks, for it calefies moderately, resiccates manifestly, and is somwhat a∣strictive.

CHAP. LXXVI. Of Capers.

THe Caper shrub growes spontaneously in many places, make∣ing much prouent in dry and desart fields without the help of the Ploughman; it is a senticous shrub, low, and hamated with many a dark Prickles, whose aculeated branches are orbi∣cularly spread on the ground, its leafes are circinated like them of Quince-Trees, out of whose wings erupt long pedicles, capi∣tulated with round umbells, which dehisteing expand white fl∣wers, whereunto long fruits full of Acinous seeds succeed.

These rudments of flowers, or small heads, while they are yet nodose and not explicate, are by Pharmacopolists evelled, con∣dited and brine; and kept for Capers, the lesser are better then the larger, this conditure makes them more suaue and whol-some both for medicinall uses and esure, the root of this shrub is also praescinded, its bark separated siccated and text; Capers afford but small Aliment to their assumers because of the tenuity of their parts, and are therefore rather subserivent to mediniall uses, yet they mutuate a certain savour pergratefull to the sto∣mack from this brine; that invites the ranseative to banquets and revotes the languishing appetite.

Caper both fruit and root is calefactive extersive and purgative, * 1.281 it incides and digests, roborates helpes and minuates the spleen, removes obstructions; and cures all diseases ariseing from the in∣sariture imbecillity of the spleen.

CHAP. LXVXII. Of upright holy suckles or Woodbind.

THis Plant the Romans call volucrum majus, somtimes Capri∣folium scribonius largus calls it Matrisglua, and some the Lilly among Thornes, it is a Surculons Lignous and Scansory shrub cir∣cumuoluring it self about the Vicine-Trees, and with its obse∣quious surcles, ascending their summities. Tis leafes which are posited at distance, and two together at each Genicle are long, smooth, sofi, of a whitish green colour, more white one the lo∣wer side, its flowers white and somtimes flave, long, fistulous, gapeing in their extremities, many congested together Garland wise, and suaveolent, out of whose middle come some lusts, its fruit somwhat red, round racemously cohaerem, wherein a hard seed is contained its root is crasse and lignous, and of no use in Pharmany.

It growes in Woods and Hedges, so straightly amplexing trees sometimes, that it leaves thereon the impression of its circum∣volutions.

Some of these Woodbinds in amplexing the vicine trees, take their rounds from the Orient to the Occident; others from the occident to the orient; and that at all times and in all pla∣ces.

It calefies and siccates evidently, diminishes the Spleen, con∣duces to the orthopnoical, moves urine, adimates singultion, accelerates delivery in birth, deleates the pimples of the face, * 1.282 and by long use causes sterility both in man and woman.

Xylosteron is very like this honey-suckle or woodbind, but that it needs no fulciments for its supporture; as this requires.

CHAP. LXXVIII. Of Broom.

THe very Maids know Broom, which they collect and colli∣gate for Beesoms; ours growes in incultivated and dry pla∣ces, and is wild; the Spanish Broom, which is our Garden Broom, is like the wild, but its branches, leafs; and flowers are larger.

The flowrs of the Spanish Broom, are more graveolent then its branches; the branches of the wild Broom more tetrous then its flowers.

There is a low kind of Broom which we call Genistella, whose caulicles are each way extended into membranous wings instead of leafs, which is neglected as uselesse in medicine: Broom flou∣rishes at the beginning of the spring, whose flowers not then per∣fectly explicated, are collected and condited with Vinegar and Salt, and kept for Winter-Acetaries like Capers.

It calefies and siccates to the second degree; its flowers are chiefly commended to the expediating of the infarctures of the Spleen and Liver; one dragme, or a dragme and a half of its feed brayed and drunk in three ounces of sweet water, * 1.283 moves and subduces the belly, opens the bladder, and cures Strangu∣ry.

CHAP. LXXIX. Of Savine.

THere are two sorts of Savine; the one bacciferous, the other devoid of all fruit; both lowe, like Juniper, and al∣wayes green; * 1.284 that which is not gravidated with Berries is more graveolent, rigid and rough with short pricles, its Come is al∣wayes green, its odour molestfull, and its fapour fervid and acrimonious: this is alwayes low, diffusing it self laterally, and

sometimes assurging on high, if its boughes which circumdate its Caul be praescinded.

The other is not so horrid, not aculeated with any prickles, ve∣ry like Tamarisk, not so graveolent as the former; it bears sub∣puniceous and resinous Berries: this delights not in frigid soyls, but grows copiously and spontaneously in hot places.

Besides the two former, Belonius saith, that in Crete and Mysia he saw another sort which was arboreous, in magnitude and manner of an Almond-tree, whom I had rather believe, then go so far to see the truth.

It is hot and dry in the third degree, * 1.285 it educes blood with urine, moves flowers, and taken in wine or adhibited, it excusses the young whether alive or dead.

CHAP. LXXX. Of Rosemary.

DIoscorides gives the name Libanotis to two very different Plants; * 1.286 the first he calls foecund & frugiferous Libanotis, or Rosemary, whose leafs are like Fennel, spread along the ground, and suaveolent, whose Caul is cubital, or higher, concave and capitulated with umbells, wherein is contained long and acri∣monious seed called Canchrys: Of this there are three varieties, one whereof is this described; the second is very like the for∣mer, onely its seed is more broad, not so mordacious, nor acri∣monious; the third bears neither flower nor seed.

The other sort is Coronary, much dissimilar to the former, for it is a lignous shrub, having many slender, long cauls, circum∣vested with angust and hard leafs, whitish below, and green above, coronated on each side, with caeruleously candescent flow∣ers; though its odour be grave, yet it is not ingrateful, but robo∣rates the brain and nerves; it is planted in every garden, growing spontaneously in the hotter Regions of France; it flourishes twice a year in Spring and Autumne.

It is calefactive, * 1.287 cures the Jaundice, if its decoction be drunk before exercise, and after exercise the diseased ingrede a bath and drink wine: it helps against the resolution of the Nerves, and stupour, and all diseases arising from the frigid humours in the brain.

CHAP. LXXXI. Of Agnus Castus, or White Willow.

THere growes a certain odorate shrub in hot Countreys about the brinks of Rivers, torrent Channels, and rough places, which they call Agnus Castus, or white Willow, with leafs like

Hemp, yet not serrated in their ambient, long, acuminated, and cohaering on one pedicle a piece; its boughs are long, lent, not fragile, its flowers are subpurpureous, verticulately circundating the summities of its surcles; its seed is rotund like Cardamome: it is called Agnus Castus, because its leafs and flowers strewed under one, conduces to their Chastity.

It calefies and siccates notably, validly discussing all flatuosity; * 1.288 it auxiliates in venenate bitings, and affections of the Spleen; it moves flowers, cohibits the motion of sperm, and allayes vene∣reous fancies in the night as well as Rue seed, for which cause the Athenian Matrons in their Feasts to Ceres, the better to custo∣me their Chastity, strewed their beds with its leafs.

CHAP. LXXXII. Of the Ash and Ashton Keyes.

THe Ash is a tall Tree, which the Greeks call Media and Milea, not onely used in the fabrication of ligneous vessels, but also accommodated to medicinary uses; whose bark, wood, and fruit, afford many commodious medicaments: it assurges with a very crasse and high Caul, involved in a slender and smooth bark, with long leafs consisting of many together, and adhering to one pedicle like Liquorice or Wallnut leafs.

Many Cods colligated together upon one pedicle, issue out of its slender boughes, without any praegession of conspicuous flowers which Cods resembling birds tongues, and their Medulla a lingel, are called Birds tongues; by the Greeks, Ornithoglossa.

The Ancients have noted such an Antipathy betwixt Serpents, and this Tree, that they had rather run into the fire, then creep upon its leafs and boughes, if they were circundated with both.

Its leafs and bark calefie moderately, and siccate efficaciously; * 1.289 and its seed which we call Ornithoglossum, is hot and dry in the second degree. Now if this Tree be so averse from Serpents, that its very shade abigates them, its leafs, succe, or other parts duly assumed or adhibited, must needs produce potent effects upon poysons; they are therefore useful for the curation of such af∣fections as participate of any maligne quality, and good ingre∣dients to Antidotes: its seed is much celebrated for exciting of venery, it cures the dolours of the Liver and Spleen, proceeding from a cold cause, if it be taken in wine.

CHAP. LXXXIII. Of Viscus Quercinus, or of Misselto of the Oak.

THere are three sorts of Misselto, one whereof is (as they say) Collalchrymated our of black Camelaeon Thistle, about the rising of the Dogge Starre, which according to Pliny; Scribonius, and Hesichius is venenate, and by them named Ixia; the second is Malacticall extracted from the berryes, to take and hold Birds, which is made of Holly-bark elixated; sepulted in mud, putrifyed, brayed and washed in water, till the bark be se∣parated, and the glew alone remain.

The third sort is, as it were, one Plant growing upon another, no part of the same; the earth brings it not forth, nor yet is it produced by sature, but fruticates and growes upon an aliene Plant, whose leafe-fades not, nor vigour failes: it growes not onely on one Tree, but many very dissimilar, as Oakes, Ap••••e-Trees whether domestick or wild, Willowes, Poplar and many more.

These very seldome exceed a cubit in heighth, but they extend themselves laterally, with many short, geniculated, ligneous and dilutely green boughs, with long, broad, striated and some∣what flave leafes; round, white and splended berries grow on their genicles; whereon Thrushes, Stock-Doves and the like, feed in Winter. They have no roots unlesse the fibres and boughs of the Viscigerous Trees be their roots. It is fabulous that this viscum will not grow, unlesse the seed, whereof they say it is produced, be intermitted through the belly of some Bird.

And it is as ridiculous that Athenaeus writes, If, saith he, a Stock-Dove eat the seed of this viscum, it will grow upon what ever tree she exonerates her belly, for it springs neither from seed nor dung, but from the sudour of that Tree whereon it growes, but that is best that growes on Oakes.

It calefies with some acritude and amarity; yet it is of that rank of simples which requires some time before it exerts its ca∣lefactive quality. * 1.290 After application it discusses, mollifyes, and at∣tracts; mixed with Waxe and Rosine it drawes lumps, impost∣humes, and other swellings to maturity, and is very good against the Epilepsy.

CHAP. LXXXIIII. Of Poplar.

THe Poplar Tree is threefold, Sone is white, the second black, the third Lybian or tremulous, this last sort growes equally in dry and humid places; the other two are onely delighted with

wet soyles: the first sort hath a crasse, tall Caul, vested with a smooth white bark, its leafs are broad, incided, angulous, tre∣mulous, like tussilage, smooth and green above, lanuginous and white beneath, adhering to a long pedicle.

The black Poplar doth sooner erect it self on high, with a crasse, smooth and white Caul; a round, long, hederaccous leaf appended on a long small pedicle; it emits long down, and a kind of a Cluster, whereon some grains like round Pepper adhaere, which drawing to maturity, fall off before they de∣hisoe.

The first buds this tree emits, which are the rudiments of fu∣ture leafs, are long and acute, full of some fat, oleous, and resi∣nous matter, which is subflave, and adheres to the fingers of the Tangents. Apothecaries call them oculus populi, which excerpe in the beginning of the Spring, bruise, and recond in a figuline vessel with swines grease till June, for the confecture of the poplar Unguent: Bees collect a kind of Lachryma of its leafs, where∣with they make their propoly.

The Lybian tremulous or mountain Poplar, varies little from the black in superficies, but its leafs are harder, lesser, more pro∣foundly serrated and adherent to a longer pedicle; and therefore more obvious to motion by the wind, which by their collision make a noise; some think this is Ceris, but that seems by Theo∣phrastus his description to be the same that we call Judas-tree.

Black Poplar Gemmes or eyes, are onely usurped for Pharmacy, * 1.291 and they are calefactive and siccative, by the tenuity of their parts inciding and mollifying: their Leafs participate of the same faculties, but in a more imbecill degree, brayed and illi∣ted with vinegar, they cure the podagrical dolour.

Whether Poplars lachrymate into the river Padus, there ma∣king Amber by their coition, as Dioscorides and many of his fol∣lowers believe, we shall hereafter determine it.

SECT. V. Of Refrigerative Simples.

THe best Medicaments do not grow in every Region, but some in Hat, and others in cold: here Corn, and there Grapes; those Regions which look towards the Meridian, and the Aestu∣ous Aspect of thy Heaven do bear Hot Simples: But these that are towards the North, Cold. And whilest those Physitians that inhabit Forraign Climates, &c. Asia and Africa, do Investigate or find 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Vertues of their Simples for their healths and safety; Let us view our Field of Plants which they want, which indeed are endowed with most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ertues. How many Simples have we, which will not grow in Egypt, or China, or in any other place under the Pole-ant∣artick; Europe, besides those Calefactories, wherewith it is Luxuriant, pr••d••ces many 〈…〉〈…〉. Amongst which, we shall onely handle 〈…〉〈…〉 are mentioned in the Compositions in our Shop.

CHAP. I. Of Mandrake.

I Hitherto thought that all that I heard of Mandrakes were no more then old Wifes fables, yet I now find that these figments have been depromed from the writings of some of the ancients, who being too credulous have committed to presse what the im∣perite somniated: for some of the Greeks named this root Circea because they Judged it some Philthrum conducing to love-mat∣ters. Phythagoras called it Anthropomorphon because it in some wise represented mans Trunk and Members, and because its roots were frequently geminell, resembling two Leggs, and two Buttocks; in allusion to which name the septentrionall idiome calls it Man∣dragora, Man denoting a man, and Draghen in that Language mans form: but all these are fabulous and fictitious, whereby running circulatours deceive the incautious, circumducing a bi∣sidous root, whereon they have insculpted a humane shape and discriminated members. Of which root they tell admirable and incredible storyes, that they may extort money from idiots.

Some call it the dogs Apple-Tree, others the earths Apple-Tree, because it bears round luteous Apples like the yolks of hard eggs which are odorate, but venenate withall.

There are two sorrs thereof, the one masculine or white, which the Greeks call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, some Arsen, and others Hypoplomon; with great leafes like Bett, large and smooth.

The other faeminine or black, which emitts more angust leafes like Lettice but lesser, somwhat hirsute and procumbent; it beares Apples like the masculine, but lesser and lutrously pallescent: it hath often two or three roots, mutually convolved and intorted, which are black without, white within, carnose, long and crasse.

Mandrake is very impatient of solar heat, it fruticates best in umbrous and aprique places; whence many learned authours think its derive its nomenclature, because it delights in Man∣dris, that is, in Caves and Dens.

In Dioscorides his time the succe of Mandrake was collected, which concreted by insolation was of much use, now we onely use its Roots and Leafes, and them very seldome, and onely in such affections as contemne more gentle stupefactives.

An oyle may be extracted out of its Apples by infusion, as we have shewed in our officine; which prudently adhibited will take away any dolour and conciliate sleepe.

Mandrake is seldome assumed at the mouth; but some other soporiferous medicament, duely castigated, which would with∣out danger consopite the senses, should be given in its stead to such as would be burned or cutt in any part without sense of do∣lour: for Mandrake is not onely impensely cold, * 1.292 but also narcoti∣call, and therefore cannot be safely used without great care and prudence, for Aetius enumerates it amongst poysons, (C. 45. Lib. 4 Serm. 1).

There is a Plant that hath some cognation with Mandrake which beares Apples of a caeruleous purple colour, about the magnitude of an egge, which some call insane Apples, others Melongena, and some love-Apples, they grow on a pedall sur∣cle, amicted on both sides with leafes like Night-shade, from whose middle upwards, white flowers emerge, whereunto these Apples succeed which are carnose, succulent, and praegnant with small graines; some use them in acetaryes, not without danger to their sanity.

CHAP. II. Of Nightshade.

THere are many varieties of Nightshade, * 1.293 the first according to Dioscorides is sative and domestick, which Theophrastus re∣poses amongst Pot-herbs; but now it is neither eaten nor so∣wen, but growes and germinates spontaneously, against the Gard∣ners will; it beares black-berryes, * 1.294 whence the french call it Mo∣rella, the shopmen Solatrum, and the Greeks Strychion.

It is a pedall and racemous Plant, with leafes like oxymum, but greater; black berryes, racemously coherent, which at first are green, after maturity, black; purpureous and elegant flo∣wers praecede these, out of whose middle erupts a luteous and specious tufr

It is exceedingly refrigerative, and therefore cures the Wild∣fire and Head-aches from a hot cause; it helpes a hot Stomack its berries are accessary to the unguent of Diapompholigos; its stillatious liquor cures the inflammation of the eyes and ardour of other parts, and being stupefactive conciliates sleep.

There is another dormitory Nightshade which is exceedingly soporiferous, it is a ramous Plant, with hard fruit, many large leafes, somwhat hirsute, and effigiated like them of Quince-Trees its root is red without, and whitish when it is dry; its flower is large somwhat red, and of an ingratefull aspect, out of whose ca∣vity, a round fruit, about the magnitude of a Cherry emerges, which presently kills its introsumers; it is more soporiferous then opium it self; it fruticates in many wild and incultivated places, especially in banks not farre distant from the sea, whence botanicks call it marine Nightshade; shopmen, Solatrum.

The third sort is the furious and lethall Nightshade, which some call Thryoron, others Perisson; it beares leafes like Rocket, but greater, acceding near them of Beares-foot; its caules are many, tall, and specious; its flowers, blackish: whereunto racemous, black, round fruits praegnant with ten or twelve stones succeed: it is thought to be the same that many call Daryon or Dorcynion. Some think there is no difference betwixt Nightshade that is onely somniferous, and that, that is lethall; but perite Herbalists find much of discrimination.

The fourth sort is arboreous and ligneous, called by some Dulca∣mare, which Vine-like climbs up shrubs and hedges, with leafes and surcles like Smilax, but harder and blacker; with purpure∣ous, violaceous and inverted flowers; out of whose middle a lu∣teous tuft emerges, to which small succulent and venenate ber∣ryes succeed.

Another Plant which some call Uva Lupina, others Aconitum, Pardalianches, and others the herb Paris, which Gesnerus calls Monococcorn, and Pena stinking Nightshade, is by the common suffrage of many writers justly referred to the number of Night∣shade, none whereof are at any time used by medicks save the Garden Nightshade, and that but seldome; for that is an ill me∣dicine which threatens more of danger then cure.

There is yet another Plant which by its effigy and virtue challenges affinity with the Nightshades, some call it Stramonium or better Strychmonium, some Lycopersium, others Metel, and o∣thers Hyoscyamus, Peruvianus, and Baryococcalon; whereof there are two sorts; the one greater, which in procerity exceeds a mans heighth; the other lesser, which is bicubitall, both of them alike in effigies, both bearing great, white flowers like Smilax, crasse spinous and echinated apples; the lesser beares rotund ones, the great acuminated, whose leafes and all other parts are greater then the other.

There is yet another Plant which hath cognation with the Nightshades; which some call pomiferous Nightshade, * 1.295 some Lycopersicum, for it beares Apples of an aureous croceous colour, which Herbalists call the wonderfull and the golden Apples; some would reduce Pliny's Ammonum to Nightshade; but the disparity of their effigies and natures, evidences the contrary.

CHAP. III. Of Alkekengi, or Winter-Cherryes.

THe second sort of Nightshade, is Dioscorides his Halicacabus, which Apothecaryes, following the Mauritanian word, call Alkekangi; whereof we treat distinctly, * 1.296 because of its excellent uses. It is from the figure of its graines, which invested in a certain membraneous involucre resemble a bladder, called the vesicary Nightshade: it growes, and fruticates plenteously in squalid places as amongst Vines, emitting cubitall, slender, round subrubrous and geniculated caulicles; its leafes are like Nightshade, but something greater; its flowers are somwhat white, to which husks like bladders succeed, which at first are green, afterwards Phaeniceous; in whose continent, round grains of the magnitude effigies and colour of Cherryes are included: which grains are carnous and turgid with plain, round and whitish seeds.

These fruits are well known to very boyes who call them Winter-Cherryes, who eat frequently, * 1.297 and innoxiously a great quantity thereof: they wonderfully conduce to the motion and protrusion of urine and sand out of the reines and bladder.

CHAP. IIII. Of Henbane.

HEnbane is by some called Herba suilla, because Swine eating thereof are in a manner convelled; others call it Altercum and Apollo his hearb, because such as are madded with Henbane, tor∣ment themselves with brawling and altercations, as if they were excited by Phaebus his fury. Matthiolus saw some boyes, who by eating Henbane seed were so desipient, that many thought they were deluded by the Devil.

There are three sorts of Henbane, the black, the white and the luteous, the black hath long hirsute and broad leafes like long∣wort, laciniated like beares-foot; cubitall, crasse, brachiated and ramous caules, out of whose middle pallescent flowers doe erupt; to which certa in ventricose, long, round, and supernally aculeated cups do succeed, like small boxes or scales, dissepted with little fences, wherein small dusky and obscure seed is con∣tained, its root is white, crasse, easily eradicable, vivacious for a

yeares space, very usefull and anodynous, not so foetid as its leafes.

The two other sorts of Henbane are rare, no where to be found save in Gardens; which are also as rarely used in medicine, whereas the usurpation of the black is quotidian: all of them re∣frigerate in the third degree, and all of them are narcoticall, but the white neither refrigerates nor stupefies so much as the other.

CHAP. V. Of Poppy.

THere are two generall kinds of Poppy, the one Hortensian, the other Sylvestrian, there are many varietyes of the Hortensian desumed from the various colour, density and figure of their fle∣wers, thus one is simple, another multiflorous, then both either white, or purpureous, or red: the sylvestrian also is variously dis∣criminated, as the red the black, the spumous and the corniculated wild Poppy which is fourfold; one common and luteous, another violaceous, and other two Phaeniceous.

The sative Poppy erects it selfe upon bicubitall surcles, * 1.298 with long and pallid leafes circually ferrated, and adhaerent to no pe∣dicle, with either white or red flowers according to the variety of the Plant, with rotund and long heads: in whose cells black seed is contained, if the Plant be black; white, if it be white.

The erraticall or red Poppy is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or fluid, * 1.299 because its flower is so deciduous; its leafes are incided and sharpe like Rocket leafes, its flower red, and seed yellow, it growes in fields amongst segetives.

The spumeous was unknown to Matthiolus; * 1.300 the later writers take it for hedge Hyssop, and some for Sopewort.

The corniculated Poppy hath subalbid leafs, * 1.301 serrated about like the red Poppy, luteous flowers, a small fruit, or cod, inflected like a horn, like the cornicle of fennigreek.

The multiflorous, fimbriated, patulous, and roseous Poppyes of va∣rious colours are studiously sown in cultivated and fat Gardens for the elegancy of their flowers.

All of them are indued with a refrigerative faculty, the red most, so that none can use that alone, as they may do the sative, all of them also participate of an hypnoticall quality, but the black most, which is infested also with some malignant quality, so that he that uses it immoderately will become lethargicall.

Poppy vulnerated will emit a certain gummeous liquor, which the Ancients named 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which opium stupifies the senses, conciliates sleep, and appeases the immanity of any dolour, or at least deludes it, whereof such as followed the Tur∣kish tents made use; that they might be more chearfull to battel, and like drunken men praecipitate themselves upon perills.

It is not yet determined amongst medicks in what degree, * 1.302 Opium participates of the first qualities; for whereas excellent writers assent that it is cold above the third degree, its very amaritude and acrimony, wherewith it disturbs and vellicates the senses gustative, demonstrates the contrary, which detorted from others the confession of its calidity.

CHAP. VI. Of Sempervives or House-leeks.

THe vulgarity call it Sedum Lombarda, the Greeks Aizoon, * 1.303 the Romans Sempervivum, because it is alwayes green, with eternall leafes, most patient of cold, which withers not with the greatest Rigidity that Winter tempests bring upon the Earth.

It growes in dry places exposed to the Sun, as on Walls, and the tops of your Cottages, with crasse carnose and mucronated leafes like Artichock, succulent and green, denser near the root with a pedall caul, vested to the top with leafes disposed like scales, when it is divided into wings, and coronated with green and subrubeous flowers.

There are many varieties of Sempervives, all which I reduce to three generall heads, the greater, the lesser, and the middle sort; if we have any respect to the name and effigies of the greater, we may referre the hearb Aloes thereunto, whose condition chal∣lenges cognation with this family; to the middle sort we may re∣ferr Crassula or the Greeks Telephion, which Apothecaryes call the inverted Bean, and the vulgarity Orpine; as also the militar Aizoides and the water-leeke: for both of them are pervivacious, perpetually green, and relate very much to Houseleek: and this is the middle betwixt the greater sempervive, and all the other which we shall now describe; and this Sedum, Aizoon is rather the medium then any other hortensian teretifolious esculent, which is mixed in Acetaryes, some call it little-leeke, others mid∣dle-leeke, the vulgarity Triquemadame: from a small root it emitts many gracile branches, onusted with small, long, round, carnose, and mucronated leafes, and luteous and stellated flowers.

There are very many lesser Sempervives, the least whereof the Greeks call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the vulgarity Birds-bread, which ma∣ny constitute the third sort of Small-leeke: it is a small and plea∣sant Plant, reptant with many branches, aureous and stellated flowers, it delights in walls, and saxous places; it is very hot to the gust, and exulcerative, whence the Germans call it Wall-Pepper.

The second sort of the lesser Aizoon, is by some called the lesser Crassula, by the Italians Granellosa; by Apothecaryes stone Crop and sometimes Wall-tayle; it is a small Plant, with round, long carnose leafes, mucronated like little Wormes; all depending on

exile and short branches, with pallid and sometimes white flow∣ers which ingrede the composition of the martiate unguent, these two lesser Sempervives calefy and exulcerate notably.

The third sort is a greater sort of Houseleeke called summer-Leeke, which assurges with greater surcles, round and carnose leafes like Stone-Crop, but greater; it flourishes no where perpe∣tually but withers at the beginning of Winter.

Many other Plants which are perpetually folious and virid, do in effigies and faculties challenge cognation with Sempervives, and may justly be referred to their family as Aizoon Hematoides, Aizoon Scorpioides, a kind of Petrous, Montanous, and small House-leeke, another great and arboreous one, and another assurg∣ing like a shrub with small and rigid surcles.

The greater Sempervive refrigerates in the third degree, and is thence adapted to the cure of St. Anthonyes fire pimples and inflam∣mations, some of the lesser refrigerate in a lesser degree, others efficaciously calefye and exulcerate, as Stone-Cropp, and so all Pepper.

CHAP. VII. Of Cynoglosse, or Doggs-tongue.

CYnoglosse hath molliceous, lent, & long leafes, it is somewhat lanuginous, but not sharpe to the tact, caeruleously green, in effigies and softnesse aemulateing a Doggs-tongue.

Its surcles are round, hoary, divided into wings, and cubitall, coronated with puniceous and purpureous flowers; four small, cohaerent seeds which cleave to mens cloaths like burres succeed each flower; its root is crasse, in magnitude and colour like Wallwort, in odour almost soporiferous, whose use is celebra∣ted in sharpe and thin fluxes, for it incrassates much, and refri∣gerates manifestly; * 1.304 whence women adhibite it to burnings: it is cold and dry in the second degree, indued with a cohibiting and incrassating faculty; and therefore it is the basis of those pills which bear its denomination, and are effectually prae∣scribed to all diseases which arise from the fluidity of humours.

CHAP. VIII. Of Plantain.

PLantain is either aquaticall whereof there are three sorts, seldome or never used in Pharmacy; or terrestriall, whose usur∣pation in defending sanity, * 1.305 and profligating diseases is frequent, whereof Dioscorides constitutes two differences, the greater and the lesser; the greater comprehends three varieties, the vulgar, the hoary, and the roseous Plantain.

The vulgar hath crasse, broad, and very green leafes like Bete; its caul is angulous, sometimes cubitall, somtimes shorter, spi∣cated at the top and praegnant with small and copious seed, it growes in moist and lacunous places, and about high-way-sides.

The Roseous Plantain is so called, because it beares an herbid and patulous umbell compacted of many leafes, cohaerent like a rose, it is in other things very like the former.

The lesser Plantain hath more angust, smaller, softer and more tenuious leafes, its caulicle is angulous, declined downwards; its flowers pallid, seeds small, which grow upon the summityes of its surcles, the Apothecaryes call it Lanceolate, and lanceole be∣cause its leafes are acuminated lance-wise, from its five distinct fibres or nerves, which it hath in its sulcated leafes, it is some∣times called Quinquenerve; and Septinerve, when besides its five greater, two lesser nerves emike in its leafes; some have deprav∣ed it of quinq nerve, and made it centinerve; others call it Arno∣glosse because its leafes resemble a Lambs tongue, but such as beare rounder and lanuginous leafes are more specially designed with that name.

Plantain is cold and dry in the second degree, it astringes, con∣densates, cohibites, absterges, and thence conduces to the cure of pimples, St. Anthonyes fire, * 1.306 inflammations and all sanguine eruptions; it stayes fluxes, cutes the dysentery and all belly fluxes, exarceats putretude, and roborates all parts.

CHAP. IX. Of Knot-grasse or Polygonum.

CEntinode or Knot-grasse is so called from the frequency of its knotts, Seminall or Polygonum, from the multitude of its seed, it is somtimes called Corrigiola, sometimes sanguinary from staying blood, and somtimes Proserpinaca, or rather Serpinaca from its reptility; it is a low reptant hearb, with exile, copious, nodose and geniculated branches; leafes like Rue, but longer and softer under which much small seed lyes with praevious and rubeously pallid flowers, it growes spontaneously in incultivated soyles and pathes, it dyes not by calcitration.

The masculine Polygonum is refrigerative, astrictive, and spissa∣tive, and thence it is praevalent against pimples, St. Authonyes fire, * 1.307 and all inflammations.

Its succe imbibed by the mouth, allayes all red or bloody flou∣ors and excrements; and stayes the impense flux of the belly.

It is also good against the ardour of the stomack, and the bitings of venenate animalls.

The other sort of Polygonum or faeminine centinode assurges on one caule like a slender reed, or rather the herb horse-tayle, with

dense genicles, which are orbicularly circumvested with slender leafes like them of itch-Tree; it growes in watry places.

There is also a marine Knot-grasse, neither known nor used by medicks; some, deceived with the affinity of the words, take Polygo∣num for Poligonatum, and on the contrary; but they are very dissimi∣lar in form; for Poligonatum, or Solomons Seale, is a cubitall Plant with a rigid and crooked caule; a crasse nodose root.

CHAP. X. Of Comfrey.

THere are three greater Comfryes, * 1.308 the first is Alam or the vul∣gar, which they call great Comfrey; the second, the Tuberous; the third the Maculous: there be also three middle ones, the Pe∣traean, the Bugulous, and Prunella, but many small ones, as all the Bellides which the vnlgarity calls Margarits, whereof there are many varietyes, which are rather coronary then Medicinall.

The greater Comfrey, which from the similitude of its leafes is called Asses eare, hath a cubitall caule, ample, long, broad crasse and hispid leafes like Buglosse, but broader, more obscure and mucronated; out of the wings of its surcles erupt productions of Leafes, wherein white pallid or subrubeous flowers grow, which are disposed in an elegant order, whereunto black seeds like them of petty Mullein do succeed; its root is glutinous, black without, white within, whereof there is frequent use in Pharmacy.

Comfrey refrigerates, * 1.309 contracts, astringes, and condenses, cohi∣bits St. Anthonyes fire, cures broken bones; stayes the flux of blood, eases the dysentery; and is so efficacious in consolidating wounds, that if it be cocted with flesh, it conglutinates its parts together.

The maculated Comfrey which most call Pulmonary or Lung-wort hath branches, leafes, and flowers like the praecedent, onely its leafes are shorter, and maculated with white spots, it growes in wooddy, opaque, and umbrous places, and it is thought good a∣gainst the vices of the Lungs.

The Petraean Comfrey which is so called because it growes in Pe∣trous and stony places, erects it selfe with small and slender branches like Origanum; with small Leafes, heads like Thyme; and a ruddy, long, and crasse root, some think that this Sympythum is Bugle, but being lignous and odorated and capitulated like thyme, it differs much from Bugle.

Bugle is a certain middle kind of Sympythum; of which the past age knew, and praedicated many and admirable things: the vulgarity yet perswading themselves, that they need neither Medick, nor Chirurgeon that have bugle, which they thence call Sanikle; its leafes are crasse, long, small, mucronated, incided a∣bout, and subrubrous, its caules quadrangular, and somewhat

hirsute; its flowers caeruleous, and many even from the middle of the surcles upwards: some call it Morandola; some, Lauren∣tina; and others, the middle Comfrey: it is a vulnerary, and is much commended to disrupted, broken, bruised and convelled members.

Brunella or Brunella, which some adde to the Tribe of Com∣freys, is a low plant, with slender, quadrangular, hirsute and decumbent surcles; broad, mucronated, but short, somewhat hispid, obscurely virid, viscid and fat leaves; caeruleously pur∣pureous flowers, erupting out of the summities of its surcles, in ears like Betony flowers, it is good for the same, that Bugle polli∣citates; it deleates the blacknesse of the tongue contracted by Feavers, if the mouth be washed with its decoction.

CHAP. XI. Of Sorrell.

DIoscorides enumerates Sorrell amongst the sorts of Lapathum, not because their sapour seems to be similar, which is in La∣pathum somewhat sweet or rather insipid, and in Sorrel acid, whence it is called Oxalis; but because its leafs are mucronated like them of Lapathum.

Sorrel is sufficiently known to all; and it is of two sorts, * 1.310 the one wild, which is least, and most acid; growing copiously in sabulous, macilent, and segetary places; which the Hollanders call Acetosa vervecina; other, Vineta.

The other is greater, which delights in humid places, as in Meadowes, and many Gardens, whereof there are two varieties, one alwayes hortensian and reptant, very dissimilar to the rest in effigies; for its leafs are round, and its colour subcineritiously virid; its sapour indeed is acid like the rest, but more grateful to the palate: the other is well known, which is understood al∣wayes when Sorrel is put absolutely; this is from its great and sacred effects called sometimes sacred or holy grasse.

Oxalis brings to my mind the herb Oxytriphilum, or sower tri∣foile, which the vulgarity calls Cuckow-bread; the Apothecaries, Alleluga; & Fracastorius, Lugula: it is a low plant growing in the beginning of the Spring in sylvous places, with slender and short Caulicles, on whose summities three, tenuious, virid, acid, and grateful leafs do inside; its flowers consisting of white leafs coherent, do depend on short pedicles; this little herb recreates the heart, exarceates putretude, and refrigerates; its water di∣stilled helps in continual and pestilent Feavers.

CHAP. XII. Of Oxylapathum, or Sowerdock.

LEst confusion should bring obscurity upon the dignotion of these Simples, I shall constitute the difference betwixt La∣pathum, and Hippolapathum, Hydrolapathum, Oxylapathum, and san∣guineous Lapathum. Lapathum simply so called, is a pot-herb, expetible for culinary matters, which the Cooks call Patience; the Herbalists, Parella.

Hippolapathum is either latifolious, or rotundifolious; both cul∣tivated, and called Monks Rhabarb, and sometimes Pseudo-Rha∣barbe.

Hydrolapathum is twofold, great and small, both like the pre∣cedent, which grow onely in fenny and watry places.

Oxylapathum growes copiously in incultivated places, with a long and crasse root, flave within, and croceous without; a bi∣cubitall and brachiated surcle; green and broad seed, depend∣ing on very minute pedicles and involved in thin membranes of a yellow colour.

Some call Sanguineous or maculated Lapathum very inconside∣rately Dragons blood, as we shall shew in its place.

Sorrel is a kind of Lapathum, as also that hearb, which some, upon what grounds I know not, call slow Henry, which I think is a spinaceous wild Pot-hearb.

CHAP. XIII. Of Hepatica, Hepatorium, and Eupatorium, or Agrimony.

PErite Herbalists doe thus distinguish of Hepatica, Hepatorium, and Eupatorium. Hepatica, is liver-wort; Hepatorium, is the vulgar Eupatorium; and the true Eupatorium, is Agrimony: these three, being accommodated to the roboration and cure of the Li∣ver, are frequently and rightly called Eupatoryes.

Hepatica is often called Lichen either because it is the best reme∣dy against Ring Wormes, * 1.311 or else because it lickes stones, its leafe is succulent and craffe adhaering to a moist and umbrous Rock, under which little caulicles in forme of pedicles emitt stellated heads, it is abstersive, refrigerative.

Hepatorium doth from its root which is of a moderate magni∣tude exert bicubitall and ramous surcles, * 1.312 circumvested with long Canhabine leafes, serrated about; with small, muscous and rud∣dy flowers, which having coronated its fair umbell, wither and turne into pappe or down.

Eupatorium or Agrimony, is a fruticous plant very like Wild∣tansey, but that its leaves are more virid, divided into more parts,

and more serrated and hirsute; its caule is slender, streight, cu∣bitall and pilous; out of severall parts whereof small luteous flo∣wers emerge, whereunto small seeds sharpe on one side, where∣by they adheaere to wollen cloaths, do succeed. Agrimony, was called Eupatorium from Eupator its inventer, it attenuates, ex∣purges, and peculiarly helpes the Liver and other bowells.

Mesue (which I would not omitt) usurpes another hearb which is cubitall and very amare, with leafes like the lesser Centory, sharpe and serrated about, for Eupatorium; we call that Hearb the Hearb Julia, the Greeks call it Ageratum.

CHAP. XIIII. Of Primerose.

THe various denominations of this vulgar hearb have obscu∣red its dignotion; for I find it called, Primiveria, Primerose, St. Peters hearb, the Paraliticall and Arthriticall hearb, Phlomis; Brachula Caculi, Tusculane violer, white Betony, and petty Mul∣lein, but let the inane investigation of the nomenclature be omit∣ted seeing the thing it self is perspicuous. It is called primula ve∣ris, or Primerose, because it flourishs and germinates as soon as the very spring approaches: there are three generall differences thereof, the hortensian, pratensian, and nemorall; the hortensi∣an or garden Primerose is either simple, or multiflorous, both their flowers are either green or luteously pallid; they that grow in Meadowes and Woods are alike as to leafes, dissimilar in flowers, for the pratensian flowers are croceous, small, and almost inodo∣rate, the nemoralls pallid more patulous and odorate.

Primerose is multifolious, whose leafes are rugose like Betony, but longer broader and more pallid, out of whose centre arise long and slender pillars, in whose summities three foure or five subluteous and pensile flowers whose extremities are denticula∣ted, do dehisce, somtimes one only flower growes upon an exile pedicle.

I have noted six varietyes differenced by the colour of their flo∣wers, for some are herbaceous green and elegant, others white and vetust; some red; others aureous, and others subflave; be∣sides some are onely coronated with a simple flower, * 1.313 others are so prolifically multiflorous, that one flower seems to grow out of a∣nother, that which produces a simple and luteous flower, growes copiously and spontaneously, in many places in the lower Neu∣stria, especially in the Vallonian field, where many rare Plants make their provent.

It helpes much in paralyticall and arthriticall dolours. * 1.314

The decoction of its root will expediate from the infarctures of the Reines, protrude Sand, and expell the stones of the bladder.

CHAP. XV. Of Cabbage or Garden Colewort.

CAbbage which the Greeks call Crambe; is so vulgar that it were supervacaneous with much labour to prosecute its designation; seeing it is sowen, planted, and cultivated in every Nation and place for esure: yet all its kinds do not flourish in every Region, but some require this, others that soyle, whence some are called Sabaudae, because they delight most in that Tract, which are patulous, not occluse, green without, and white with∣in; others marine, because they grow spontaneously in mariti∣mous soyles; others Cauliflowers, and Italian Cabbages, which grow onely in Italy, or spring from Italian seed; others vulgar which fruticate plenteously in all places; others Caulorape, which are turbinated from the middle of the caule upwards, and Bulbous.

Furthermore many varieties may be desumed from the con∣glomeration, incisure, plainenesse, laevity, asperity, whitenesse, viridity, rubeding, and obscurity of their leafes; as also from their crisped, racemous, laciniated or sessile heads, which are rather for looks then Apothecaryes, except the Sea Cabbage which is altogether medicamentall.

Cabbage generates crasse and melancholicall succe, * 1.315 and is thought to inebriate the head, whence the Germanes do so much desire it; the red one is pectorall, and praeferred before the rest in confecting ecclegmes.

CHAP. XVI. Of Flebane.

PSyllium is a pulicary hearb so called from the effigies of its seed, it growes in fallow ground and ditches, with long an∣gust and hirsute leafes like Crowfoot, its Corne begins at the middle of its caule, with spicated heads cohaereing like scales, at the foot of the leafes, out of which small, pallid, and lanuginous flowers, erupt; whereunto small black and splendent seeds suc∣ceed, which clemently mollify and subduce the belly.

It is refrigerative in the second degree, * 1.316 and symmetricall as to humectation and siccation according to Galen. Dioscorides and Pliny also affirme that it is thus refrigerative; so that I cannot but admire that Mesue should say that it is indued with a sharpe ulcerative and poysonous quality, but I beleive, he praecipitantly wrote this from the relation of some other man, or else excerped it out of some lying book, or rather that some changed what he wrote most truely: its quality and use is more safe then Mesue his writeings do patifie.

CHAP. XVII. Of Tussilage or Colts-foot.

THe Romans call this Plant Tussilago, the Greeks Bechion, from that speedy help and utility it affords the Coughers and annelant: Apothecaryes call it Colts-foot, because its leafes do a little resemble a horses hoofe; the inferiour part whereof is tomentous and white, the superiour green.

Its caule is so short, scarce aequalling a palme in length, that some thought it grew without a caule; its flower is luteous, rudi∣ated, and aureous like Sow thistles flowers which erupts in Fe∣bruary or March before the egression of its leafes, which standing a few dayes dehisces into dawn, its root is slender, white, and geniculated, delighting in moist places and River brinkes. * 1.317

Its faculty hath respect unto cough and anhelations; it is also credited that its fume in a Tobacco-Pipe will break an impost∣hume in the breast.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Hops.

THere is a scansory Plant, which creepes up to the summityes of Trees, which we call Hop-Tree.

It growes spontaneously in Hedges and Meadow sides with sharpe leafes like Cucumber, or triangular like Briony; where∣with it encompasses shrubs; its flowers are subalbid, herbace∣ous, compacted of many folicles, scale-wise disposed, and race∣mously pendent, wherein a small seed is contained; the Belgi∣ans much estimate this fruit, for with this and their fruits they make up their drink, as we do our Beer: its tender branches, in the beginning of the spring cocted may be eaten with butter or oyle and vinegar like Sperage or sallets.

It refrigerates moderately, moves Choller, * 1.318 diduces the passa∣ges, removes obstructions, moves urine, cures the Jaundice, exacts Phlegme and hydropicall humours; and allayes the heat of the Stomack.

CHAP. XIX. Of Bistort.

BIstort is so denominated from its intorted and convolved radi∣cles; some take it for Dragon-wort, others for wild Bete; some say; but without ground or reason, that it is the Arabian

Bean; others more tolerably call it Britannica; of whose family we constitute it; for it differs from it onely in the colour of its root; for they are both very like in forme and faculties. Britanni∣ca doth with a peculiar faculty respect, stomacate and sceletyrbe, which maladyes much molest the Germanes, and Septentrionall incolists; the like whereof hapned upon Caesars Souldiers w••en they came beyond Rhene, who there finding a River, drunk of ••he water, which within two dayes caused their ••eeth to fall out, and resolved the joynts of their knees, but the herb Britannica well help such as are thus infested.

Bistort doth from its nodose, intorted & rubescent root, emit long, broad, acuminated and venous leafes, green above, and somewhat white beneath; round cubitall or shorter caules, circumvested with little leafes from the middle upwards, and adorned with purpu∣eous flowers, its seed is small and triangular like that of Sorrell.

Its root is most used in Pharmacy; * 1.319 which is inodorate, refrigera∣tive, and astrictive; it roborates the internalls, exarceates puite∣tude, resists poyson, and cures pestilent diseases.

CHAP. XX. Of the Strawberry-Bush.

FRagaria is perpetually green, never devoid of leafes, it de∣pends upon no Caule, onely its radicles emit slender and lanuginous pedicles, some whereof bear onely leafes, others flo∣wers and fine leafes, others like fibres creep along the ground, and germinate; for where ever they touch ground, there they radicate, and ministrate a new Plant; there are three, oblong, broad, serrated leafes like them of Cinquefoile; on each pedicle, an herbaceous lump erupts after the occasion of the flowers, which augments by little and little, and becomes white, when it attaines maturity it is red, like a Mulberry; it is candid, soft, medullous, vinose, humid, gratefull and sweet to the gust, refert∣ed with minute grains, which we call Strawberries.

Its root is fibrous, capillated and blackish; neither it nor the leafes of this Plant are much celebrated for Medicinall uses; though it accede the confection of the Martian unguent; for the commendable quality of this whole Plant, is in its fruit, as of Rose-trees in their flowers, Mulabathrum in its leafe, and Ginger in its root: it growes spontaneously in Woods and umbrous places but flourishes more in Gardens, and beares greater and sweeter berryes.

Strawberryes refrigerate, * 1.320 quench thirst, and nourish the body for a while, their water destilled, deleates the spots of the face, ex∣purges it, and makes it fairer.

CHAP. XXI. Of Cinquefoile.

THis herb is so denominated from the number of its leafes; it emitts from one root many, pedall, festucaceous surcles, with luteous and fugaceous flowers on their summityes, like them of wild Tansey; each pedicle beares five ••oblong flowers crenated a∣bout like a Saw, the whole Plant is somwhat hirsute and whitish, its root long, blackish without and ruddy within; it growes spontaneously about the margins of fields.

There is another sort of Cinquefoile, with great crenated leafes, green above, and white and lanuginous below; there is a third also which is reptile, whose branches are slender and imbecill; leafes smooth and green; flowers luteous; and roots fibrous and exile: another sort growes in stagnant places, in leafes and mag∣nitude very like the first with double darkly red flowers, which grow upon an head referted with many seeds.

Cinquefoile (whose root is most in use) allayes the inflammation of the jawes and asper artery, * 1.321 it stayes the belly flux and dysente∣ry; in drink it cures the dolours of the hips and junctures, cures biles and scabs, discusses cowles on the neck, cohibites pimples, represses watry swellings; the succe of its root while young and tender, is good against the affections of the Liver and Lungs.

CHAP. XXII. Of Goosse-grasse or Cleavers.

GOosegrasse hath either soft surcles and leafes, and is called Mellugo; or sharpe ones, and is called Asperugo, or Spargula and Asperula; for the whole Plant adhaeres to the Cloaths of such as passe by, through its tenacious asperity; whence the Greeks call it Philanthropon and Philadelphon, Pliny Lappago.

Goosegrasse is a Plant growing besides hedges, ditches, and a∣mongst thornes, adhaereing to vicine shrubs; with imbecill, ob∣sequious, quadrangular surcles of many cubits length; with an∣gust leafes decussated like Starres, and orbicularly cohaereing to the genicles of its surcles, as in Ruby to which it is very like: its flower is small and white; its seed hard, white, round, con∣cave, in forme of a navil; whence some call it Omphalocarpon.

Goosegrasse is moderately extersive and desiccative, the succe of the whole Plant drunk in Wine, auxiliates against the biteings of Spiders and Vipers; the Plant infused therein cures the eares aches, * 1.322 its leafes brayed and collected in Wine-Lees discusse swellings in the neck.

Gallion is very like Spargula, or Mollugo, which is often put into milke to co-agulate it.

CHAP. XXIII. Of Scabiose.

SInce this Plant is neither that which Dioscorides calls Scrobe, nor that which Aëtius calls Psora, we cannot learn from the ancients what it is; however it is a Plant which is now for its fre∣quency and excellent effects very well known: it beares long, broad, hirsute, and laciniated leafes, incided like Rocket; its root is simple and long; its Caule halfe a foot high, in whose summity growes a flower, made up of many leafes▪ whereof the circumambient are larger, the middle lesser, all of them with their pedicles are whitish,

There is another Scabiose called the lesser Scabiose scarce a hand high, which in flower, leafes, and colour responds to the former; a third also of a middle magnitude called Ovilla, whose leafes are more broad, long, hirsute and crenated about; and a fourth not very unlike the first, whose Caules are cubitall and folious, with caeruleously white flowers on their summityes.

Scabiose, it is believed, will cure the Scab, it purges the Lungs, cures the Cough and other pectorall affections, as also pestilent diseases: some think it is cold, others temperate, and exuberant in no quality.

CHAP. XXIIII. Of the Cotton-Tree or Plant.

GOssipium or Xylon, vulgarly called Bombay, is a cubitall, ra∣mous and brachiated Plant, with leafes like the Vine-Tree, but lesser; luteous flowers, which leave little Nutts behind them or rather small Apples of the magnitude of round Aristolochy; which drawing to maturity spontaneously dehisce, and give free passage, to a certain soft, white dawen conceived and kept with∣in them, together with copious seed like that of Cubebs, turgid with white pitch within, and black without: this dawen is of much use to men; the seed is onely Medicinall. Gossipium, which the Barbarians and Arabians call Gotum, growes in Sicily, and many moist places in Italy, and Germany, exposed to the Sun.

The Cotton-seed helpes the tussient, * 1.323 anhelant, and rabid; cure∣ing many vices of the Lungs, Liver and Reins; its oyle extracted by expression, deleates the pimples and pustuls of ones face.

CHAP. XXV. Of Hispidula or Aeluropus, commonly called Catts-foot.

MAny Plants mutuate their denominations from some parts of animalls which they resemble, thus we have, Hares-foot, Crow-foot, Lyons-foot, Calfes-foot, or Aron, Colts-foot, and Cats-foot, which from its tomentitious dawen, is somtimes called Pilosella, somtimes Gnaphalium, and often Hispidula.

It is a very small Plant, with slender branches, growing in Hills and dry places exposed to the Sun; it emitts pedall cauli∣cles, with small leafes, pretty red, and somtimes white flowers; all are lanuginous: yea the whole Plant seems to the tact and sight nothing but dawen; especially its flower which by its tomentiti∣ous haire wherewith it is vested, resembles a Catts foot, whence it got its denomination.

It is reposed amongst those that refrigerate moderately, and a∣stringe and agglutinate efficaciously, * 1.324 and therefore it is a good vulnerary: white is most used in ruptures and openings of vessells, and affections of Lungs, which are caused by imbecillity or too much laxity, and impotency to contain blood,

The more recent have made a syrupe thereof, which they call syrope of Catts-foot, which they find and experience salu∣brious to pectorall vices, we have given its description in our Antidotary.

CHAP. XXVI. Of Melilote.

THere are many kinds of trifoiles, whereunto the whole fami∣ly of Melilotes are referred; for all of them have leafes, disjoined by three divisures, all of them grow in one place, and participate of the same effigies; there are three sorts of Melilote, the first is the vulgar, which in France growes amongst segetives; the second more rare, which beares white flowers, with leafes and surcles like the former; the third most rare because pere∣grine, whose flowers are purpureous, somtimes caeruleous and e∣legant; it growes copiously in Syria.

The vulgar, which it is probable the Romans mean by their Sertula, disperges many, pedall, and slender caulicles; leafes di∣sterminated with three incisures like Trifoyle, or rather Faenu∣greeke somwhat fimbriated in their ambient, with luteous flow∣ers like Pease-bloomes, coacted acervately in the forme of a spike; after whose occase short, broad, and blackish cods do erupt, turgid with small and pallid seed; some call it odorate tri∣foyle, others Cotona regia, some Serta and Sertula Campana.

Melilote seems to be indifferent, * 1.325 as to either refrigeration or calefaction, but it is manifestly astrictive; it allayes all inflam∣mations, especially those of the Womb and Fundament if it be decocted and sod-wine, and applyed by way of liniment; it is peculiarly efficacious against a scald head, its succe instilled into the eare with sod wine cures its dolours, and allayes head-ach, if it be applyed with Rose-water.

CHAP. XXVII. Of Line.

LIne denotes both the Plant and its Seed; the Plant and its bark compose the texture of Linnen-Cloath, the seed and its medulla compose medicaments; It is a Plant with exile and cubitall caulicles; long and acute leafes; caeruleous, and spe∣cious flowers; after whose occase which is speedy, small heads, gravidated with yellow, long, smooth and splendent seed, do erupt; it is not enumerated amongst esculents in France, and those regions where it growes plenteously; though the rusticks in Asia, brayed it, put honey to it, and fryed it frequently for their repast: however it be praepared, it is neither pleasant nor salubre, for it is averse to the stomack; and therefore we sow it for vestiments and medicaments, and not for Aliments.

Line and Faenugreeke have the same Faculties; it discusses and allayes inflammations whether within or without, its decoction cures the erosion of the matrix, and moves the belly; the oyle ex∣pressed out of its seed mitigates, mollifyes, deleates pimples, and emends the vices of the skin.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of Faenugreeke.

Faenugreeke is a siliquous Plant emerging at first with one on∣ly Caule, which is afterward brachiated into many boughs and wings, its Leafes are like them of the Meadow trifoile, but rounder, lesser, more green above and subcineritious underneath, its flowers are small and whitish, after which arise long Cods crooked like Cornicles, wherein flave and angulous seeds like small Pease are contained, Hippocrates calls this Plant Epice∣tus, Theophrastus, Buceras; and Dioscorides, Tellis.

Faenugreek is emollitive and discussive, * 1.326 subacted with Vinegar and nitre it minuates the Spleen, mitigates heat with its lentour, made into a pultise with oxymel, it cures the podagry. Galen saith that it irritates fervent inflammations, but cures such as are lesse hott and more hard; its sapour and odour denunciate it calefactive

though we referre it to that ranke that is refrigerative or rather temperate.

CHAP. XXIX. Of Red Cicers.

MAny kinds of Pulse three are; some whereof are alimental, as Pease and Beanes; others medicamentall as vetches, whereof there are many sorts, for some are sative, others wild; the sative seems to be the same with Arietinus, which Dioscorides describes onely nominally; whereof there is great plenty in Italy, which they there use not onely in medicine, but in meats also, it beares leafes like Pease leafes, but lesser, with purpureous flowers, round cods, praegnant with many grains: some places produce onely white vetches which arewhese∣of if we look at much eaten; others onely black, or darkely purpureous, which are the best and most celebrated in Pharmacy.

There is another sort of vetches which are wild, * 1.327 which in seeds differ little from the sative, but in leafes much: both sorts open the passages of the Reins, expell flowers and birth; augment milke, exterge, cause flatuosity, and excite stiffenesse in the yard.

CHAP. XXX. Of Orobus or the bitter-Vetch,

THat which the Apothecaryes call Orobus, the Greekes call Er∣vum: it is a kind of pulse-like Vetches, growing in macilent places wherein it delights more then in fat soyle, for there it is more speedily corrupted; there are two varietyes thereof, the one is white, sweet and lesse vulgar; the other yellow, which may be had in any Pharmacopoly; both according to Dioscorides are well known to all, though many take wild Vetches, or Eruile which infest Corne, for the true Orobus.

But the domestick Orobus is sowen and cultivated, it assurges with a cubitall or longer culme, geniculated, incurvated, con∣cave, and a little striated, with leafes and flowers like Vetches, round Cods grow upon its surcles, protuberant with three or four graines disjoyned with no membrane.

It desiccates manifestly, but calefies so gently, * 1.328 that it seems to be temperate, it incides, exterges, removes and resolves obstructi∣ons; it is seldome or never introsumed, frequently adhibited; for its seed ingredes salves very frequently.

CHAP. XXXI. Of Lupines.

LUpine seems to be a kind of Bean; for its Caule is streight, erect, Cave, somwhat tomentitious like a Beanes culme, one∣ly it is round. Its singular and fibrous root emitts a Caule 〈◊〉〈◊〉 branches alternately posited, with leafes qinquefariously dissect∣ed like them of Staves-acre, with white flowers thrice erupting betwixt the beginning of Summer and Autumne; after which; Cods lesser and plainer then Bean Cods emerge, each of them containing five or six round, compressed, and amate grains, white without and subluteous within.

Lupines are macerated for many dayes space in water till they demitt their amaritude, and then cocted before they be eaten, if they be illited or eaten with honey, or drunk in Posca they kill Wormes; their decoction cures Morpheus, scurfes, scabs, mangi∣nesse, and malignant ulcers, partly by digesting, partly by exterg∣ing and drying them without mordacity; cocted in Vinegar they discusse biles in the Neck, and imposthumes distilling from the head to the eyes, and makes the colour of skarres candid and white: though their amarity demonstrates that they are calid, neverthelesse, they are justly reposed in this Section.

CHAP. XXXII. Of Barley.

AS Barley is of cereals most usefull, so most notorious, whe••e∣of if we look at the time of its sature we have two sorts, one autumnall whose straw, spike, and graines are greater, the other vernall, which in all parts is lesse; the spike of each is circum∣valled with beards and small leafes wherein is contained an ob∣long aequilaterall, and medullous grain.

Both the sorts of Spelt are referred to the family of Barleys, some call these segetives by the name soucrion vulgarly scourgeon which denotes its utility in succouring Nations; as also another kind of segetive which some call Zeopyrum, others bare Barley, which growes in Cappadocia: yea many reduce yet more cereals to this segetive, as Olyra, Typha, Brisa, Eteocrithon, and Oryza which they call distich Barley. India long agoe produced a kind of Barley, gratefull and salubre to man, but deletery to horses: for the same given to Alexanders Horses to eat, killed them at first; but mixing chaffe with it, it became innoxious. Another sort growes in Thra∣cia, about Gedropolis which beasts would not touch; the cause whereof Theophrastus attributes to its ill odour, though a man can∣not perceive it, when it is denudated of its shel; they call it Exasti∣cum and Cantherinum.

Common Barley refrigerates and exsiccates, * 1.329 being a little de∣tersive, and hence Barley-bread stayes not long in the belly, nor yet gives much of nutriment; its flatuosity is deposed by elixation, and therefore Hippocrates would have it done in a Ptisane, that it may be longer cocted.

CHAP. XXXIII. Of Rhus or Sumack.

RHus it both the Latine and Greeke name of a shrub, and al∣so of a fruit, whereunto Cooks adde obsoniorum, because it was frequently used in Kitchins and obsonies for Salt of old; but now it is only dedicated to Pharmacy, the Mauritanians call it Sumach.

It is an arbuscle growing & fruticating most copiously in petrous places, its Caule assurges three, four and somtimes five Cubits high, it is discriminated with many small boughes; its leafes, whose middle nerve or cost is red, cohaere in clusters like ash∣seafes, each whereof, is oblong, late, serrated about, whitish; it emitts candicant flowers in July, which are racemously congest∣ed like them of Lillax; its small fruit with the seed which is small and red like that of Lentills, is mature in autumne, it is called Rhus coriaria, because it hath an excellent faculty in con∣densing hides; as also another Plant, thence called Corinus coriaria, which may be enumerated amongst the species of Rhus.

Sumach being very austere is astrictive and desiccative, it co∣hibites dysenteryes and fluxions, stayes womens flowers, * 1.330 and al∣layes the hemorrhoids, its leafes and fruit are exceedingly astrictive, they are dry in the third, and cold in the second de∣gree.

CHAP. XXXIIII. Of Myrtle.

MYrtle is either silvestrian, which growes and fruticates spon∣taneously in many hot regions, and incultivated places, or domestick which requires culture, whereof there are two sorts, the one lesser like Box-Tree, only its leafes are more acute like broome leafes, its berryes are black like Ivy; and it is gravidated with vincous succe, whence it is oft called black Myrtle, it is much celebrated for its gracious odour and perpetually florid colour, and diligently nourished in Gardens, and transplanted in figu∣line pots into houses windowes, and there custodited for delight and ornament.

There is a lesser sort called white Myrtle, which beares broader and longer leafes, then the former, whose colour is not so obscure,

but whitish whence it is cognominated; by culture it somtimes assurges to the altitude of a moderate Tree, as we may see in some maritimous Gardens, both Myrtles emitt white and suaveolent flo∣wers, out of which by due art a very fragrant stillatitious water may be extracted.

There growes about the Caule of Myrtle an unaequall, concolo∣rate lump, which like a hand amplects its boughs. Dioscorides calls it Myrtidanum, but it is of no use, and therefore neither bought not sold.

There is also another small wild Myrtle, which delights in syl∣vous, dry, macilent, and a prique places, beareing black, edible, and sweet berryes which many call Vaccinia, others give it ••••cti∣tious names at will: in Normandy the vulgarity of Aethiopians that are called Mores, do from their blacknesse call them Morets.

Myrtle consists of contrary substances, the frigid praevailing over the calid, but participating much of tenuious calour; there∣fore according to Galen it desiccates so efficaciously.

Both its fruit and leafes may be successefully either assumed or adhibited; * 1.331 and it being astrictive, stayes excretions of blood, and bridles other profluent humours; their decoction helps lax∣ated members, and broken bones that cannot endure ferrumina∣tion; many more commodityes doth Myrtle pollicitate, whereof see Dioscorides (C. 156. L. 1.)

CHAP. XXXV. Of Millfolle or Yarrow.

MAny Plants do from the multiplicity of their Leafes and their multifarious incisures assume the name of Millefoiles, as Achillea, Osyris, and water Strathiotes which is like Houseleek growing only in Aegypt according to Pliny: as also Strathiotes, Chyliophyllum, and Myriophyllum, of which Dioscorides treats in two severall Chapters.

White leafed Milfoile hath a short caulicle, with leafes like the wings of young birds, in brevity and ruggednesse like wild Cumin, small white flowers upon a dense umbell like Dill, it growes by high-wayes in places not ploughed.

It is very usefull according to Dioscorides for inveterate and fresh ulcers, * 1.332 for issues of blood and fistulaes: whence the rusticks call it Carpentary or Carpenters hearb, some call it Souldiers hea••••.

The sweet leafed M••••f••ile emits one slender Caule, out of one root, with innumerable, small, capillaceous leafes like fennell, its surcle is variously delineated as if it had been so wrought by art; it growes in meadowish, moist and fenny places.

It is astrictive, exsiccatory and vulnerary; for it very much ac∣celerates the cure and closure of wounds, drying, glutinating

and vindicating them from inflammations; it is good also in cureing ulcers; it stenches blood specially.

CHAP. XXXVI. Of Tamarisk.

THey put an indignity upon Tamarisk that call it a shrub, seeing it assurges to a notable procerity, and acquires so much of crasstude, that cups and other vessells for the use of the spleenatick may be made of its trunk and boughs: yea, if we be∣leive Columella, Troughs have been excavated out of its trunks and filled with water that Hoggs might epote it, and so liberate themselves from the augmentation of the spleen, wherewith they frequently labour.

Tamarisk emits very many boughs, which are vested with fre∣quent, exile, tenuious, round leafes exasperated as it were in their superficies with transverse and oblique lines, without in∣cisures, its flowers are many mossy, tomentitious, white or som∣what purpureous occupying the summityes of its surcles, and at length evolating in dawen, its root is lignous and crasse, as the Tamarisk is in age.

Tamarisks are of two sorts, the one wild and sterile, which growes in many Woods, the other domestick, very like the for∣mer in effigies and faculties, which beares some seeds.

It is abstersive and incisive without any manifest desiccation; it is also somwhat astrictive, * 1.333 yet it admirably and by a speciall property helps an inducated, obstructed, and imbe••ill spleen, tures all affections proceeding from crasse and Melancholicall hu∣mours.

SECT. VI. Of Fruits.

WE have sufficiently in a former Section treated of Stalks, Roots, Branches, Boughes, Woods, Barks, Leaves, and Flowers, or at least of so many as concur to be composition of Medicaments. It remaines now that we treat of Fruits, both Alimentall, and Medicamentall, which an Apothecaryes shop cannot be without, and in their enumeration, we shall first touch upon those that excell others in dignity, s••avity, utility and magnitude; so that we shall take our exordium from Apples, by the Greekes called Mela.

CHAP. I. Of Apples.

THere are so many varietyes of Apples that they can scarce be named much lesse here enumerated: for besides those which the Earth produces, many are variously immuted by incision, miscellany, and mangony; for art cicurates the wild, allayes the acerb, dulcescates the acid, incrassates the small, flavescates the red, and changes many more colours.

And though Apple-Trees be pomigerous every where, yet in Nor∣mandy, they are more faecund, beareing better, more gratefull, and salubrious Apples for the confection of Cider then elsewhere; whereof, as of Wine, there are many sorts, the best whereof is that that is made of Skarlet Grapes, which in sapour, suavity, and goodnesse aequalizes generous Wine.

Apples are well known to all Nations, whose culinary uses are frequent, and officinary no lesse celebrous: for their succe ingredes the confecture of Alkernesse, and conditure of King Sapors syrup, as also their substance, the unguent Pomatum.

Now we comprehend under this generall name, all odorate fruits of an herbaceous green colour which have no lignous pills, as all curtipendulous Apples, rambures, and the like; on the con∣trary we call all them nuts, whose externall shell is Lignous and hard as Pistacks, Nuts and Almonds. Quinces, Apricocks, and Peaches also come under the name of Apples; as also many other Fruits.

Those are the best, sweetest and most fragrant which the vul∣gar Normans call Gulorogeria, Passipoma, Calvillea, Paradisiana, Rubelliana, Reneta, Curtipendula, and many more which for their salubrity, suaveolence and sweet sapour, are much used of such as live deliciously.

The Septentrionall incolists have yet incredible varietyes of Apples; which being either amare, or acid, or austere, or dulco-a∣cid or dulco-amare, are after they have attained their perfect mag∣nitude congested in Store-houses that they may maturescate, and then they are contunded in a Trough, committed to a Presse, and their copious succe expressed, and reconded in a hogs-head, where it keeps long without corruption, and serves them for fa∣miliar drink, which from its Citrian colour they call Citre, cor∣ruptly Cyder.

Sweet Apples are temperate; acid ones colder, as also austere ones, amare ones hotter. All of them almost mollifie the belly, * 1.334 es∣pecially the sweet ones, they contemperate bilious and melan∣cholicall humours.

CHAP. II. Of Pears.

THe Pyre or Peare-Tree so called from its Pyramidall turbi∣nated effigies, is well known to all; for all Gardens and Or∣chards luxuriate therewith, yet their fruit is very expetible; for Peares are so gratefull to eat, that many praeferre them before all o∣ther edibles.

Whereof there are so many varietyes in colour, sapour, mag∣nitude and forme, that none are able to enumerate them: the An∣cients cognominated some small and swift, which it is probable we now call suaveolent and Summer Peares, from their gracious sapour representing Musk, or Honey rather, which being the least of all, grow five, six, or more on a cluster, depending upon prolix pedicles, which come first to maturity.

The Lutetians commend the rosea so called from their colour, the bicipita, sufficiently conspicuous by their magnitude, Callotia Sertelia, Dagobertina, Fusca, Bergamotia, and Donchristiana which are the sweetest of all, and are frequent in the Turonian and Meten∣sian fields, as also in all France.

Some are also commended and celebrated for their magnitude, as those they call Liberalia, and some other crasse ones, which be∣ing first brought from Rhodes, are nominated Rhodensia; there are many more of firmer substance, which are eaten more frequently when cocted, then when crude, which are not ripe till the begin∣ning of Winter.

In the Countrey they exsiccate Peares in an Oven, and keep them till Lent, or coct them in new Wine, or stuffe them with Cloves, and condite them in Sugar, and keep them for junkets and obsonyes.

Peares are more or lesse astrictive, * 1.335 as their sapour is lesse or more sweet: as they are more gratefull, so more salubrious after decoction, for being crude they load the Stomack.

CHAP. III. Of Limmons, Citrons.

CItrons are not so much called medicall Apples from Medus, as from their medicall qualityes, for their odour, pill, flesh, pulpe, succe, grains, and all are eximiously medicinall: here of, there are three differences, the first is called a Limmon which is turbinated with an oblong effigies, is colorated herbaceously, and turgid with a more acid acerb and frigid succe, corticated with a thinner pill, and not so amare as an Orenge: the second is the more vulgar Citron, very like the former, but its colour is more luteous, its pill more crasse, rugous and caperated, and it selfe more crasse, odorate, medicative and convenient for antidotes: the third is greatest called Pom-Citron, orbiculated like a melon, with a thick carnous pill, somtimes aequalling a mans nayle in crassitude, with a concolorated superficies, which we call Ponce∣rium, Citroniatum, Assyrian Apple, and Adams Apple, all which names seem to be deflected from the Tree, and as they are alike in Idea, so also in facultyes.

As them of the third sort which we call Ponoeria superate the rest in magnitude, so doth the first which we call Lina in parvity: for it scarce aequalises an egge in magnitude, yea most of that sort when they have attained their perfect growth, are no whit crasser then Apricocks, some whereof are oblong, others short and rotund, all suaveolent, vestited with a thin cortex, salurated with much succe, of a dulco-acid and gratefull sapour; they are very copious and eximious in Italy, especially in the fields near Luca.

The Trees from which they are collected, are perpetually virid, Laurifolious, and alwayes pomiferous, for some are just erupting, others more adult, others almost mature, and other deciduous, at all times on the same Tree.

All Limmons and Citrons refrigerate, arceate putretude, recreate the heart, and resist Poysons, which Athenaeus proves, by an admi∣rable History of two sentenced offenders, who by the command of the Aegyptian King, according to their Lawes were to be exposed a prey to Asps; each of them in their journey received a Citron of an huckster, which condoled their condition; they are it, who there∣upon felt no pain, when they were bitt by those cruell Serpents: which the judge admired, and seeking the cause, found that each of them had eaten a Citron; the next day he commanded a Citron to be given to one of them, and not to the other, they were againe lead to their punnishment; he that had eaten the Citron felt no molestation, the other being all over livid with biteings dyed.

CHAP. IIII. Of Orenges.

AUrenges or aureous Apples so called from their colour, grow upon a Tree very like the Limmon-Tree in effigies, for their colours, odours, flowers and leafes are the same, only they differ a little in that part next the peduncle, which in the Orenge is as it were pinnated and double, they are dilutely green, odorate and concolorate with the Limmon-Trees fruits: the Tree whereon they grow is tall, ramous, perpetually virid, and daily pomi∣ferous, some growing, other falling, and others ripening, it beares flowers al the year, which are white, elegant, suaveolent and more fragrant in Summer, then other times; some whereof ad∣haere to a nodose pedicle and are faecund, others are enodous and sterile. Aqua Naphae so much celebrated for its suavity and fra∣grance is distilled from these, which Matrons and delicate Cour∣tiers wash their faces, hair, and hands with.

Great plenty of Orenges are carried from Spain, Italy, and France into other regions, some whereof are sweet, and ingratefull or at least not pleasant to the gust; others acid, jucund, cordiall and gratefull to the palate; all round, nitent of a Golden colour or ve∣ry flave whence they are often called Golden Apples.

The sweet ones are temperate, the acid ones refrigerate, arce∣ate putretude, resist Poysons, and corroborate; * 1.336 their pills are acri∣monious, amare and hot, which for their gracious odour are used in sawces condited in Sugar, it emends the breath of ones mouth.

CHAP. V. Of Pomegranates.

THis Tree commonly called Granate, and its fruit Pomegranate derives its denomination either from the multitude of graines wherewith it is referted, or else from the region of Grana∣ta where it fruticates copiously; it delights in hot aire and dry ground, its leafes are like myrtle leafes, which fall off annually, its flower is red, oblon••, jucund of aspect, and resembles a cup in effigies, the vulgar call it Balaustium, though that name, in Diosco∣rides his opinion, may rather be deduced to the wild ones.

There are two sorts of Pomegranate-Trees, the one wild, which is florigerous, but withall infrugiferous, the other domesticall, whereof there are three differences, one beares acid Pomegranates, another sweet ones; and the third dulco-acid ones, all of them are angulous and crasse, referted with many graines, demerged in much juice.

Its cortex is called Malicore, and by some Sedion, it is viridly flave, like vitriol, whereof according to Alcumists it partici∣pates; its flower is oblong, purpureous and fait, which Pliny calls Balaustians.

The whole Pomegranate is astrictive and refrigerative, but its succe is indued with the best facultyes, which recreates the heart, allayes the heat of the stomack, and cures the Cholerick passion; sweet Pomegranates molest the stomack.

CHAP. VI. Of Quinces.

QUinces grow upon a Tree, which they call Cotonea, or Catonea from M. Cato. but the Graecians long agoe called it Cydonea from Cydon a Town in Crete, where it was first found: but I should rather believe that its name Colonea was given to it because of its tomentitious cortex resembling Cotten, for these Apples are vest∣ed with a certain dawen like Cotten dawen.

The Tree from which they are excerped is commonly low, as∣surgeing like a shrub, vested with a sharp and gapeing Barke, produceing things like scales; its boughs are many, short, tortu∣ous and cineritious, its leafes subrotund, mucronated, green above white beneath, soft and lanuginous; its flowers albid, somwhat purpureous and quinquefolious; its fruits crasse, very flave, to∣mentitious and odorate, emitting an odour jucund to some, in∣gratefull to others; its sapour is alike to all; flesh luteous, succe austere; its seed as in other Apples is included in membranes and reconded as it were in Caskets.

The Quince-Tree is fruitfull in every place, but most in hot re∣gions, cultivated places and Garden sides, for then its fruits will be more, and aureous; some whereof are rounder, shorter, lesser and nearer the figure of vulgar Apples, which are called Quinces absolutely; others greater, crasser, longer, turbinated and more like Peares vulgarly called Coignacea, which are not so good as the former.

Some also are more candid, others strutheous, all more luteous and almost aureous whence they are called Chrysomels or Golden Apples, such as are more lanuginous, and by their fragrancy af∣fect the heads of some men, make very many eustomachicall me∣dicaments as conserves, waters, and syrups of Quinces whereof there is much use both in health and sicknesse.

Quinces can searce be eaten crude, when cocted they are more gratefull to the palate; * 1.337 they roborate the ventricle, allay vomit∣ing represse the flowers of the belly, conduce to the dysenteriack and collicall, as also to such as either spit blood, or are infested with an immoderate flux of flowers or haemorrhoids.

CHAP. VII. Of Medlers.

A Medler is a certain round Apple, at first green, and som∣what hispid; afterwards it is yellow, and soft: some call it Tigranum, and Galen calls it Tricoccum, because it containes three lapideous, or osseous graines instead of seeds, yet somtimes four and somtimes five are found in it, according to the number of its unguicles issuing out of its patulous bosse or head: this fruit is so acerb before maturity, that one cannot tast of it, but when mature, it is gratefull and wholesome for the last course.

The Tree from which it is decerped is of two sorts, one wild and spinous growing spontaneously in Woods and Hedges, which beares small oblong Apples, very acerb before maturity, and not very gratefull after; the other domesticall, so made by culture and insition, whose Apples are more crasse and full, though a lit∣tle compressed, round, and gapeing on one side: both are tortuous and rigid, but this is lesse spinous. Dioscorides calls it Setania, Theo∣phrastus Satanea.

It assurges to the magnitude of a vulgar Apple-Tree, with boughs that are hairy and circumgyred, promisse, and not broad leafes; white and quinquefolious nowers; whereunto Apples succeed called Medlers, which are of a moderate magnitude, with late heads, discreted with five unguicles or leafes, its substance is white, and sapour austere till maturity, and then it is yellow and sweet.

Immature Medlers are acerb and astrictive, yet their Powder according to A••t. Musa breakes and excludes stones in the Reins, * 1.338 to which effect, their officles or seeds brayed and assumed, are thought most conducible, they are commended for cohibiting belly flux, and roborating its parts.

CHAP. VIII. Of Sorbe Apples.

SOrbes are small Apples, in quality like Medlers, in formes and magnitude very dissimilar; for both at first are green, hard, acerb, unfit to eat; by maturity yellow, soft, grateful to the palate, and turgid with a vinose succe.

Pliny makes four sorts of Sorbe Apples, some common and turbi∣nated like Peares which the rusticks call Cormae; others rounder like Apples, some oblong like Olives, and others torminose; Dioscorides mentions only the pyroformious or vulgar Sorbe Apples which are decerped in Autumne. * 1.339

All Sorbe Apples are acerb and astrictive; and thence they con∣duce

to the staying of the dysentery and other fluxes, * 1.340 the vulgar are most in use, which represse vomitings, stay the eruptions of blood, and roborate the partst: here is a kind of drink expressed out of these in a presse, that is very like Perry, which the vulgarity much celebrate.

CHAP. IX. Of the fr•••• of the Cornell Tree.

COrna are oblong fruits of the magnitude of Roman beanes, yet not plain but round, red, praegnant with a white hard and offeous Kernell, of an austere sapour with some acidity.

They grow on a Tree not very tall, vested with rigid bark; smooth, broad, mucronated, venenate leafes, like them of the Spine Tree, it flourishes first of all, bearing green fruits in Sum∣mer, and red in Autumne, it delights in Mountaines and Valleys, and growes frequently without culture; but it is transplanted in∣to many Gardens that its fruit may be in more readinesse for me∣dicine.

There is another Thelycronius Cornell-Tree which Theophrastus calls the faemale dogg-Tree, * 1.341 which erects it selfe with a fungous Caule beareing ripe betryes in autumne, which are very acerb, insuave, and disgustfull to all animalls.

All Cornell-Trees have two roots by internalls, and alternately respondent, as in Vines; its barke is pallidly flave, the Wood of the male is so solid, that in hardnesse it aequalises hornes; its berryes are praegnantly turgid with red, austere, and acid succe.

These fruits refrigerate, * 1.342 desiccate and astringe; and therefore they are praescribed to the immoderate flux of the belly, flowers, or haemorrhoides.

CHAP. X. Of Prunes.

I Have neither will nor power to prosecute all the varietyes of Prunes, let herbalists and Carden-writers be sought, for their differences which are almost inexplicable and innumerable so made by art and mangony: for if we look at their colour, some are herbaceous, others white, others eburneous, some luteous, others flave, others purpureous, others black or violaceous, others va∣riegated, and others rubeous.

They are also differenced by their magnitude, figure, sapour, and place; for some are small, or great, or indifferent; others of a round, of an ovall, or an oblong figure; others acid, sweet, au∣stere, dulco-acid, or otherwise mixed: some are commended from

their place, as Damascens, Brignalens, Rhemens, and Turovians: we have now in our markets the best, and sweetest of all, which they commonly call Pardigons, as also imperial plums, and red, black and violaceous Damascens which they call Datta, which nobili∣tate the most delicate tables; and enrich shops.

They are collected of Plum-Trees, which are sufficiently knowen to all, especially the wild ones which grow spontane∣ously every where, which though they be very low, and beare fruit not very svave, yet they be so changed by culture and inser∣tion; that they will assurge to an high-Tree, and yeild sweet Plums annually: but it is vain to dilucidate what is already most notorious.

Plums which the Greeks call Coccymela, the Siculians, Barbyla, * 1.343 humectate, refrigerate, mollify and lubricate the belly: a certain Pulpe is elected out of black Damascens to the confection of Dia∣prunum; they are dryed in an Oven and eaten with fish, or made into medicine, they are condited in sugar for a jun∣ket.

CHAP. XI. Of Apricocks.

APricocks by their gratefull odour and sweet sapour do much arride, and nobilitate rich mens Tables, whether crude or condited; for their gratious halit and jucund suavity allure the fullest stomacks to tast of their delicacy: some would referre them to Plums, others to Peaches, but they seem to be a mean betwixt both; sedulity of late hath so acted that we have a kind of Plums in sapour, forme and magnitude partly resembling Plums, partly Apricocks which they call Apricock Plums, the Ancients called them Armeniaca, Galen afterwards Precoccia, and the more recent now by the addition and mutation of some letters Abricoecia.

They are gathered of a Tree, of a moderate magnitude, lesse then a Peare-Tree, greater then a Peach-Tree, harder and more durable, it emitts a crasse caule, many boughs not so long as them of the Peach-Tree, but more crasse, broad and mucronated leafes like them of Peare-Tree, white flowers, which erupt at the be∣ginning of the Spring, before the leafes; round, carnose, succu∣lent and gratefull fruit like Peaches, luteous both within and without.

Apricocks are judged humid in the second degree, * 1.344 frigid in the first or rather temperate, as all sweet fruits; they lubricate the belly, and are soon corrupted in an infirme body, especially if they be immoderately ingested, they are celebrated for no use in medi∣cine.

CHAP. XII. Of Peaches.

THe Peach-Tree is notorious and frequent in most places of France, for they beset their Vineyards therewith; it assurges to a moderate procerity, emitting long and fragile boughs, vested with rare leafes like Willowes, serrated about, amare to the gust and aromatically redolent; its flowers are like them of Almonds, but more dilutely purpureous.

Dioscorides saith that in Persia they found this Tree to be exiti∣ous, which by translation into Aegypt changed its nature, and be∣came innocuous, which also Galen affirmes; but Matthiolus con∣tradicts them upon such light conjectures, as he will never be able to infirmate or disprove the authority of such grave men withall.

It beares abundance of Apples, which are obduced with white dawn, subluteous, succulent, carnous, and variegated within and without, with certain red strokes; they are somtimes all luteous, the colour of the externall Cortex, shewes the colour of the internall Pulpe as red without, red within.

These Apples are rotund, but they have a small depressure on one side like a rime: their succe according to Galen, is small as al∣so their flesh, because they are soon corrupted: therefore the syrup made of their succe, which some celebrate much, is rather to be neglected then commended.

Peaches are cold and moist in the second degree, their succe is very corruptible, * 1.345 and they no good last dish; they are better be∣fore other meats then after.

Their Kernells are dry, they open, incide, exterge, and cure the infarctures of the Liver or Milt.

Their amare Leafes, calefy, incide, liberate the intralls from obstructions, subduce the belly, and move choler.

There is a good Hydragogall syrope, which also kills Wormes, made of their flowers.

CHAP. XIII. Of Cherryes.

THere are many varietyes of them; for some are wild, and those small, and lougipendulous, which at first are green, afterwards red and last black, the French call them Merisia that is amare, others domesticall which are much lesser; some where∣of are red, others black, others white, and others albo-rubeous, wild Cherryes are the most untimely, ungratefull and least; some whereof are plainly red, others black, next to these are other

great, sugacious and tender ones, which are so soft after maturi∣ty, that they cannot tolerate carriage, some call them Guignea; some whereof are black, crasse, and turbinated, which the anci∣ents called Actia and Juliana; others obscurely, and others dilute∣ly red.

Those that some call Duracina, and the French Bigarella are sweetest, hardest and most gratefull to the palate, they resemble a heart in forme; those they call Aproniana superate the rest in sa∣lubrity, they are very red of colour, acid, and gratefull to the gust.

Some yet are very sweet and wholsome to eat, which being per∣fectly mature, are very crasse, round and darkly red, they are called Agriota; some are acid, which are cognominated amar••na, others austere, Merona: all are very succulen, except heart Cher∣tyes, black and darkely red ones are very tender, and infect the hands of the contrectants.

Cherryes suppeditate laudable succe to the body; they allay the heat of the Stomack, subduce the belly, help such as are feaverish, * 1.346 contemperate bilious humours, liberate the Liver from in∣farctures, but some work these effects more eximiously, others more slowly.

CHAP. XIIII. Of Mulberry-Trees.

THere are two sorts of Mulberry-Trees, the one black, which beares black-berryes, the other white, which beares white ones, both tall, with flave roots, crasse trunks, rough barks, and long, broad, serrated leafes like them of Elder, whereon Silke-Wormes feed: but they spin the finest silk, when they are fed with white Mulberry leafes, which are more gratefull to them, an•• suppeditate more large and apt matter, for their Silke•• threads.

The fruits of black Mulberry, which the Apothecaryes common∣ly call Mora Celsi, are sweet, and frequently nobilitate mens table out of whose succe both syrupe and Rob is confected, but thei•• use is not now very frequent.

But the fruits of the white Mulberry-Trees are flatuous, ingrate∣full and unapt for nutriment; so that the excel ency of this Tree consists not so much in its fruits as leafes, whereon the afore∣said Wormes feed and suppeditate excellent Silken Cotten.

Mulberry-Trees germinate the latest of domesticks, beginning onely in May, when the rigidity of Winter is aboslutely over; they fructify in July and August, whose berryes are oblong, com∣pacted of graines, like them of the wild Mulberry-Tree, but longer crasser and greater, green at first, purpureous afterwards, and last of all black, and praegnant with red succe.

Immature Mulberryes are cold and dry towards the third de∣gree, they astringe potently, and allay the inflammations of the mouth and jawes; mature ones humectate and refrigerate but a little; they quench thirst, provoke appetite, and are not adverse to the ventricle, they nourish the body sparingly.

CHAP. XV. Of Wild Mulberryes, and Rasberryes.

RAsberry-bush is either wild, and spinous, which the Greeks call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or domestick and cicurated, which growing more copiously in the Mount Ida is called the Idaean bush, of which, as of the sylvestrian there are two sorts, the one beares red, the other white fruit; both the wild ones beare fruit which at first is green, then red, and at last black.

This bramble growes copiously in hedges, margins of fields and incultivated places; its surcles are prolix, lent, obsequious, green somwhat quadrangular, especially when inveterate, medullous with in, and aculeated without, with leafes, incided about, green above, white beneath, sharpe and spinous so farre as its fibres goe, with white flowers digested on the summityes of its surcles, whereunto fruits succeed, called black-berryes,

The Idaean bramble stands alone; and assurges streight up to a mans procerity, with medullous surcles, exasperated with small not horrid spines; its leafes and flowers are like the wild ones, and its fruits also, only they are either rubeous or pallid and very gratefull to the gust and olfact; we call them Framboesia; Isup∣pose from the fragrant odour they represent to the eaters mouth; that Wine is thought best that smells of Framboesia.

Wild Ras-berryes are astrictive, and very like the domestick Mulberryes in qualities; for they represse the inflammations of the mouth and jawes, and cohibite the flux of the belly: the Idaean also or white bryar possesse the same facultyes, but more infirme∣ly, and they are more accommodated to esure then medicinall uses.

CHAP. XVI. Of Sebestens or Myxarias.

SEbestens or Myxarias are fruits growing in Syria and Aegypt up∣on a tall Tree of the same name, like a Plum-Tree; the bark of its trunk is white, of its boughs green; they are vested with subro∣tund, firme and ample leafes, white flowers cobaereing racemous∣ly or rather on laxe umbels, which falling off, fruits erupt very like Plums, which attaining maturity, are of a sad green colour, and contain an hard, osseous, and triangular Nut or Kernell.

Myxaries or Sebestens are gathered when mature, insolated, con∣tracted into wrinkles like Raisons or Prunes and kept, they were once very rare and peregrine in Italy, but now they grow there copiously.

They mollify the belly like Plums, they allay Feavers, Coughs, and asperity of the tongue, they cure stranguty and ardour, they quench thirst if duly assumed, * 1.347 and kill and expell Wormes.

CHAP. XVII. Of Jujubs.

JUjubs which the Greeks, call Zizipha and Zinzipha, grow in Sy∣••ria, and now in many places in Italy and Narbone, upon a small tree, like a Whin, with hard spinose and spolious surcles; mossy flowers, its caule is contorted, rough and ramous; its boughs slender, long, obsequious, but hard and protended like the branches of Broome: its leafes hard, oblong, like them of Periwinkle, alter∣nately disposed at long intervalls; about which, small, mossy and pallid flowers do erupt, after whose occase oblong, carnose, ten∣der berryes of the magnitude of Cherryes, vested with a membra∣nous and hard cortex do accede, Galen calls them Serica.

These luteous or luteously purpureous, sweet, carnose, vinous fruits, of the figure and magnitude of moderate Olives, turgid with a stone, yellow without, when they have attained maturity are gathered, dryed, contracted into wrinkles and kept.

We cannot learn from the Greeks and Arabians any thing of their qualities and salubrity; for Galen saith, they are ill for the stomack, they nourish little, and are hard of concoction; the A∣rabians accommodate and commend them to many uses, and though Fuchsius acerbly insult and speak against these, yet Actud∣rius, Graecus, Nic. Alexandrinus, and many more, much celebrate their use, having sufficiently experienced their salubrious effects.

They cure the Cough, difficulty of breathing, and the asperity of the Artery, they concoct and expell humours, * 1.348 cure many vices in the Lungs and Breast, help the reines and allay the ardour of Urine, and dolour of the Bladder.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Figgs.

THe Figge-Tree germinates every where, but in cold Coun∣treys it is either sterile, or beares only grosse and uselesse, or small and insuave fruits; which never attain maturity; in hot,

regions, it fruiticates copiously, fructifying twice annually in the Spring and Authmne; it is a Tree of a moderate magnitude, not assurging with a direct caule, nor yet a smooth bark, but som∣what rough, especially when inveterate; its wood is white, soft and meoullous: its leafes ample, quinquefariously distermina∣ted, quinqueangular, rough, hard and obscurely green: its fruits which are at first small and green, afterwards greater, and either white or red, with a turbinated figure, erupt about the exortion of its leafes without any praevious flowers: and as some Figgs are more forward and sweeter then others, so are some whiter, some redder, some blacker then others; all are soft, medullous and gravidated with small graines, while they are immature if they be vulnerated with the stalks or ends of leafes, they will emitt a lacteous acrimonious and amare humour.

There is another low Fig-Tree very like the former excepting procerity, which growes in a prique places, and somtimes in Sep∣tentrionall regions.

Another wild and infaecund one, responds to these in effigies, which is celebrated for no medicinall use.

There is also an Indian Fig-Tree which some think is that same that Pliny calls Opuntia, which is a Plant without boughs, without Caules consisting onely of leafes, which hath not yet been expe∣rienced in medicinall uses.

The best Figges come from Massilia, which may be substituted in defect of Dactyls, * 1.349 they calefy moderately, nourish, lubricate the belly, but do not generate very laudable blood; they attenuate, leviate, maturefy, concoct and profit the asper artery, the reins, Lungs and Bladder; a dry Figge is called Carica; by the Greeks, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by which word Matthiolus designes Apias. Figg-Tree leafes move baemorrhoids if the Fundament be rubbed therewith: the so much celebrated Antidote, Mythridate, is made of Figgs, Rue and Nutts, whose composition we have described in the History of Rue. Figgs are of much more utility, which for brevity sake I will not recenseate; See Dioscorides (C. 183. and 184. Lib. 1.)

CHAP. XIX. Of Dactyls or Dates.

DActyls are the fruits of Palmes growing in Aegypt, Crete, and Judaea, which attaining maturity are by Galen called Phaenico∣balani; the best come from Judaea, they are great, flave, somwhat rugous, soft, but carnous, subdure within, white towards the Kernell, red towards the cortex, of a vinous sapour, they sound little or nothing when concussed; the flaccid hard and macilent are worse.

Now there is no small difference in Palmes, Galen himself be∣ing Judge, for some are dry and astrictive, as the Aegyptian ones; others soft, humid and sweet, as those we call Chariotae; but the best grow in Syria, Palestine, and many Eastern regions, where they suppeditate both meat and drink to the incolists.

The Trunk of a Palme is crasse, round, and high, rough with dense and gradate notches, by the adjument of whose inaequality, the orientall incolists can easily ascend their summityes; its leafes are Arundinaceous, long and acuminated, many proceeding out of one exortion, according to the longitude of the boughs; it beares much fruit on its summity, as it were racemously cohaere∣ing, but their pedicles are more prolix, whereof there are many sorts, but the sweet and succulent ones such as grow in Judaea, Sy∣ria, and Palestine are best: they are of a yellow or luteous colour, neither great nor yet small; the green, insuave, and juicelesse are naught.

Galen's judgement of the qualityes of the Palme, and its fruits is this: All the parts of the Palme-Tree, saith he, participate of an astrictive faculty; for the austere succe of its boughs, consists of an aqueous, tepid, terrene, and frigid substance. But its sweet fruits have much of calidity: they profit the stomack and breast, * 1.350 suggest laudable nutriment, and are meat for many Nations.

CHAP. XX. Of Olives.

THat Olives, and their fat juice called oyle, appertain to escu∣lents, each one knowes: for Olives nobilitate rich mens Ta∣bles to excite appetite, and their oyle is usurped not only in con∣fecting acetaryes, frying fishes, and praepareing other meats, but also in confecting unguents and salves.

Now Olives are the fruit of a Tree of a moderate magnitude; which the French call Olivetum; the Latines Olea, which, espe∣cially the sative, assurges with a long Caule; for the wild one is lower, with many oblong boughs laterally diffused, hard and pallidly virid like willow boughs, with white racemous flowers, whereunto oblong, carnous, succulent berryes called Olives, at first green, after black, with hard stones within, succeed: the fruit de∣rives its name from the Tree, and the succe from the fruit.

This Tree delights in dry places and hot regions, as in Spain, Italy, and France; for it willingly amplects a hot squalid air; it either growes not at all or else is sterile and tabid in the Septentri∣onall regions.

The Greeks call Olives drawing to maturity and blacknesse, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the French Drupae; when they are condited with salt the Greeks call them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: oyle simply so called is ex∣tracted from them when they are mature; Omphacinum, when

immature, but let herbalists be sought for larger treatises herea∣bout.

Immature Olives are astrictive, mature are temperate; when condited they recrate the palate, excite appetite, resiccate and roborate the too humid ventricle, nourish little, and yet not very laudable blood: we have else where treated largely of oyle, and its facultyes.

CHAP. XXI. Of Acerb Grapes and Raisons.

VIne is a name put upon many Plants, which agrees only properly to the viniferous ones, for they call Viburn, the blessed Virgins Sigill, and other tall Plants by this name; whereas the viniferous domestick is properly so denominated, whereof there are many differences desumed from their sapour, magnitude colour, and state of the Heavens.

In a generall acception all Vines are either white or black; but many are now variegated of a mixed colour, which are neither white nor black, but rather subrubrous, or flave, whose Wines are neither absolutely white, nor red, nor black, but mixed; flave, yellow and obscure according to the various colours of the Grapes from which they are expressed.

And as all mature Grapes are sweet, so all immature ones are acerb and insuave, whence Omphacium may be had out of any im∣mature Grapes, though it be most usually expressed out of such as are acid and more insuave when mature; whose branches are crasser and longer; which are deduced commonly to arbour, which beare crasse and acerb Grapes, whose succe goes to the con∣fection of Omphacium and syrup of Agresta.

Raisons are the mature fruits of the viniferous Vine, so called be∣cause they have indured exsiccatory calour, they may also derive that name from their sweetnesse as well as calour. As passum vi∣num or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, (i.e.) sweet, so all sorts of Raisons are sweet, except these of our Countrey, which dryed in an Oven are dulco∣acid.

All of them are temperately hot in the first degree, and very astrictive if they be eaten with their stones; and so they help the dysenterian: acerb Grapes refrigerate and astringe.

CHAP. XXII. Of the Curran-Bush, and Gooseberry-Tree.

THe Curran-Tree is a fronticose Plant, scarce aculeated with a∣ny spines, emitting many tortuous not erect boughs, and leafes like Vine leafes, but much lesse; and fruits congested like Grapes small, round, red and acid.

The Mauritarians call these red Currans Riben, whence our A∣pothecaryes borrowed their Ribes.

Botanicks constitute two sorts of this shrub, the one bearing red fruit which is better; the other black, which is not celebra∣ted for medicinall effects: there is also a third that beares white and gratefull fruit, some of the later writers call the former Ribe∣sium, and the other a species of the Gooseberry-Tree, so making the berryes of the former red, of the later white: but they differ much in effigies, colour, sapour, and magnitude.

For the Gooseberry-Tree is a spinous shrub, luxuriating with ma∣ny slender white and aculeated boughs, broad crenated serrated leafes, whitish flowers, and fruits not racemously cohaerent, but depending on long pedicles like berryes, they are at first green, afterwards white, and when mature flave.

Ribes refrigerate, siccate, astringe moderately and roborate; they extinguish the heat of Feavers, represse choller, contem∣perate fervid blood, quench thirst, arceate putretude, help in ma∣lign Feavers, in the subvertion of the ventricle, and dysenteriall affections arising from heat: a syrupe is made of their succe most efficacious and usefull for all these ends.

CHAP. XXIII. Of Berberryes.

BErberryes grow upon spinous shrubs, assurging with hard branches of five or six cubits heighth, their bark is smooth and whitish, their root flave, the matter of their wood luteous; their leafes numerous, rigid, acute, oblong, hard, dilutely green, cre∣nated and somwhat rough, their flowers depending on long pedi∣cles are luteous mossy and splendent, their fruits small, oblong, red and racemously cohaerent, this Plant and fruit are called Spi∣na acida, or Oxyacantha, by the shopmen Berberryes, deduced from Avicenna his Amyrberis, as Dodonaeus judges, who calls this fruit Oxyacantha not Oxacanthum, which Amybreris is the fruit of the acute or white spine, it is red, sweet and rotund, they vul∣garly call it Senella, and Berberryes Spinivineta.

Berberryes refrigerate and siccate moderately, * 1.351 astringe potently, cohibite the fluour of blood and other humours, allay the heat of the bowells, stay vomiting and recreate the intralls.

CHAP. XXIIII. Of Filberds.

NOthing is better knowen then these Nutts, the Greeks, call them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or small Nutts, Apothecaryes Filberds, or Abellines from the Town Abellinum in Campania: there they grow copiously, some call them Ponticae, because they come from Pontus; others Praenestinae, because the Praenestians useing these, tole∣rate hunger long.

They are either domesticall or wild, the domesticall are either long and reconded in long and herbaceous husks fimbriated a∣bout; or rounder with a shorter and more patulous husk. Those of the long ones are best that are contained in a red membrane; the wild are smaller and lesse gratefull, growing in Hedges and Woods.

All of them are gathered of a low Tree called a Hasle, whose boughs, if young, are streight enodose and obsequious, leafes broad acuminated and serrated about; bark, thin; root, crasse; both fruit and Tree are well known.

Filberds ingrede the confecture of Lohoc de pineis, they are some∣times incrustated with Sugar, that they may serve instead of jun∣kers, and eat more pleasantly, they are hard of concoction, they are somwhat Bechicall, and because of their pleasant sapour, may be admixed to pectorall medicaments.

CHAP. XXV. Of Fisticle-Nuts.

FIsticle-Nutts grow on a Tree like Terebinth, whose exteriour tegument is very thin, and green; the second lignous, fragile and whitish like a Nucament; the Kernell is greenish, dulco∣amare and jucund, Pliny saith that Vitellius first brought them out of Syria into Italy; and Flaccus Pompeius into Spain.

Their Tree was heretofore exoticall, but the sedulity of latter ages hath cicurated it, so that it now fruticates in many Septentri∣onall coasts, but its fruit seldome or never attains maturity: the Shopmen call them Festici; Posidonius Bistacle Nuts; most Pista∣cle Nutts

They are hot humid or temperate and salubre, * 1.352 they incrassate the tabid flegme, coct and expurge the matter contained in the Lungs, liberate the bowells from infarctures, augment the spe∣sperme

excite to venery, and auxiliate such as have pain in their reines.

CHAP. XXVI. Of Almonds.

AN Almond is not so like a Quince-Tree, as many write, for it is more frondose, taller, and more lasting; vested with a crasser barke, more angust, longer and crenated leafes; it sel∣dome fruticates in the Northern regions, and seldomer fructi∣syes, though its flowers are very patient of cold: for explicating themselves before Winter be ended, they tolerate frost in∣noxiously; and produce Almonds copiously in Autumn, which some cognominate Graecian and Thasian Nutts.

Some of these are amare, hotter, and lesse esculent; others sweet, culinary and more delectable: both grow on a similar Tree. Oyle is extracted out of both, out of the amare bitter oyle which they say is good for paine in the eares; out of the sweet, sweet oyle; which is temperate and most gratefull to nature, for it may be given successefully to all ages and sexes as to very infants, it is a most familiar and secure medicament for such as cough, it cocts and expectorates humours delabeing upon the Stomack.

Two memorable effects are praedicated of bitter Almonds to witt that they kill Wolves and arceate ebriety, whereof Plutarch tells a story; There was (saith he) a Physician with Drusius the Son of Tiberius Caesar, who being accustomed to eat bitter Almonds would superate all in drinking, and never be overtaken with te∣mulency.

The sweet ones being very pleasant afford many junkets, for they are decorticated and set upon the Table, or resiccated, or incrustated and condited with Sugar, or brayed and made into a sweet bread with Sugar and Rosewater called Macharones, * 1.353 or else made into a lacteous potion for puerperous women.

Bitter Almonds are hot and detersive; sweet ones are pretty temperate, gratefull to the Palate and Almonious.

CHAP. XXVII. Of Wallnuts.

THe Wallnut is called Nux juglans, as if one should say Jovis Glans, or rather Juvans; for Carpenters seeke to the Trunk of its Tree; Dyers to its barke; Boyes to its fruit; Apotheca∣ryes quaeritate its Medicinall use, which Mithridates knew, who confected his Antidote of Nutts, and a few other additaments; as also Galen who made his Diacaryon, or Dianutum, of their succe, with as much honey as might dulcorateit; with which

medicament he cured a gardener almost suffocated with swel∣lings, inflammations, and Kernells.

This Nutt-Tree is very grand, with nervous leafes, in face and cohaerence like Ash leafes, but greater; it growes in fields by high wayes in fat and restible ground, as also in Gardens, but because it affects and kills the vicine segetives and Plants with its odour, it is planted about Hedges and Margins of fields, according to that of the Poet.

Me, satane laedam, nam satis laedere dicor, Jmus in extremo margine fundus habet.

About Summers solstice its green and tender Nutts are excor∣ticated and infused in water till they demit their amaritude; then they are cocted, afterwards stuck with & Cinnamom Cloves, and then cocted in Sugar and kept, and so they will roborate the weak ventricle, and help concoction.

These Nutts dry do calefie and siccate, their Oyle which is ex∣tracted by contusion and expression, is calefactive; it digests, re∣solves, roborates the nerves, and discusses flatuosity, and there∣fore it is rightly mixed in Clysters against Colicall dolours, arise∣ing from flatuous and frigid humours.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of Pine-Nuts.

THe Pine-Tree, firre-Tree, Pitch-Tree, Cedar, and Laring-Tree are all very tall, coniferous, resinifluous, and almost all alike, but some of them are exoticall, not easily cicurable in our soyle, as the Cedar of Palestina and Lebanon; others are indeed Venaculous, but altogether, wild and Sylvestrian, never planted in Gardens, save for spectacles, as the Firre-Tree, Pitch-Tree, and wild-Pine: but the true Pine is more urbane and mansuet, which, when they have got a crasse Caule, emitt many boughs out of every side, vested with slender and long leafes aculeated about.

Its fruits are called Pine-Apples, which are compacted of ma∣ny membranes like scales, crasse, hard and lignous, in whose middles oblong, rotund, and sweet Kernells are involved in thin membranes which are somtimes called Pine-Nuts, somtimes Coc∣cali and somtimes Pinei.

This Nut is temperate, but rather acceding to calour, whence they inserve to venery; for they augment sperme and milke, nou∣rish much, conduce in inveterate coughs, and help such as are tabid.

Besides the true Pine there are many wild ones, as the three sorts of pitch Trees that delight in maritimous places, and some others that grow sponraneously in Rocky and montanous places, all of

them as also the Firre-Tree and Larinx-Tree are Lachrimous, and effuse either spontaneously or by vulneration, either more liquid or more spisse, whiter or blacker succes, whereof we shall treat in the sequell section.

CHAP. XXIX. Of Cypresse Nutts.

Cypresse is perpetually frondous, its caule is tall, round; crasse, and erect; fastigiated with an orbicular summity, with leafes like them of Pine, but more carnous, shorter, obtuse and amare with many folious, angust, graveolent and rough but not pungent boughs.

Its fruits are Cones or Nutts representing them in shape, which chinking or dehiscing with age and calour easily let fall their small seeds included in them; the matter of the wood is solid flave and odorate, very fitt for ligneous vessells.

There are two sorts of this Tree, the one masculine which is faecund, thrice annually bearing Nutts, in Jannuary, May and Sep∣tember; its effigies is very morose, it is graveolent, and not de∣lighted in shades.

The other is faeminine, which is sterile, neither beareing Nutts nor seed, its boughs are more extended; in other things it is like the masculine, for both are perpetually frondous, the same colour, odour sapour virtue and effigies in both: the Cypresse Tree is very patient of cold, never startling at Winters Frosts, yet the rigidity of the year 1608, killed all about Paris.

Theophrastus tells us that Cypresses grow in Creet spontaneously, without seed, as also in Mount Ida and other Mountaines; where he affirmes that he found Cypresses amongst snow (which their summityes never want) though they will not grow else where, un∣lesse they find tepour; there exudes a certain Rosine out of Cy∣presses of the consistency with that of Larinx, and a very sharpe sapour which is of rare use.

The whole Cypresse is calefactive, exsiccative and astrictive; * 1.354 but its leafes, buds, Nutts, and seeds are of most use, they roborate laxe parts, cohibite dysenteriall and cholicall affections, and stay humours.

CHAP. XXX. Of Bay-berryes, and its fruit.

THe Bay-Tree, called by the Greeks 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which was conse∣crated to Apollo, who coronated himselfe with a branch thereof for a signe of divination, is a shrub perpetually frondous and green, erecting its head to the just procerity of a Tree, with many and crasse boughs invested in green barke, with oblong, broad, mucronated, hard, green, and suaveolent leafs, white flo∣wers crupting out of the boughs, whereunto fruits or berryes suc∣ceed of an ovall figure black and gravidated with a solid stone, suaveolent, and amare with some acrimony.

This Tree germinates copiously all over France, I saw some in Normandy near the Sea of the magnitude of an indifferent Oake. but they grow more plenteously & largely in Italie & hot regions, for they do not tolerate such rigid Winters as the sepentrionall incolists feel, without harm; for the frost often kills their branches and leafes; however, these abscinded, new surcles arise in their stead. Many write that this Tree is not only free from percussion with thunder, but also any house wherein a bough thereof is repos∣ed: therefore Tiberius Caefar afrightned with the coruscations and fragour of Thunder, was crowned with bayes.

Bay-berryes calefye much, * 1.355 siccate, attenuate, and discusse flatu∣osity: they are mixed with medicaments that reficiate the lassi∣tude of the nerves; and with unguents, which calefye and resolve; their oyle expressed or elicited by decoction, deleats and cures scabs, blew places, wheales, and many faedityes of the skin, and discusses effused humours.

CHAP. XXXI. Of Juniper-Berryes.

JUniper is a lignous, ramous shrub, aequalizing an indifferent Tree in magnitude, vested with a membranous and frequently disrumpent barke; bearing berryes at first green, and by matu∣rity black, of the magnitude of Pease: its wood is flave like the Citrian Santulum, its leafes are angust and acuminated, rather re∣sembling spines then leafes, it growes spontaneously, and thrives best in dry and incultivated places, delighting more in montanous and squalid soyles then in plaine ones. This Tree alone prolongs its fruit for two yeares, which growing old will rather wither up∣on the Tree then decide. Juniper is very like Cedar, and by some called Oxycedrus, but ill: for though both have tortuous Caules, acute leafes, alwayes green, and small round berryes, yet they differ much; for Oxycedrus is an Exoticall Plant, with flave odo∣rate and pleasant berryes, its wood is red, it growes spontaneously in Asia, as Juniper in France.

Bellonius knew a greater kind of Juniper assurging to the alti∣tude of a moderate Tree, which beares berryes of the magnitude of filberds, or somtimes aequaliseing Galls, but ours is no whit lesse efficacious, but it is probable much better, and solely used in medicine.

Juniper effuses a certain resinous Gum, which Serapio calls San∣darax, the Latins Vernix; in whose stead some have substituted Sandaracha being deceived with the affinity of the words; now Sandaracha is a kind of auripigmentum, and exitial poyson, for there being three sorts of Arsenick, the croceous, by some called Risaga∣lum, the red or Sandaracha, and the white or vulgar, and all of them deletery, Sandaracha must needs be exitious and not safely usurp∣ed for Juniper-Gum. Pliny also uses Sandaracha in a farre more different sense, to witt for that meat that Bees eate, while they make their Combes which he somtimes calls Erithate and Cerin∣thus.

Juniper Berryes calefy, help the Stomack, move Urine, * 1.356 expurge crasse and viscid humours, are good against inflammations, grip∣ings, biteings of Serpents, Cough, and pectorall vices, they are convenient antidotall ingredients.

CHAP. XXXII. Of Galls.

GAlls are certain rough spurious fruits, which grow upon glandiferous Trees besides their legitimate ones; they erupt commonly in the night, when the Sun is going out of Gemini; at which time, if the weather be fervid, they tabefy, & never attain their perfect magnitude; they grow plenteously in Bohemia and Spain, upon many Oakes, on whose trunks, and boughs they ad∣haere often without pedicles,

There are many sorts of Galls, two whereof are especially ac∣commodated to make up medicaments and condense hides, the one is called Omphacitis, which is small, rugous, nodose, solid and perviated with no holes; the other plain, light, flave, more laxe within, larger, and perforated; out of whose holes comes a cer∣tain insect, or fly, or vermicle, or some such little animall for the most part.

The best Galls emerge out of those Oakes we call Hemeris and Robur. Hemeris is that that some call Midion, its caule is orbi∣cularly contorted, bearing many Acornes on the wings of its branches, and many Galls.

Robur is a Oake by Theophrastus called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, bearing Galls in great plenty, besides many Acorns and other small pills adhaere∣ing to the middle of its leafes without any pedicle, as we see in our Oakes. Oakes do not only beare Acornes and naturall branches, but misselto Galls, Apples, Whamps, and many more pseudo-fruits.

Galls are cold in the second, dry in the third degree, they astringe potently, * 1.357 contract laxe parts, roborate imbecill ones, co∣hibite fluxes, and are efficaciously usurped to astringe and siccate.

SECT. VII. Of Gums.

NOthing is more common then Cums, Rosines and Lacrhima's; yet nothing of greater controversy about their true knowledge and distinction amongst themselves: for scarce any Author that ever writ here∣of, but have promiscuously and confusedly mingled them together, reckon∣ing Amber, Ambergreese, Amoniacum, Sagapenum, Galbanum and Scammony amongst liquors. Weeker jumbles together, both Gums, Rosines, concreted Juices, and Liquors: others have described them with this and that Plant. We shall observe a better method, and distinguish Gums from Rosines, and both from Liquors.

CHAP. I. Of the succes and humours of Plants.

AS Hornes from Harts, and feathers and haire from many animals do annually decide: so do leafs, dawen, flowers & fruits from Plants, who also have their flesh, their nerves bones, veines, and also blood and humour destinated for each parts nutriment, and not only these, but their flowers also, as wo∣men have, which in certain circulations of seasons, flowe from them; as Tears from Vines, Gums from Cherry Almond and other Trees, Rosine from Lentisks, Pitch from Larch, and other liquors from other Trees, when they are molested with its quan∣tity: for as blood swells and troubles animalls, if it be too copi∣ous; so doth humours Plants, whereunto they give passage either spontaneously, or by art, that by their profluence they may find ease and incolumity.

Now a Plants blood is its proper juice, which according to A∣ristotle is Fig-Trees like milke, in Vines like an humour, * 1.358 in some like liquid Pitch, in other like oyle, in some like Gums, and the same Philosopher saith that some have succe like Rosine Myrrhe, Frankincense and Storax; some also have veines, belly and parts analogous to them of an animall, contrary to Anaxa∣goras.

This humour of Plants, which fayling, the Plants begin to fayle, and which being exsiccated, they tabefy, wants a common

name according to Theophrastus, and so are denoted by the vulgar word succe, which some call teares, others liquor, others humours which according to their various coctions acquire various spissi∣tudes and colours.

If we look at the consistency of these humours, some are thin and aqueous, others crasse and viscid, others harder, others such as may be condensed, and others such as cannot; and if we look at their sapour and quality, some are vincus as the succe of Vines, Apple-Trees, Mulberry-Trees, and Myrtle; others sat, as those of Olives, Nut-Trees, and Almond-Trees; others viscid and resinous, as those of the Firre-Tree, Pine, and Larch; otherssweet as those of the Figg-Tree, Palme, and Jujubs; others acrimoni∣ous as those of Origanum, Pepper, and Mustard Plant; and others amare, as those of Worm-wood, earth Gall, and Coloquin∣tida.

CHAP. II. What Gum is and how it differs from Rosins and other concrete Liquors.

THough the succes of Plants being multifarious cannot ac∣cording to Oribasius be easily comprehended, yet who so reduces them to certain heads and kinds, shall and may get cer∣tain knowledge of them.

Now this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, * 1.359 or succe is that humour wherewith a Tree is nourished, and which cannot be spontaneously elicited, but by praecedent triture, expression, or other praeparation; and it is al∣wayes thin unlesse it be exsiccated by calour, as we see in Rob, and other inspissated succes.

But Liquor is crasser, and such as will somtimes spontaneously, somtimes by vulneration delabe lachrimously, whence it is often called Tears: * 1.360 if this Liquor be oleaginous and liquid, we call it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Rosine; if more terrene, aqueous and concrete in the Trunks of Trees, * 1.361 we call it Gum; if it be partly terrene and aqueous, partly oleaginous and fatt, participating both of the na∣ture of Gum and Rosine, then we call it Gummy Rosine.

Now Gum that I may use the exoticall Idiome Commi, * 1.362 is a coagu∣lated Lachryma or tear, concreted in the Trunks of those Trees that produce it, (Gal. C. 40. L. de simp.) whose substance is more aque∣ous, as that of Rosine is more oleaginous. Gums, therefore should be admixed most to aqueous, seldome to oleaginous medicaments Rosine in the contrary, easily takes flame; but Gumme cracks in the fire; for though it come hott from stillation, yet is it presently coagulated in the air and becomes aqueous and hence Arostotle makes it to crack upon burning coles.

But since it is of many kinds according to the different nature of the Trees that produce it, for some Gums are coagulated hard

like a stone; others softer; some more pellucid or flave; others more obscure or pallid; some flowing from peregrine, others from indigenous Trees. I shall first treat of that which comes out of the spine Acacia, and is nominated Gumme simply.

CHAP. III. Of Gum-Arabick.

GUmme is an Arabick word, and when it is put absolutely; it must be understood of Gum-Arabick, which Galen calls The∣bane, some Babylonian, and others Acanthine Gumme. * 1.363 It flowes from a certain arbuscle, which Dioscorides calls Acacia, whereof he constitutes two sorts, the first assurging with a direct and lig∣nous caule, armed on every side with hard spines; vested with long leafes, which look as if they were constituted of many small leafes, cohaereing together; white flowers; short codds, * 1.364 like Lu∣pines; a glabre and splendent seed; which Matthiolus depinges ill.

The other Acacia growes in Cappadocia and Pontus, which is lesser, slenderer, and lower then the other, whose leafes are like Rue, and virgults aculeated, out of which a succe is educed which retaines the name of its Arbuscle, Acacia; because of whose rarity we substitute the succe of the wild Plum-Tree; out of which, laudable Gum flowes forth, at first pellucid as glasse, sincere and contracted into the species of a vermicle, afterwards white, sor∣did, resinous, and uselesse.

It is efficacious in spissating and refrigerating; * 1.365 it is commodi∣ously mixed with ocular and arteriall medicaments, it obstructs the pores of the skin, is represses prociduous eyes; that it may be more easily pulverated; it must be verberated in a hot mortar with a hot Pestell.

CHAP. IIII. Of Gumme Tragacanth.

GUm-Tragacanth is pellucid, white, sweet, light and sincere; which flowes from the vulnerated root of a certain Plant of the same name, this root adhaeres to the surface of the Earth, and emitts low and rigid surcles; whereon are many and slender leafes which cover white, straight, and firm spines: this arbuscle which the Greeks call Tragacantha, and the Latines Spina herci, growes in Crete and many places in Asia, which emitts its succe spontaneously, and without incisure, as Theophrastus asserts con∣trary to Dioscorides, who saith that this Plant hath no need of vulneration, which though it be exoticall and seldome seen by our herbalists, yet I saw it cicurated and florid in the Garden of Jo. Gonnerius that perite Physitian; yet its coagulated succe, which the Gentiles call Tragacanthum, and the Apothecaryes Dragagan∣thum is sufficiently known to all: it cannot be easily laevigated unlesse the Morter and pestle be hot.

Its use is commended to ocular medicaments, in a liniment with Honey or Sugar; * 1.366 it emends the roughnesse of the artery, coughs, retusenesse of voice, and other defluxions.

CHAP. V. Of Gum Ammoniacum.

THis Gum is called Ammoniack because it distills upon the Sands neare Jupiter Ammons Oracle; but from what Plant is uncertain. Pliny saith it flowes from a Tree they call Metopion, Dioscorides sayes it emanates both from a shrub they call Agasyllis, and from a ferulaceous Plant; but the ferulaceous Plants can scarce be called fruticall.

Galen asserts that it is the Tears of Ferula, from which is col∣lected both a sincere dense Gumme, conspurcated with no sordidi∣ty, and coacted into small glebes; as also an impure and inqui∣nated one which Dioscorides call Phyrama, who calls the other Thrausma.

That is good which is inquinated with no sandy, terrene, nor extraneous matter, effigiated like masculine frankincense, grave∣olent, and amare; the Apothecaryes call it corruptly Gum Armoni∣ack, it may be dissolved in Water, Vinegar, or White-Wine.

It is so efficacious a mollitive, that it dissolves the stoney disease of the Junctures, and discusses other tubercles; it cures indurated Milts, * 1.367 and in drink liberates from obstructions, it moves urine and flowers, and extrudes stones.

CHAP. VI. Of Lacca and Cancamum.

WHat Lacca, and what Cancamum are, whether they be both one or distinct, and what each of them is, doeth not ap∣peare by the writings of Authours. Serapio, Paulus, and Matthiolus believe that Lacca is that which Dioscorides calls Cancamum. Bra∣s••volus, Garcias ab horto, and Clusius think it is a distinct thing, who being desirous to find out the truth have lustrated various tracts of the world, and think that Lacca is not only distinct from Canca∣mum, but also unknown: for seeing it is only used for perfumes, and we have many more fragrant and suaveolent Thymiamata, it hath not been so diligently sought after; moreover being exoticall, the Tree from which it delabes, growing, as it is thought, in Arabia, our Merchants have not deigned it worth the search and portage: however it is a kind of Gum, of a virous sapour, sweet odour, and rare use. Now Lacca is destitute of both these qualityes frequently invented, neither the Arabian Chermes, nor the succe of Sorbe-Tree, nor Medlar-Tree; nor yet like Myrrhe, as Avicenna writes, who it may be knew it not; but if Garcias de horto may be credited it is a kind of Favago, and concreted liquor, on the boughs of a vast Tree, coacted by the sucking and help of winged Ants.

And this Tree growes not in Arabia, but in India, especially in the province of Pegu, where Lacca is called Trec, as also in Benga∣la and Malavar, where it is called Loc and Lac. Garcias indea∣vours to establish and confirme this opinion by reason and much History, striving also to prove out of Amatus Lusitanus, that Cancamum is an Aroma, otherwise called Anyme, whereof he con∣stitutes two varietyes, the one white, which also according to Brissotus a Physician of Paris, is Dioscorides his Cancamum; and the other somwhat black, which myrrhe or rather Mynea or Amy∣nea.

Thus the obscurity of the thing, * 1.368 drives us to the affinity of names, there to investigate the truth: but if I may speak freely, I think that Anyme, or Amynea as some will have it, Myrrhe and Cancamum are three distinct things: and that, that which the shopmen call Lacca is that same which the ancients called Canca∣num, who being ignorant of some words depromed from the Bar∣berians, believed such things as they heard though never so slack∣ly, and so by calling Cancamum Lacca, left this liberty of discussing to the ensuing posterity.

Some maintaine this opinion, saying that there are three sorts of Lacca, one is Dioscorides his Cancamum, which scarce any ever saw, the second common Lacca, the third factitious, which Dyers use, whereof there are more differences, which for brevitys sake I omit.

The vulgar Lacca is hard, pellucid, and yellow like Myrrhe, circularly involving the surcles of an exoticall Tree, which is not I think, elicited, elaborated, and cohibited to the boughs of that Tree by the sucking and labour of Indian Ants, as Garcias affirmes; but exudes and concretes spontaneously, like other Gummes and Teares, for these animalls, labouring for victualls in Summer a∣gainst Winter, do not expose their panifice, to the injuryes of the aire and Heavens, on boughs; but recond it in Caves and Holes, and few I hope will believe that Indian Ants will labour in vain for Lacca, and not congest and coact it for meat, but desert it. That which is brought to us, circumvests the sticks of the Tree, is hard and pellucid, easily dissolvable in water; and this in∣gredes the trochisckes of Carabe and Dialacca, and not the factiti∣ous Lacca as some perperously imagine.

It is not so much celebrated for medicinall as other mechani∣call uses, * 1.369 as to the makeing of sealing Wax, and infecting such tinctures as are put upon ligneous vessells, and adorning other co∣lours, for it makes them shine elegantly.

CHAP. VII. Of Dragons-Blood,

THe pervestigation of Dragons-Blood hath exercised many wits: for some following the erroneous opinion of Pliny, think that it is the Blood of a Dragon animate, smitten by an Ele∣phant, which errour Solinus doth not only, embrace, but holds that Cinnabaris is that same which Apothecaryes call Dragons-Blood. Serapio writes, that it is the succe of a certaine Plant, which he calls Sydrichis and Egilos, which our Herbalists think is the fourth species of Wall-sage, some ignorant Apothecaryes are imposed upon by circulators, and buy a kind of businesse tinct∣ed with red Earth, and the juice of Madder, and such things, con∣volved into lumps, for Dragons-Blood:

Brassavolus foolishly constitutes three sorts of Dragons-Blood: the first factitious of pseudobole; the second the lacrymae of a cer∣taine Tree; the third Gumme. But as the adulterate is no species of Dragons-Blood; so neither can there be two sorts, the one a La∣cryma, the other a Gumme of the same Tree, for all Gumms lacrymously distilling from any Tree, are called generally lacrymae.

Aloysius Cadamustus a noble Venetian, expresses its Originall better; There is (saith he) in an Island called Pontus Sanctus, which is one of the Canaryes, Dragons-Blood, which is the Lachry∣ma of a certaine Tree; which at a certaine season the incolists fau∣clate, out of which incisions the next yeare Gumme will emanate, which they coct in kettles, and defaecate making thereof Dra∣gons-Blood.

That Tree beares fruits like Cherryes in March, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an eximious sapour, and Venetian colour.

•• Monardus seems to assent to this opinion, and asserts that Dragons-Blood is the lachryma of some Tree, and not the Goare of any animall; for (saith he) a few dayes agoe, a Carthaginian Bi∣shop brought hither, from the continent of the new World, 〈…〉〈…〉 the fruit of that Tree, which emitts that Lacryma we call Dragons-Blood.

The fruit is very admirable; for the skin wherewith it is cover∣ed being taken away, a little Dragon appeares of such artificiall 〈…〉〈…〉 fabricature, that the most perite artist cannot better 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it in Marble; it is conspicuous with an oblong neck, a ••…••…ing mouth, an aculeated back-bone, a long tayle and feet.

From this fruit both the Tree and its Lacryma derived their 〈◊〉〈◊〉: that is best which is brought from Carthage,

The Tree is tall, with a thin barke, and easily vulnerable, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 name being unknown to the ancients, they wrote no cer∣tainty of the nature and originall of its Lacryma. Clusius saw the Tree and described it accurately.

Dragons-Blood then, is the name both of an exoticall Tree, and the hard purpureous Gumme concreted on its boughs.

It is collective and agglutinatory, and therefore fitt to conjoyn wounds, and astringe and roborate laxe parts: * 1.370 it may easily be dissolved in water.

CHAP. VIII. Of Asa foetida.

Many following the opinion of the ancients, constitute two sorts of Asa; one sweet and odorate, and the other Faetid and stinking; the later they say is the Arabian Altit, the former the A∣••…••… ••…••…yes Belzoni, and both come out of Laser or Laserpitium, but what sweet-Asa is, cannot yet be determined: Nay I think it ••••ore ignore to this latter age, then Asa faetida was to the anci∣ents, of which, they never make mention that I know of; but 〈…〉〈…〉 is so frequent in Pharmacopolyes, that it offends every young∣sters nose, in growes on a ferulaceous Plant, as Belzoin doth of a ••••ll one which I never find called Asa. But as the sapour, odour and Originall of each of them is different, so is their nomencla∣ture.

Now Asafaetida is the excrement, * 1.371 or Gumme of Laser or Laserpi∣tium, which Dioscorides calls Stilphion; Avicenna Altit, or Antit, the Indians A••j••den; and the Apothecaryes Assa, but more properly ••sa as if they should say Lasor, for Laser is a Lacryma; Laserpitium, a Plant out of which this Laser or Asa is cliched, not Assa; which ••ccording to Rhasis is an hearb that some call Hyssope, others Thyme: Now Laserpitium is a serulaceous Plant with an annuall

Caule, which they ••all Maspet••m; leafes like Apium, but flave broad and foliaceous feed; and a black, crasse, long and cubitall root. Garcias indeed doth boldly pronounce Asa •• Lacryma of Laser∣pitium, but exhibites a ••••june description thereof, speaking only a little of its leafes which he saith are like Hasse leafes. This Plant doth peculiarly avoid alb••••••••tivated places; and therefore by culture absolutely deviates and degenerates, as naturally ••••••∣ing culture (according to Theophrastus) to whom ferocity is ••••••••∣cular.

〈…〉〈…〉 of this Plant designed by a 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••∣ture 〈…〉〈…〉 Magudaris; it 〈…〉〈…〉 least 〈…〉〈…〉 its lead 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for (saith 〈…〉〈…〉 folium 〈…〉〈…〉 Magydaris differs from 〈…〉〈…〉 whether 〈…〉〈…〉 a part of the same Plant, or 〈…〉〈…〉 hereunto, it matters not; for Asa is the La••rym•• or Gumm•• o•• ••••∣serpitium, which is ••••••h••r taken from its root or from its cau•••• ••••∣ph••astus calls that of the root, Radicarium; and the other 〈…〉〈…〉

It g••o••es in Armenia; Media, Lybia, and Syris; wh•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 somtimes called the Lybian, somtimes the Medium, and Sy•••••• succe. They called it of old, the Cyrenian succe, because it g••ew copiously and well in the Cyrenian feilds, but that name is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 almost abrogated; for the Barbarians out of some hatred conceiv∣ed against the Cyrenians, eradicated and extirpated all their ••••∣serpitium, as Strabo denotes. The Syrian Laser is best after the Cyre∣nian, and the Median after the Syrian.

There are two sorts of Asa, the one pure, sincere, and transpa∣rent; the other turbid and impure, wherewith bran or Sagapen•• is mixed, whole halite and stinking odour it well resembles.

Hence the Germans call it the Devills dung: both of the•• ••••∣veny ••dor••te, but ••••••veelent, so that I cannot easily assent 〈…〉〈…〉 opinion who think that one sort of Asa is sweet; for neither ••••••∣dour of the one nor of the other can be tolerated without lo•••••• somnesse, whence I admite that Garcius should say that no ••••••∣ple ••e dicament in all India should be more in use then Asa ••••ti∣da•• both in medicines, and also in mea••••. The Indians are wont to mix it with the in Pot-hearbs in their pottage; having first ••••••∣bed their kettl••s there with, useing no other ••••••••••ment to any mea••, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to recall their appetite when they nause any thing. If this be not a fable, Asa must either not stink in India, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Indians must have br••seh throats as the Proverb goes this Asa is so ingratefull to us both in odour and sapour, that we can easi∣ly pardon Matthaeus Sylvaticus who reposed it amongst Poysons, yet Dioscorides commends it for meat.

Who enumerated so many and so great faculties, * 1.372 wherewith it is indued that he was able to most loath somnesse. The more recent hold it very efficacious, but only to a few affections; who never use it save against the ascent, and aberration of the uterus, and some other diseases appertaining to women.

CHAP. IX. Of Sagapene or Serapine.

Sagapene by Apothecaryes, Serapinum, is a concrete liquour 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ing out of the sauciated root of a ferulaccous Plant in Me∣•••••• whose description Dioscorides omitted because perhaps he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not so much knowledge of the Plant, as of the succe, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I neither yet saw, nor read designed by any authour; for be∣•••••• ••••••ticall it is either not cicurable, or if cicurated sterile, 〈…〉〈…〉 sucee, and marcid. Its concrete succe, therefore, is only 〈…〉〈…〉, the best whereof is translucid, yellow, white within, 〈…〉〈…〉 graveolent, and crasse in substance.

〈…〉〈…〉 calefyes in the third degree, siccates in the second, 〈…〉〈…〉 crasse Phlegme, and other viscid humours, as Mesue attests: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pu••gative faculty is in some very ignave, in others potent, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••her drunk, or used by way of suppository it evokes flowers, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the young; cures the dolour and praefocation of the uterus, ••••••••ves, attenuates, dissipates, moves, and solves.

CHAP. X. Of Galbanum.

GAlbanum is also the concrete succe of a Syrian Ferula copi∣ously growing in the Mountain Amanus; which succe some ••••ll Metopium. Dioscorides knowing this Gummeous succe better 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Plant, left nothing in writing of its dignotion; but as the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are well known, so also are their liquors and succes, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not only by their consistency, but colour, odour, sapour and ••••••tyes: for Galbanum in aspect repraesents Asa; in odour Opopa∣nax. The best is cartilaginous, syncere, like Gumme Ammoniack, not lighous, in which there is some ferula seed; graveolent, not very ••••••id, nor squalid; this as all other Gummes may be easily dis∣sol••••••d in water, Vinegar, or Wine.

It is excalefactive extractive, & discussive: it accelerates flowers, deliverance in Child-bearing, either by admotion, or suffumigati••; dissolved with Vinegar and mixed with a little nitre it deleats pimples, it discusses boyles and lumps on the junctures; * 1.373 it is ad∣••••••••d Poysons, and drives away Serpents.

CHAP. XI. Of Opopanax.

THat Opopanax is the succe of Panax, both its name demon∣strates, and Dioscorides affirmes; but seeing there are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sorts of Panax, it is not apparent, out of which of them it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mesue saies it flowes from the ferulaceous Panax; Dioscorides, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 th•• Heraclean; and some say, from the Chironian Panax.

Dodon••us tells us that it distills from a per••gri•••• Panax; 〈…〉〈…〉 the Syrian Panax; which hath ample, sharpe, hirs••••••, long and broad leafes, a geniculated and ••erulac••ous Caule, of 〈…〉〈…〉 four cubits heighth, supernally distermina••ed into many 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with luteous flowers erupting out of ample umbells; after which, broad, plain and subflave seeds do emerge, its root is whit•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 succulent and odorate, a Gummeous succe flowes out of it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vulnerated especially towards the root in summer; which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and many more call Opopanax; which is laudable for many uses, as the nomenclature of the Plant from which it flowes demon∣strates: for Panax or Panaces denotes the abigation of all do••••••s, and the remedy of all diseases; hence many Pseudomedicks call some medicaments which are more perilous then the diseases, Panaceous remedyes: thus did a lying drunken, vain, salacious Ps••••∣domedick deceive many Country and credulous persons while he lived.

Opopanax is a kind of Gumme easily dissolvable by water, ker∣cale••yes in the third degree, siccates in the second; mollifyes, di∣gests, * 1.374 attenuates, dissipates flatuosity, leniates and expurges: that which is very amate, white within, or somwhat yellow, ••ai•• un∣der, ••••iable, easily liqu••stible and graveolent is good; the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and loft is not good.

CHAP. XII. Of Sarcocolla.

SArcocolla is both the name of a peregrine Plant, and a Gumme flowing out of it; it growes in Persia, it is fruticous and spinose, with nodose boughs appressed to the Tree; which sauciated, and somtimes spontaneously, lacrymates a kind of Frankincense like Powder of a yellowish colour and amare sapour.

It calefyes in the second degree, siccates not so much, it cocts deterges, carnifyes, and glutinates; whence it is called Sarcocolla, * 1.375 for it heales wounds wonderfully, for it doth by a proper faculty, expurge them from filth, repleate them with flesh, and obduce them to a skarre.

The Arabians say, that Sarcocolla doth not only subduce the bel∣ly, but educe crasse and viscid humours from places much dissi∣ted, as from the cavityes of the Articles; but reason, and their effects seem to refragate this: it doth indeed with much efficacy conglutinate wounds, inhibite the fluxions of the eyes, and digest but not so much as Galbanum; if it be five dayes macerated in Asses milke, in a glasse-vessell, and the milk daily changed, it will exceedingly help such as have pearls, or dimme and clow∣dy eyes.

CHAP. XIII. Of Gumme of Jvy.

THe trunk of the greater Ivy vulnerated, and somtimes spon∣taneously, elacrymates a certain Gummeous succe of an aureous colour, graveolent and sharpe to the gust, which they call Ivy-Gumme. Now Ivy is a Scansory Tree, which circumvests walls, and vicine Plants; which it kills with its multifarious convolutions and virour.

Wherof there are two prime kinds: the one greater, which erects it selfe on high; the other lesser, which creeps along the ground with slender and obsequious branches, neither beareing flower nor fruit.

There are three varietyes of the greater Ivy; one is called white Ivy, because it beares white berryes; another black that beares black ones; and the third barren that beares none, which some take for the lesser Ivy.

The white beares white berryes, and somtimes white leafes, emitting certaine branches or capreols out of the midst of its leafs, wherewith it so strictly complects the Trees, that it kills them by sucking their humour from them; or so pertinaceously adhaere to

walls that they can scarce be sejoyned, for it emitts as many be∣ginnings and rudiments of roots, as it doth branches, and re∣maines so vivacious, that though intercised in many places, yet it tabefyes not.

The black and more vulgar which they call Dionysia, creeps upon Walls and old aedifices, and amplects Trees with its radi∣call fingers, its leafes are angulous; for at first they are triangu∣lar, afterwards more rotund, hard and nitent with perpetuall viridity, its flowers are small berryes, at first herbaceous, then black, adhaereing racemously upon oblong pedicles: other haede∣raceous matters are so notorious, as not to need further explica∣tion.

All Ivies are hot and seldome used in medicine; except the leafes, which are adhibited by way of Sparadrappes, to the fonti∣cles left by Causticks, that they may alliciate watry and serous humours to those parts; * 1.376 its Gum kills Nitts, which by its exceed∣ing calour impresses a sense of adustion and denudates the head of haires; for it is a good Psyloter.

SECT. VIII. Of Rosines.

CHAP. 1. What Rosine is, and of its Varities.

ROsine, by the Greeks 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is a lachryma or liquor, fat, * 1.377 and oleaginous, distilling from a tree, often spontaneously, and sometimes by vulneration: That which emergeth spontaneously, is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and by some 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

All Rosine consisting of an oleous substance, and tenuious parts, is more promptly dissoluble in oleous and affine liquors, and there∣in dissident from Gumme; which consisting of a more aqueous substance, is more expeditely and accurately soluble in aqueous liquors.

If we look to the consistency of Rosines, we shall finde them of two sorts; the one liquid, by the Greeks 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, humid or fluxile, as Turpentine; the other harder and dryer, by the Greeks, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, broiled, or rosted; such as Colophonia, so denomi∣nated from Colophon, whence it was of old brought: which is most dry, and most flave; yet its powder is white.

This is before the rest called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, confused, because it's indurated into a mass, from many congested together: for, it often happens, that the primisluous Rosine by negligent col∣lection, contracts and retains sand, stones, pieces of wood, or straws, or such sordidities; from which, that it may be purged, it must be melted, the extraneous rejected, and so it becomes purer, harder, and dryer.

There is another kinde of Rosine, concreting without the help of fire, which the Greeks call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, dry; which participating of no pinguetude, is presently dry, and called by Galen, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, a piceous germination.

That which is sold in shops being hard, flave, and fryable, * 1.378 is in∣deed a certain confused Rosine; for it consists of the lacryma of Firre-tree, Pitch-tree, and Pine-tree: which in accension makes a fume like Frankincense.

Galen makes much mention of the Strobilian Rosine, which some say flows from the Pine-tree, others from the Pitch-tree, others from Pine-nuts, which they call Strobili. This is the hottest of Ro∣fines; Turpentine is most moderate in both qualities: for, all Rosines califie and siccate; the Strobilian most, Turpentine least.

That is the dryest of all, which some call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, others Colo∣phonian Rosine; all them also are dry, that are purged by fire, and made fryable.

Firre-tree Rosine is moderate in both qualities, which some do ill call Colophonian Rosine, for it remains long liquid: it siccates little, and flows but in small quantity, and therefore more pre∣cious.

Turpentine is preferred before all other Rosines, Mastick is next, then Firre-tree Rosine, then Pine-Rosine, and then Pitch.

Rosines are of much use, not onely in Pharmacy, but many other things; they mollifie, califie, digest, and are good ingredients in salves and unguents, for the curation of wounds and ulcers.

We have in the Section of Fruits, treated of the Pine, and other coniferous Trees.

CHAP. 2. Of Pitch.

THese words, Pix, Teda, Pissa, Palimpissa, Zopissa, Pissaphaltos, and Pix navalis, often occurre in the narration and dilucidation of Rosines; but what they denote, every one knows not at first sight: Pix then or Pitch, is the flux of combust Rosine; or rather, a fat and rosinous liquor, colliquated and educed out of the middle of a Pine∣tree accended.

Teda is not a tree, as Pliny falsly asserts, but a disease hapning to the Pine-tree by age; wherein it is as it were strangulated by its too much pinguetude: for the abundance of that rosinous matter, wherewith the whole Tree is referted, is its ruine; which going in∣to a Teda, may by artificial sedulity be accended, and it will effuse Pitch; which the Greeks call Pissa.

Palimpissa, is iterated or twice-boiled Pitch; that is, when by a second liquid coction and elaboration, it is made more crass, pure, harder, and dryer: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is dry Pitch.

Zopissa, is Pitch deraded from off maritimous ships; which, be∣cause of its contracted saltness in the Sea, is more efficaciously ex∣siccative and discussive: Some call it Apochyma.

Pix navalis, so called from pitching-ships, is that which is de∣raded from ships lately pitched, as Zopissa, of a longer continuance: when Pix navalis is put absolutely, Zopissa should be taken; and when Zopissa, this.

Pissaphaltum, is Pitch mixed with Bitumen, which the Ancients used in conditing dead bodies. Yet Dioscorides thinks it is no arti∣ficial, but a natural commixture: for (saith he) that which we call Pissaphaltum, grows in the Apollinatarian field, near Epidaurus. But we will treat more largely hereof, in the Chapter of Mummy.

Pitch differs from Rosine in this, that Pitch is educed by fire, and Rosine erupts spontaneously: They are both the product of

the same Trees, but Pitch is as it were cocted Rosine.

The eduction of Pitch, is effected after the manner that we make Charcoal; for the middles of the Pine-trees are cut into spears, and congested upon an artificial Pavement; then the boughs of Firre and pitch-tree superimposed; then all so covered with earth, clay, or such incombustible matter, that no chink be left anywhere, save on the top, or other more convenient place, whereat they may immit the fire, and at first emit the flame: but when the Tedae are accended, they occlude all very strictly and closely, lest the flame should erupt, and they be frustrated. If any chink dehisce, and ad∣mit any flame, or fume, they presently obstruct it: The Clusters of of the Pine thus aestuating by the heat of the fire, emits Pitch co∣piously into certain chanels artificially structed, which carry it to troughs, and they to other vessels, set on purpose to receive the tor∣rent. Now it acquires its Nigretude by the fume and heat, whence it is called Black Pitch: for, that which is flave, is rather Rosine then Pitch.

That which extills first, is more fluid and humid, which the shop∣men call Liquid Pitch: Pliny calls it Cedria; Dioscorides, Pisselaeon; which is rightly so had, by separating the aqueous humour, which saims upon the Pitch, as Cream upon Milk. Now it is best sepa∣reted, while the Pitch is cocting, by suspending a clean fleece of wooll in the fume of the Pitch, which will become madid there∣with; and that we call Pisselaeon may be expressed out of it: which is not properly a simple medicament, but rather a compound of Pitch and Oyl.

That which comes out second, is more crass and dry, and the last most crass, and hardest, and most efficaciously exsiccative.

There is another kinde of suaveolent liquid Pitch, which Sepla∣suries call Oleum Cadinum; sometimes Tarre; which is most used upon Sheep and Cattel.

Seeing all Pitch is either liquid, or more sicce; the sincere, light, and splendent in both kindes, is most laudable; the liquid molli∣sies, digests, abates dolour, cocts, moves snot, extricates the nails from scabrosity, emends Ring-worms, * 1.379 discusses the hardness of the Matrix and Fundament: the dryer performs the same effects, but more imbecilly; but it siccates more potently, and is more accom∣modated to agglutinate wounds and ulcers.

CHAP. 3. Of Turpentine.

THe true Turpentine, is had from the Turpentine-tree, which the Greeks call Termintho; for it is a fat liquor, flowing from its boughs and trunk: The best is clear, pellucid, white, sharp, and odorate. That also which hath these qualities, and is somewhat flave, is good. That which comes from the Island Chios, and is

thence called Chia, is most celebrated, for its antecellency in odour and gust: The next is the Lybian Turpentine, as Andromachus himself attests; the next is the Pontian Turpentine: The less celebrous are the Cyprian, Syrian, Indian, and Arabick Turpentines.

The Turpentine-tree is concocted, fructious, and of a mean ma∣gnitude, with a crass caul, many and oblong boughs, long leaves, like them of an Ash; many cohering to one pedicle, but crasser and fatter, each of them seeming like a Laurel leaf: its flowers are very small, mossy, and purpureous; its fruits small, racemously co∣hering, round, oblong, hard, fat, and rosmous, infecting the con∣trectants hand.

It bears also certain oblong Cods, incurvated like Cornicks; wherein certain little Vernicles, like Gnats, are included; and sometimes a certain humour, as in the vescicles of Elms: The mar∣ter of its wood is viscid, and not hard; its roots are valid, and deep.

One sort of the Turpentine-tree is masculine, which is sterile; another foe minine, which is soecund: and this, for the various co∣lour of its fruit, is twofold; the one hears red fruit, of the magni∣tude of Lentills; the other greater, pallid, and more fragrant.

It grows copiously in hot Regions, and germinates most floridly there, where its liquor mutuates cognominations, as in Chies, Cy∣pr••s, Syria, about Ida, and Macedonia. Some there are that avouch, That hard, dry Turpentine, so concreted by the help of fire, is brought over and fold with us for Rosine. But I think, that none will coct Turpentine to lose by it, unless he be out of his senses: for Turpentine, be it how it will, is alwayes in more esteem, and at a higher rate then Rosine, be it concreted with all the industry and helps that can be.

There flows a certain humid Rosine out of Larch-tree, which be∣ing like Turpentine, is often sold to our Merchants in stead thereof: But Larigna is sharp in odour, gust, and faculties; and also of more tenusious parts, and more discussive then Turpentine.

Turpentine is the Prince of Rosines, Mastick is the next, and then the Rosine of Firre and Pitch-tree; after which, we enu∣merate Pine-Rosine: yet Galen prefers Mastick before Turpen∣tine.

Turpentine is the mildest of Rosines, * 1.380 the most familiar Balsame for wounds; it califies moderately, mollifies, expurges, discusses, purges the reins, moves urine, and is an excellent praesidy for many uses. They know what eximious faculties it hath, who labour under a virulent flux of Sperm.

CHAP. 4. Of Frankincense.

FRankincense is the rofinous lachryma of a certain arbuscle in Arabia, which the Incolists call sometimes Conder, sometimes Lovan: whereof there are two forts; the one is Masculine Fran∣kincense, which is somewhat flave, limpid, pellucid, fat and dry; in purity emulating the Cedar-Rosine; in Nitre, it's succe: it may be it is called Olibanum Thw, because it comes from the Mount of Lebanon, with the Greek article before it.

The other is the Foeminine Frankincense, which is more rosi∣nous, soft, and liquestible, which yields in bonity to the former: They both flow out of a Plant, scarce known, save by some notes, because it is peregrine, growing in Arabia, with leaves like the Ma∣stick-tree: whereof there are two forts; the one montanous, which fruticating onely on rocky and rough Mountains, bears the best frankm••••cense; the other growing more copiously in plain places, emits Frankincense in much more abundance, but not so good: both of them are easily dissoluble in Oyl.

The bark of the Frankincense-tree, is crass, fat, odorate, light, smooth, and without membranes: it is indued with the same facul∣ties, but more hot, astrictive, and of crasser parts then Frankin∣cense.

Manna thur is, is that same dust or powder which is elicited from Frankincense by Collision in carriage, or the like, as we have ••••ed before. Frankincense is both introsumed, * 1.381 and applied ex∣transecally with much success; for it is indued with innumerable exi∣tious faculties, which to recenseate, would require too much of time and labour. It califies in the second degree, siccates in the third, and moves Phlegm, but not very efficaciously.

Manna thuris is astrictive, because of that portion of Frankin∣••••se that is mixed with it; from which it differs, in that it is not so potently astrictive, nor coctive.

CHAP. 5. Of Belzoin.

BElzoin is neither a species of the succe of Laserpitium, nor of Cyraniacum, nor yet of Myrrhe, as some contend; nor yet the rosinous succe of Angelica, as Ruellius seems to intimate. For Laser, or Asa, comes from Syria, Cyrenene, and India, into other Regions; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from Samatra, Sian, and other Regions, into India; which grows not on a ferulaceous plant, but a tall tree, whose caul is crass, h••rd, brachiated with many boughs, very orderly disposed, and la∣terally extended; its leaves oblong and mucronated, like Lemmon∣tree

leaves, but not so green; for their averse part is whitish; its wood is hard and odorate.

It grows spontaneously in many woods, both in Malaca and other Regions: whereunto, the frequency of Tygers hinders ad∣dress.

Where these fierce animals are more rare, the trees are vulnera∣ted by the Incolists, which effuse copiously this odorate Rosine, which the Chineans call Cominhan, the Arabians Lovaniaoy; the Incolists of Guzarata and Decan, Udo.

There are three sorts of Belzoin: * 1.382 the one called Almond-Belzoin, because it is maculated like condited Almonds, which is most ex∣petible: the other two sorts are very black; the one whereof is not very fragrant, and more vile; the other very fragrant, which exudes from new trees, and is by the Incolists of Samatra called, Be∣nini de Boninas: the best, is that which is pellucid, referted with white spots, like Frankincense, and most fragrant.

Belzoin roborates the heart, spirits, and all its faculties: it is a good ingredient in sweet Antidotes, * 1.383 and Medicaments composed for ornament. It is dissoluble, as other Rosines, in oleaginous liquors.

CHAP. 6. Of Euphorbium.

EUphorbium, derived its Name from Euphorbus King Juba's Doctor; which it retains till this day. Dioscorides saith, its tree is a kinde of ferula pregnant with most sharp succe; whose extream fervour the Incolists fearing, they circumligate the tree with sheep-skins, and vulnerate its boughs with long spears; out of which wounds flows copious succe into the skins, which there concretes.

But Dodoneus thinks it is not a tree, but rather an herb, with ob∣long, crass, and green leaves, rotundly angulous, armed with two sets of white pricks; which leaves sauciated, effund a most sharp and mordacious liquor, which is easily concreted: for, as Galen writes, it is caustical and vulnerative, and so califies and extenuates, that therein it exuperates all concrete liquors.

It being thus acrimonious, and very tenuious, it cannot be pul∣verated without great molestation: wherefore Pharmacopolists commit it to rusticks, and men of low degree, to bray; charging them to avert their heads from its halite: Yet they escape not its fe∣rity; for their brain and noses are moved by its dust and vapour, to sternutation, heat, heat and dolour. Its plant at first seems an herb, but by years grows to a tree.

Besides its eximious heat and acrimony, it is somewhat purga∣tive, * 1.384 educing not onely phlegm, but water; yet it is never introsumed at the mouth alone, nor mixed with others, save in very small quan∣tities.

CHAP. 7. Of the Rosine of the Aethiopian Olive, improperly called Gumme Elemni.

THat fat liquor which shop-men call Gumme Elemni, is no Gumme, but a Rosine, which will easily take flame, and dissolve in cleaginous liquors. Dioscorides saith, it is like Scammony, but more flave; turgent with small stillicides, no whit vellicating the tongue, nor mordacious to the gust: whence, it is probable, he means of another lacryma, and not of this vulgar one, which the vulgar Pharmacopolists call Gumme-Elemi; it stills out of the Aethiopian Olive, and when it is concreted into lumps, is brought to us.

It califies, mollifies, digests, resolves, cocts, draws to suppera∣tion, allayes dolour, and is very good for permistion, with many unguents and salves.

Our Olives, and whilde-Olives, eructate such a kinde of lacryma, but neither so copious, nor commendable, yet is a good liniment for hebetude and whiteness in the eyes: and if it be assumed, it mores fluors, and extracts the young; but I would not have it in∣trosumed, if it be poyson, as Dioscorides makes it.

There is a kinde of Rosine brought out of New-Spain, which the Indians vernacularly call Tacamahaca, like Gumme-Elemi, * 1.385 so vul∣garly nominated. The Indians use it very much, to coct, digest, re∣solve, and allay frigid humours. Nic. Manard, recenseates many of its faculties, (L. de Simpl.)

There is another sort of fat, oleaginous, and tenacious Rosine, related to Tacamahaca, which the Indians call Laranna, * 1.386 who use it in humours, and all kinde of dolours. But seeing we determine not to treat of all Rosines, but onely of such as are usurped in our Antidotary, we will put an end to this Section.

SECT. IX. Of gummeous Rosines.

ALL concrete liquors, erupting from ferulacious Plants, Fruits or Trees, that are to be washed with water, are denominated (and not without reason) Gummes; because they have their original from a certain fubstance, that will easily admit of dissolution; and therefore they are enu∣merated in the regiment of Rosines; as, Mastick, Camphyr, and Storex, and many others: which sometimes are called Gummes, and sometimes Ro∣sines: Concerning which, we intend to speak in this following Section with much brevity.

CHAP. 1. Of Mastick.

MAstick is the best of gummeous Rosines; it exudes from the Lentisk: that which comes from Chios, and is odorate, can∣did, splendent, fryable, adulte, and scorched, is best; the green, and black, like Bitumen, are worse. Theophrastus saith, That the spine Ixina exuctates Mastick; but that of the Lentisk is best for medicinal uses (if there be any other.)

The Lentisk is a very rall tree, by the Greeks called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from whose root branches erupt like Hasle sprigs, brachiated with tough and flexible boughs: its leaves cohere by eight together upon one pedicle, which are like them of Liquoris, but harder: its flowers are mossy, and many, adhering to long pedicles, whereunto berries of the magnitude of Vetches, succeed; which at first are green, by maturity black, of a fat substance, and turgent, with a black and hard Nut.

There grow upon Lentisks, besides their flowers, leaves, and fruits, certain Utricles intorted like Cornicles, wherein a certain liquor is contained, which produces some insects like Gnats, as in Elms, vesicles.

Its wood will make special tooth-picks, which will not onely purge, but roborate the teeth, constringe the gums, and conciliate sweetness of breath: its eximious faculties make it a good substi∣tute for Xylobalsame.

Lentisks will scarce fruticate in Lutetia; yet I saw two in Jo: Gonerius his Garden, but they could scarce tolerate the Winters rigidity.

Mastick is celebrated for many things, but especially for allaying the dolours and affections of the stomack and ventricle; which does either by assumption or admotion: it takes away all loathsomness

towards meat, roborates the retentive faculty, and helps coction: it cures such as spit blood, or are infested with an inveterate Cough: it emands the breath, if commanducated, and gently tracts phlegm from the brain: it should be sprinkled with a little Rose-water, that it may be pulverated; it will easily dissolve in aqueous and oleagi∣nous liquors.

CHAP. 2. Of Camphyre.

CAmphyre is neither Bitumen, nor Medulla, nor compound Medicament, as some believe; but a certain pellucid gum∣meous Rosine, unknown to Dioscorides and the ancient Greeks, flow∣ing from a peregrine tree, which Garcias ab Horto saith, is like a Walnut-tree, but its leaves are more candicant: The matter of its wood is cinericious, or somewhat blacker; not light or fungous, but pretty dense and solid.

This tree is tall, with boughs on every side, and of a fair aspect, which eructates lacrymae; no whit more copiously when it thun∣ders and corruscates, then when the heaven is serene, as many think.

This lacryma flows through the chinks of the tree, like other Gummes: it needs no coction to concilitate candor; for if dust, filth, or the fragments of any stones or wood be mixed with it, that happens through the oscitancy and errour of the collectors: the sincere splendent and odorate is best.

Hereof there are two sorts; the one, Camphyre de burneo, which is best, and is seldome or never brought to us; the other, * 1.387 Cam∣phyre of China: whence Pharmacopolists have it frequently: it is of much use in those Regions where it grows, so that they some∣times use it amongst their meats.

Some assert, That it califies in the third degree; others affirm, That it is frigid: Many reasons might be brought for both, which for brevity sake I omit; and attest, That it is good both in hot and cold diseases: for it is of a mist quality, and seems by its odour and tenuity of its spirit to be calid, though its other qualities demon∣strate its frigidity.

Many think, that Camphyre arceates the stimulations to venery, and hinders conception: Whereupon, Scaliger being not too credu∣lous, made tryal thereof, and found all to be false. Camphyre may be easily pulverated, with the addition of a little water: it is eafr∣ly dissolved in aqueous, oleaginous, and fat liquors.

CHAP. 3. Of Storax.

STorax is the gummeous and rosinous concrete and dry succe of a certa in Syrian tree, none whereof is liquid, humid, and fluxile, as some have judged, who constituted two sorts of Storax, to wit, the humid, and the sicce, both flowing from one tree: But the sto∣racifluous tree distils onely a coagulable lacryma, which presently concretes to a dense, fat, and rosinous lump: no portion turning in∣to fluxile liquor, as the old and false opinion of the Arabians avers, whose defendants were deceived by the affinity of the word Storax and Stacte, which in consistency, odour, sapour, quality, original and nature, * 1.388 are farre dissident: For Stacte is the pinguetude of new Myrrhe, tunded and expressed with a little water, and reducted to the liquid form of an unguent; or rather, the fat creamy Gumme of Myrrhe, or the fat Oyl of Myrrhe tunded and expressed; or its succe educed by some tortive instrument.

The Stacte which is oleous, is best; it participates not onely of the calefactive quality, but many other faculties of Myrrhe.

As soon as Storax erupts out of the tree, it concretes into a hard, dense, solid, and rosinous lump, with some white spots in it, and ve∣ry fragrant. That which comes from Pamphilia in reeds, and is fat, viscid, white with spots, and of a persevering odour, is best; the furfurous, hoary, and inodorate, is naught. There comes also very good to us from Cyprus, Sidon, and Pisidia.

It eructates out of a tree, like a Quince-tree, but its leaves are lesser, less rigid, and hoary on the averse part: its flower is white, of the magnitude of an Orange-tree's flower, but not so in odour: small berries included in three ungles, and adhering to long pedi∣cles, grow on its surcles. The concreted liquor of this tree, is much celebrated, which besides the aforesaid qualities, permanes very long suaveolent.

Storax califies, * 1.389 mollifies, concocts, cures the Cough, heaviness, hoarsness; and whether introsumed or applied, opens the Matrix, and moves flowers: it is a good ingredient for cordial and laetifica∣tive Antidotes; it is adverse to such poisons, as hurt or kill by refri∣geration. By way of liniment, it discusses swellings in the neck, and knots of sinews.

AN APPENDIX. Of gummeous Rosines improperly so called.

There are certain concrete liquors, which fall within the verge of our In∣stitutions, which do possess a medium between the nature of Gumme and Ro∣sines; neither are they so easily nor speedily dissolved with water, as some are; nor with oyl, as others: but either they subside, or burn to the bottom, or else grow harder; and so thereby are more averse from commixion: Of which sort are Bdellium and Myrrhe.

CHAP. 4. Of Myrrhe.

MYrrhe, which the Greeks call Smyrna, is the concreted gum∣meous succe of a certain tree, growing in many Regions in Arabia, as Sabe, Adramyta, Citibaena, and Mamali. This myrrhifluous tree is of a moderate magnitude, with a hard caul contorted towards the earth; smooth back like Purslain, and aculeated leaves like an Elm. Dioscorides makes it like the Aegyptian Spine; others like the Turpentine-tree: Diodorus assimilates it to the Lentisk; yet so, as it is more spinous and lower, for it is seldome above five Cubits light.

It grows most frequently in saboulous, dry, and incultivated pla∣ces, but most floridly in cultivated soyls: They incide it from the root to its boughs, out of which wounds it emits Myrrhe; but it spontaneously distils a kinde of stillatitious dew before its back be opened, which they call Stacte, and many imperite Pharmacopo∣lists, Liquid Storax; falsly asserting, That it distils from the same Tree. But we have before declared, that they flow from different trees, and that there is no liquid Storax, unless that we call Stacte, whic his no Storax.

But I return to Myrrhe, and the arbuscle from which it flows, which is exotical and prergrine, rough, spinous, with sharp and reuleated leaves, and in sapour like Juniper: It delights and fruti∣cates copiously, in the same soyl and region with Frankincense∣trees: its wound elacrymates a coagulated Gumme, of the same name with the tree. That which is fragile, smooth, concolorate in small lumps, amare, acrimonious, odorate, and hath veins candid, and smooth like nails, is best.

That which is collected of the sative tree, is better then that of the sylvestrian: but that is preferred before all, which bears the name of the place where it is had, and is called Troglodytical Myrrhe, which is somewhat green of colour, splendent, and mor∣dacious.

There is one sort they call Pediasimos, another Gaby; both which are good, and emit plenty of Stacte. There are two bad sorts, one they call Caucalis, which is black and torched; the other Ergasima, which is the worst, it is macilent and hoary: there is also another called Mynaea, as ill as can be.

There is so much affinity betwixt Myrrhe and Bdellium, that many think they do not differ: but the contrary shall be proved by and by; both of them may be dissolved in watery and oleous li∣quors, but neither accurately nor easily.

Myrrhe califies and siccates in the second degree, * 1.390 opens the oc∣cluded Matrix, moves flowers, and accelerates the deliverance of young: Commanducated, it emends the graveolence of the mouth.

Stracte, which is much celebrated for its suavity and efficacy, may be substituted for Opobalsamum, but Stracte is more rare: it robo∣rates the stomack and principal parts, arceates putretude, recreates the spirit, and cures many diseases from the Uterus and brain.

CHAP. 5. Of Bdellium.

THere is a tree in Bactria, which is black, of the magnitude of an Olive, with leaves like an Oak, and fruit like a Fig-tree, not insuave, whose lacryma some call Brochon, some Malathram, o∣thers Maldacon, and the Pharmacopolists Bdellium.

That which is amare to the gust, translucid when broken, fat when rubbed and incended, odorate, liquestible, like Wax, or Bulls-glue, soft, and void of sordidity, is approved. Galen com∣mends the Scythian, Pliny the Bactrian, Dioscorides the Saracenian Bdellium.

The Indian, sordid, black Bdellium, convolved into gobbets, is the worst: some call it Adrobolon; that which grows in Media, called by Physicians, Parthian Bdellium.

Furthermore, out of what tree Bdellium exudes, is not concluded of amongst grave and learned men; some say it flows from one like that which emits Myrrhe; other affirm the contrary: Neither can I at present determine this doubtful cause. Perhaps they both come from plants much alike, one from a sative tree, the other from a wilde one; as we see many Apples, Pears, and Plums, much dif∣ferent in odour, colour and sapour, which grow on trees very much agreeing. However, Bdellium is no whit rare, and we have it as good as ever the Ancients designed it.

It califies, * 1.391 mollifies, resolves, it discusses hardness, and gurtural tumours, and humid burstings; it relaxates the spiracles of the Matrix, either by admotion or suffumigation; it extracts floors, young, and all humours. Being drank, it breaks the stone, and expels urine; it is excellent for mixture with a Pultess, against the hardness and knots of sinews.

SECT. X. Of other humours and juyces arising from Plants.

THe humour of Plants (saith Theophrastus) by an usual Nomencla∣ture, called Juyce, is the proper blood of the Plant; which if the Plant wants, it withers and perishes, but if it abounds, it waxes young and flourisheth: but this succe or humour, is various, according to the variety of the Plant. For in some it is crass, liquid, viscid, glutinous, fryable, gum∣meous: In others, fat, oleous, odorate, rosinous: In some, melleous, la∣cteous, salsuginous, as we have declared before. Of gummeoue, rosinous, and oleaginous Juyces, we have spoken sufficiently before. It remains nor, that we treat of other Juyces more gross and terrestrial.

CHAP. 1. Of Opium.

POppy is either sative or wilde, of both which there are many species: the succe expressed and concreted from the satives, is called Meconium; * 1.392 onely the lacryma or succe of the black Poppy, whether spontaneously, or by vulneration, eructing from its heads, is for its dignity by the Greeks called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by the Latines Opium.

Whereof there are many varieties, respondent to the varieties of the Regions where it is collected. The Theban Opium, and that which is brought from Cairus, are whitish, and the best; those that come out of Syria, Alexandria, and other Regions, are black, and not so good: the latter Writers also assert, That the best Opium flows from white Poppy. That which comes from Cambaia, flows from the great Poppy, there called Carcax; each of whose heads equalizes in magnitude an Estriches Egge: so that it is no won∣der, that such plenty of succe should erupt from them when vul∣nerated.

All agree not about the qualities of Opium: for Dioscorides, and many more, say, it is cold in the fourth degree; * 1.393 Matthiolus opposes them, from its odour and acrimony. I think, it is of a mist quali∣ty, participating of a light and fugacious calidity, but a more va∣lid and contumacious frigidity.

Besides its elementary qualities, it hath others also, which much commend it, if exhibited opportunely, and in a just dosis, and much discommend it, if unduly used; for it doth not onely induce tre∣mour and palsey, but leads to a perpetual sleep.

Rightly prepared, and rightly administred, it helps much; for

it cures perpetual watchings, by conciliating sleep; it allayes and deceives the fierceness of any dolour, by making the sense more stupid.

It is much used in Mauritania and Asia, where they call it Amfium and Osium, as though Opium were the most admirable exhilarator of the minde, and erecter of the body: whereunto they have so accu∣stomed themselves, that if they should totally abstain from it, they would periclitate their lives.

The Turkish Souldiers used to eat it, that they might be more chearful for battel, and like drunken or mad-men, precipitate them∣selves carelesly into danger.

Some think it stimulates to venery; but reason and experience re∣fragate its use, rather arceating its heat, by making the motion of the flesh more ignave.

CHAP. 2. Of Elaterium.

ELaterium is numerated among mochlical Medicaments, which agitate the body by a turbulent motion; which though it be violent, yet Hippocrates used it (Sect. 2. Lib. de loc. in hom.) Now it is seldome usurped, except in a few Regions in Italy, where some take it, for the curation of such diseases as milder remedies will not profit.

Elaterium, according to Theophrastus, is the inspissated succe of a wilde Cucumer, which by a special propriety will keep two hun∣dred years; it is (saith he) the most diuturnal of all Medicaments; and that is best which is oldest: which to experience, a certain Medick having received some for a gift, very old, kept it till its two hundred years were expired. The cause why it endures so long, I think is its copious humour, whereby it extinguishes a Candle, if it be set near it, till fifty years be perfected. The manner of its ex∣traction and inspissation is notorious; which he that knows not, may learn of Dioscorides.

Wilde Cucumer, which we call anguine or asses Cucumer, is very like the sative, onely its leaves are not so angulous, and more hoary: its fruits are lesser, palely green, and full of seeds and succe, which leap out at the first touch, like siliquous Arsmart, which they thence call Nolime tangere.

The wilde Cucumer, * 1.394 and succe of its fruit, which they call Ela∣terium (saith Galen) are accommodated to Medicine: The succe is very amare, hot in the second degree; it moves flowers, kills young, and by moving the belly educes waters.

CHAP. 3. Of Ladanum.

LAdanum is a kinde of liquor exuding out of the leaves of Ci∣stus, growing in Cyprus, where it is called Ledon; which, if Dioscorides say true, is collected by the she-goats: for the Kids and Goats feeding upon the leaves of Cistus, whose innate pinguetude in the spring-time they deterge and receive with their beards, and carry it on their hairy legs, whereunto it adheres; which after∣wards the Incolists kemb off, and percolate, making it into lumps, and so keep it, calling it Ladanum.

Some reject this manner of accepting Ladanum, as fabulous, and yet substitute not an easier way. It is indeed so tenacious and viscid, that it will easily follow contact, and may be excerped otherwise.

The Cyprian, odorate, greenish, soft Ladanum, that hath not gathered sand and filth, is the best: The Arabian is more vile, and worse.

It is calefactive, and mollifies, opens the orifices of the veins, * 1.395 mixed with black Wine, Myrrhe, and Oyl of Myrtle: it keeps on deciduous hair.

It flows not from Cissus, that is, Ivy, as Pliny thought, but Cistus, a small, surculous, lignous shrub, emitting long and blackish leaves, glutinous to the tact, which in the Spring exude a certain fat, odo∣rate, and rosinous matter, which collected by any Art, is called La∣danum: It bears small whitish flowers, like little Roses.

CHAP. 4. Of Hypocistis.

BEsides Ledon, or the Ladanigerous Cistus, there are two other varieties; the one Masculine, * 1.396 out of whose roots springs Hy∣pocistis, whose spurious branch is like to a Quince-tree: some call it Ludonorum, others Robethron, Fuschius fungus; its succe is ex∣tracted, as that of Acacia concreted and kept.

The other Cistus is Foeminine; which bears long, * 1.397 and not angust leaves, white and small flowers, and small seed in a triangu∣lar hull: it is very like the Ladanigerous Cistus.

The Masculine Cistus is a small shrub, greater then Thyme, with leaves like Basil, but rounder, rosaceous flowers, like them of the Foeminine, but lesser, with a lignous and hard root, out of whose middle, Hypocistis pullulates, as viscum out of an Oak, and other trees.

Hypocistis is very rare, in whose stead we use Acacia, * 1.398 whose sa∣culties are analogous, though more imbecil: it is chiefly astrictive;

it helps the Dysenterian, collical, and all fluxes of blood. It sic∣cates also, and roborates, and is a very efficacious remedy in all fluxions.

CHAP. 5. Of Tartar.

AS the substance of Milk, part whereof is butyrous and ligher, part caseous and crasser, and part serous and moderate, is not homogeneous; so neither is the substance of Wine, part whereof is tenuious, and is called the flower of Wine; part somewhat hea∣vier, occupying the middle of the Hogshead; and part more crass, which settles to the bottom, which some call Lees, and the more recent, Tartar; perhaps because this is the Empyricks Idol, as Tartac was the Hevaeans. But I rather think it so nominated, be∣cause it possesses the lowest place.

And though Tartarum be but Lees of Wine, yet is it indued with many faculties: for as some excrements in an humane body are benigne and useful, as Sperm, Milk, and other humours inclu∣ded in other parts for certain uses; so are these dregs useful: for as the Proverb goes, No Wine without Lees; for this excrement con∣serves it longer from corruption, as ashes do fire from extinction.

Tartarum included in a Cloth-bag, and suspended in a Wine∣cellar, or other moist place, will exude an oleous humour, which they call Oyl of Tartar: which delabes from the Canvas bag into the vessel subjected, as we have shewed in our Officinary. It may be educed also by ascent; but the work will be more, and to less purpose.

The ashes of burned Tartar is frequent at Paris, and very expe∣tible to dealbate sayls, which the vulgar call Gravellata. It is cele∣brated for many other uses: * 1.399 for Tartar, according to Cardanus, hath no equal in detersion, which purges sordid and hard lumps, and ex∣crescencies of flesh, and shews the sound and living flesh.

CHAP. 6. Of Liquorice Juyce.

THe succe of Liquorice is expetible for many uses; for it is exi∣miously bechical, being successfully assumed solarly for the af∣fections of the lungs and breasts, and frequently with no less benefit mixed with other Medicaments. Galen extols that which comes from Crete.

The Greeks call it Glycyrrhiza, the shop-men Liquorice, Celsus Sweet-root, the Batavians Sweet-wood; for its succe exhibits a sweet and grateful sapour, which is thus educed.

The roots of Liquorice collected in July, while new and humid,

are purged and brayed, then cocted in water, percolated and expres∣sed; the succe expressed is siccated by evaporation by the fire, * 1.400 or Sun, and kept: That is best, which is sweetest, soft, new, pure, tenacious, blackest, and which is totally liquescible upon the tongue.

That which comes from Spain, is much commended; where it is made both copiously and well.

Liquorice is without of the colour of Box, within croceous: its wood is viscid, and not easily frangible; its sapour sweet, quench∣ing thirst; whence it is called, adipsas. That which is white or black within, exucce, old, fragile, and which makes dust by its fracture, is not good. We have spoken hereof in the fourth Section of our first Book.

CHAP. 7. Of Wax.

BEes are wonderful sagacious, industrious, and sedulous, in col∣lecting and confecting Wax; which without their help, no part of the world can perform: for these little animals can solely act that which man cannot; these Infects solely do suppeditate both Aliments and Medicaments to man by their own opifice.

And yet the commodities of Wax are so many, and so great, that they cannot be easily recenseated. The flave, odorate, mode∣rately fat, pure, coacted Wax, which is void of all aliene matter, eadnearest representing Honey, is best. In the second place, we take that which is candid, whether it be so naturally; as the Pontian Wax, or artificially by lotion, as the Tyrrhenian. Other colours are acquisititious; as green by Verdegrease, red by Vermillion, black by Ink, or burned paper: From which mixture it changes its qualities. New subflave Virgin-wax is best.

It is in a mean betwixt heat and cold, humidity and siccity; yet it is somewhat crass and emplastical: Wherefore it is the matter both of calefactive and refrigerative Medicaments. All Wax mol∣lifies, califies, according to Dioscorides; * 1.401 and moderately expletes the body. It is good in broth for such as have the bloody flux. That it may be dealbated, it must be melted at the fire, then demerged in pure Fountain-water, where it must be stirred and expurged. Dioscorides describes another way to make it most candid; which see in his second Book, Chap. 105.

CHAP. 8. Of certain other succes more aptly described in another place.

SUcces are kept either in a liquid consistency, as Vinegar, Wine, and Omphacium; or in a solid one, as Aloes and Scammony; or else in a middle consistency, as Rob and Sapa: of each whereof we have treated in order, partly in our Shop, partly in our first Book of Medicinal Matter.

And since I am so farre from approving of things ten times re∣peated, that the second time offends me, I will not now return to the examination of what I have before delivered; for I could wil∣lingly wish this short Work had been contracted into a lesser bulk.

As for Aloes and Scammony, they being Purgatives, we have treated sufficiently of them in the second Section of this Book: wherein we have accurately described the nature and faculties of all purgative Simples.

As for the succes of fruits, inspissated to the consistency of Rob and Honey, we have handled them in the fifth Section: and the first Section of the first Book, speaks copiously of liquid succes.

Opopanax hath its name from Panax, whose succe, or rather gummeous liquor it is, which when concrete and dry, is subflave without, candid within, graveolent, smooth, fat, fryable, and easi∣ly liquescible in water.

Galen makes mention of other succes, as Glacium and Licium: but because they grow obsolete, they are seldome or never kept in Pharmacopolies.

Finis Libri Primi.

THE SECOND BOOK OF Medicinal Matter.

SECT. I. Of Minerals.

THE PREFACE.

THe matter of Medicaments is multifarious, not onely because it arises from Plants, Minerals, and Animals, (of which we have treated before) but also desumed from the Universal Tribe of Plants. It remains now, that we treat of Minerals, which indeed do daily supply us with plentiful matter for Medicine; and that sometimes melioris de∣fectu, of eximious qualities, whereby we oppugn and resist contumacious diseases of their malignity; but especially, I say, for outward uses, no∣thing more excellent; and very conducible to the health and sanity of in∣ward parts: For there are certain Minerals, which by a roborative faculty do recreate the spirits; as, the Lemnian Earth, Oriental Bole, and Pre∣cious Stones: Of all which we intend briefly, but clearly, to treat in this our second Book.

And although they are called Minerals or Fossiles, which are digged out of the bowels and hidden Caverns of the earth; as, all kindes and sorts of Earths, Stones, and Metals: yet they carry a more ample signification, and do comprehend under them, all that is found in the Bosome and Belly of the Sea, in Gulfs, and on the Sea-shore; as all sorts of Salt and Bitumen. Therefore all Minerals are not onely of the Earth, as Aristotle hath deli∣vered, but some of the Sea; as Salt, Bitumen, and several kindes of Stones: of which we intend distinctly to Treat. But the method of our Institutions doth require us, that we handle them briefly; therefore we shall hasten to the examination of them, and Rank them into a Treble File, by dividing this our Book into three Sections: In the first, we shall dispute the Nature and Qualities of Earths; in the second, of Stones; and in the third, of Metals.

CHAP. 1. Of Terra-Lemnia.

THe best of medicinal Earths, is that, which coming from the Isle Lemnos, the shop-men call Lemnian Earth, and sometimes Sigillated Earth, from that seal that is impressed upon it. There are many varie∣ties hereof; the best of which used to be formed into Cakes, and signed by Diana's Priest with her Sigil, which represented a She-goat.

But the true sigillated Earth, according to Dioscorides and Galen, is flave or yellow, as the hill is whence it is digged; on which hill, neither Tree, nor Herb, nor Plant fruticates, nor a stone to be seen, onely this kinde of Earth in abundance.

Yet such Cakes are brought to Constantinople, of a cineritious co∣lour, noted with the Sigil of the Turkish Emperour, which is effigiated with no Animal, onely some various Characters; and these are bought and kept for true Lemnian Earth.

Neither the Incolists that make these Pastils, nor the Institors that buy them, mix Goats blood therewith, as many grave men existimate.

This Earth is so far, that one that holds it in his mouth, and grindes it with his teeth, would think it consisted of grease.

It is Antidotive against the Pestilence, * 1.402 Contagions, and Diseases that participate of malignant qualities: yet I believe, That the vain Ceremonies and Superstitions of the barbarous Turkish Na∣tion, have more nobilitated this Earth, then any excellency in its faculties: and I do avouch, That if any one that would might effode it, it would lose much of its celebrity.

The variety of the Characters wherewith it is noted, arises from the variety of those Noble-men, who according to their custome, are present on the sixth of August, at its effosion and sigillation. Now all the Characters are contained in these two Arabick words, Tin Imachton, which denote Sigillated Earth.

CHAP. 2. Of Bolarmoniack.

THere is another kinde of Earth of eximious faculties, which comes out of Armenia, near Cappadocia, which the Medicks call Bole-arminack, or Oriental-Bole. It was, in Galens time, much used against that Pestilence he speaks of (Lib. 9. Simp. cap. 7.) It is in our pleasure (saith he) whether we will call it a Stone, as he did that first gave it me, or an Earth, as I do, because it may be rigated by humid things.

It comes not solely from Armenia, but many other Regions: that is the best, which will be most promptly laevigated, either by a Pestel, or the affusion of some water or liquor, containing in it no sandy mixture, and which in manducation melts like butter, and is manifestly astrictive to the gust.

It siccates, astringes, and roborates, stayes blood, * 1.403 cohibits Ca∣tarrhs, profits the bloody flux, and Ulcers in the mouth.

It is very prevalent against the Pestilence: Whoever (saith Ga∣len) assumed this Medicament, were presently cured; but those that this did not cure, dyed all; for no other remedy was more prevalent. Whence we may gather, That it cured all that were not incurable: and that I may speak freely, Bole-Arminack is as efficacious as Lemnian Earth: And as we can easily be without the Turkish Ta∣pestry and Hangings; so shall we not much stand in need of their Lemnian Earth.

CHAP. 3. Of some other Earths less usual.

THere are many other Earths commended by the Ancients, for refrigerating and occluding passages, and much used by them in Medicine, which the later Age doth so despise, that they are to∣tally excluded from Pharmacopolies, except some few, which for their candour, rubour, or other eximious colour, as flave, or the like, which are commended and bought by infectors, as Ocre, Ru∣brick, Synope, Ceruss, and such like.

Yet some of them are indued with eximious medicinal faculties, as the Melitean Earth; so called from the Isle Melita, * 1.404 whence it comes; which is prevalent against the Pestilence and Poysons: Whence many usurp it for Lemnian Earth.

The Samian Earth is a kinde of fossile coming from Samos, * 1.405 which Dioscorides saith, is of two sorts; the one he calls Collyrium, which, I think, may be mixed in Collyries for eyes; the other Samius aster, because there are certain spots in it, which shine like stars; it is crustaceous and dense like a Wherstone, being withall somewhat viscous: This is burned and washed like white Earth, of whose faculties it participates, and thence cohibits the rejection of blood: the other, which he calls Collyrium, is soft, white, fryable, and adheres to the tongue: both of them refrigerate, and arceate fluxes.

The Chian Earth, so called from the Isle Chios, * 1.406 hath affinity with the Samian in face and faculties; for it is white, soft, refrige∣rative, and astrictive: it cures burnings, crugates the face, makes it splendid, and deleates scars.

There is another kinde of Earth called Selinusia, * 1.407 which Galen commends against swellings beginning in the Paps, Testicles, and s••••ll Guts; which in colour, faculties, and consistency, is finiti∣mous

to the Chian: both are special Remedies against burn∣ings.

Dioscorides makes mention of Fullers-earth, * 1.408 whereof he consti∣tutes two sorts; the one white, the other purpureous: that is best, which seems fat and cold to the tact; both of them dissolved invi∣negar, discusse-pimples and tubercles, represse inflammations, and cure burnings.

The Eretrian Earth is, * 1.409 according to Galen, a red Glebe; the best whereof, is without sand and stones. Dioscorides makes two sorts thereof; one white, and another cineritious; none red: that which is cineritious, is soft, and is the best. Eretria is a City in Euboia, near Calcis, in whose Territories this Earth is effoded, and thence nominated: it is astrictive, refrigerative, mollitive; it expletes ca∣vities, and conglutinates wounds.

Rubrick, * 1.410 or Vermillion, so called, because it is red, is called Sy∣nopica, from Synops a City of Cappadocia, whence it comes; and Fabrilis, because workmen often use it in drawing Lines, their cords being died therewith. Some Rubrick is maculated, other unico∣lorate; some soft, other hard and spisse; some fat, other mode∣rate. All of them are adapted to pictures; which, because they siccate and astringe, serve sometimes to medicinal uses, and may be mixed in vulnerary and siccative Emplasters.

Ocre is a kinde of flave Earth, * 1.411 much commended in Attica, not lapideous, but fryable, luteous, and smooth: it astringes, erodes, discusses collections, and represses excrescencies. Aetius saith, That bruises, and blue places, may be cured by a Medicament made thereof.

The Cretian Earth, or Chalk, is so called, from the Isle Crete, whence it comes, though it is copiously found in other Regions; whereof there are many varieties; one sort whereof is white, which exceeds all other Earths therein, which Artificers use in protract∣ing Lines; another green, celebrated for the same use, which we ordinarily call Theodosia; another is black, which workmen-Pain∣ters and Taylors use: All of them are abstersive; whence they are much used in cleansing Tin and Silver vessels. The green is more acrimonious then the white and black, and more abstersive then both.

Other Earths, as Pnigitis, Melia, and Ampelitis, are recorded in Dioscorides, and mentioned by Galen: But their vertue is so ignave, and effects so small, that the later Physicians do not celebrate them; who leaving Acorns, chuse rather to eat Whear. These therefore being useless, I will not describe.

There is a certain subrulous Earth carried about Lutetia, which they call Alana and Tripolis, serving onely to deterge brazen vessels: which here we will omit.

Of certain Fossiles extracted either out of Sea or Land, which are referred either to Metals, Stones or Earths: And first, CHAP. 4. Of Chrysocolle or Boras.

THe Shop-men following the barbarous Mauritanian Idiome, call Chrysocolle, Boras: it is found in the golden, silver, and sometimes brazen Mynes in Armenia, Macedonia, and Cyprus. The Armenian Boras, whose colour is green, and sapour nitrous, with some amaritude, is most laudable. Pliny thinks, That that which is effoded out of brazen Mynes, whose substance is mud, concreted to the hardness of a Pumick-stone, is best; that which is collected out of Silver Mynes, next; and that which is had in Golden Mynes, worst of the three. There is another sort, which is worst of all, found in Leaden Mynes. Avincenna calls Boras, Auri capistrum; Dioscorides and Galen, Chrysocolle, or Gold-glue; others, Green Earth, because it equalizes segetives in colour. That which is now in Phar∣macopolies, is not green, but white.

There are two sorts hereof: one Native, which in Metalline Mynes concretes to the hardness of a Pumick-stone, acquiring va∣rious colours, according to the variety of the Metals, out of whose Mynes it is effoded: the green is most medicinal, and the flave best for ferruminating gold.

The other Factitious, made of Boyes Urine, * 1.412 agitated so long with a Brazen Pestel, in a Brasse Morter in the hot Sun, till it ac∣quire the consistency of honey, or an unguent; which either sole∣ly, or mixed with other Medicaments, cures sordid, cadaverous, and dangerous Ulcers. Dioscorides brayed and washed the native and fossile, till it looked pure and sincere; then he reconded, and kept it for use, after he had siccated it: it will be much more tenuious by ••••tion.

Chrysocolle califies, cohibits excrescent flesh, * 1.413 and is somewhat mordacious: it perduces many Ulcers to sanity, but its assumption at the mouth is perillous.

CHAP. 5. Of Vitriol, or Calchantum.

THe Greeks call that Calchantum, which the Latines from its blackness call Sutory Ink, and from its splendent vitreous Nitre, Vitriol.

Dioscorides reckons three sorts thereof; two native, and one

Factitious: * 1.414 one sort of the Natives is found concreted in the bowels of the earth, another is collected in form of water, out of some Myne, which put into a vessel, soon coagulates into Vitriol.

The Factitious is made of a certain glebe of earth, maculated with rubiginous and atruginous: spots, madefied, transfunded, and fermented with water, cocted with the heat of the Sun; out of which a certain vitriolous humour is elicited, which is reduced ei∣ther by the heat of the Sun, or of a fire, into Vitriol. Pliny (Chap. 13. Book 34.) teaches many more wayes to confect it; as also many perite Metallists, which for brevities sake I omit.

Amongst the Factitious Vitriols, the Roman is the best; the Cy∣prian was most celebrated of old; the Germanian is worse: and it is commonly called Copparose, or Dyers Ink, which Infectors use in dying clothes.

The Native, which is effoded out of the Cyprian Mountains, is called Stalacticum, that is, stillatitious; and pectum, that is, con∣crete: so that the natural, which is either coagulated before effo∣sion, or coagulates quickly after extraction from that Mountain; and the factitious, which is elicited out of the earth of that Moun∣tain, may be both called Cyprian Vitriol.

The Native or Fossile Vitriol, participates of Calcitis, Misy, and Sory; especially the Cyprian, which is concreted from green water, which continually delabes from that Mountain into a Cave, washing Calcitis, Misy, and Sory, and spontaneously coagulating into Vitriol. Whence one of these doth easily transeate into an∣other; for all of them do in time convene: yea, Galen asserts, That he saw Vitriol, which in tract of time became Calcitis. (Lib. 9. Simp.)

The Native and white, is preferred in Medicinal uses, which the Metallicolous Alchymists say, is produced by their Sulphur and Mercury, as of Sperm, which they indiscriminately exhibit to all affections: out of which they elicite a certain acid liquor; a few drops whereof, mixed with syrupe of Violets, acquire a most ele∣gant red colour and sapour. Oyl of Sulphur will do the same; and a few drops of both, or one of them, infused in the syrupe of Roses, will make the whole liquor red, * 1.415 which they call Tincture of Roses.

There is a certain salve made, which Pharmacopolists call Dia∣calciteos, from Calcitis, and Diapalma; or Palmeous salve, from Palme; and it is alike related to both: for it neither admits of Cal∣citis, nor Palme, in its confection; but so it is called for its rarity: for Calcitis, Misy, Sory, Melanteria, Diphryges, and many more, so much celebrated by the Ancients, are now unseen and unknown. Whence Galen substitutes Vitriol in stead of Calcitis, into whose nature age perduces it. And it may well be substituted in stead of Misy, Sory, and Melanteria, for all these are of near affinity, being similar in qualities, but dissimilar in colour and consi∣stency.

Nature hath enriched Vitriol with eximious faculties, which pe∣rite Physicians have both experienced, and left described; as Dios∣corides, Galen, Aelius, Paulus, Aegineta, and Oribasius, who have no∣bilitated it with much celebration: it califies, astringes, dries, kills broad worms in the belly, helps against toad-poyson, preserves moist flesh, and contracts humours by absumption, exarceates putretude, roborates the intimous parts; externally applied, it astringes, pur∣ges Ulcers, causes wrinkles like Alome, with whom it hath rela∣tion. The Wells of Spada being indued with a Vitrioline quality, do miraculously cure grievous and deplorable affections. Which excellent faculty, they borrow from Vitriol, by whose energy they pervade all the tracts and corners of all parts, everting what is hurt∣ful, not hurting what is good; binding what is more lax, relaxing what is bound; and inciding, melting, attenuating, and expelling what is more crass. But besides these excellent commodities, Vi∣triol hath its incommodities also: for, it is ill for the stomack, acri∣monious, erosive, and vomitory; and therefore many Monks and women give it sometimes in Wine, and sometimes in Rose-water, in uncertain weight, against quotidian and quartane Agues: and indeed the Feaver is often, by the excitation of vehement vomiting, resolved. But this Medicament being imperitely exhibited, proves often more formidable then the disease.

CHAP. 6. Of Alome.

ALome (saith Pliny) is as it were the brine of the earth, where∣of Dioscorides makes three sorts; the round, the liquid, and the jagged or scissile: the last is often called plumeous Alome; for they are so like in form, that they can scarce be distinguished; yet they differ both in nature and qualities: for the scissile is manifest∣ly astrictive, and may be burned; but the plumeous is acrimonious, * 1.416 and suffers not by fire. It seems to be the stone Amiantus, which, wood-like, consists of many incursant Lines, and is not burned by fire, which many take for that Amentus that ingredes the Citrian unguent.

There is another sort, very vulgar and usual, lucid, spisse, and hard, like glasse, which Physicians call Rock-Alome, * 1.417 which should alwayes be usurped, when Alome is designed absolutely. The manner of confecting this, is long and laborious, which Matthio∣lus describes accurately. There is black Alome in Cyprus, that Pliny makes mention of.

Some say, that round Alome is the same with that they call Zu∣charinum, which is confected of crude Rock-Alome, white of Eggs, and Rose-water. Matthiolus saw, handled, and tasted li∣quid Alome: of which he attests, that he never found any thing more astrictive.

Besides these, there are some factitious Alomes, as Catinum, which is made of the ashes of Kali, and vulgar Soda; as squamous Alome, which is made of a specular stone, pellucid like glasse; as Lees-Alome, which is made of Wine-Lees burned and albified. I think it superfluous to describe the manner of confecting these A∣lomes, since they are now of no use.

All Alome is of crasse parts, * 1.418 bindes much: whence it is called Stypterion, because it is styptical or astrictive: it califies mode∣rately, cleanses, emends putrid Ulcers, dries humid ones, absumes ex∣crescent flesh, takes away itching, cures the scab, and accedes use∣fully to many Medicaments made for Ulcers.

CHAP. 7. Of Salt.

AS nothing is more common, nothing more frequent; so no∣thing more known then Salt: without which, Beasts can, but we cannot subsist. Whereof there are many sorts; as Sea∣salt, Fossile-salt, Lake-salt, and River-salt.

Sea-salt is most common, and best, which is solely used in France. Fossile-salt, which shop-men call Gemme-salt, is broken and effoded out of Mynes like stones; it is splendent like Chrystal: This cast into the fire, doth not crack like the rest, but ignifies like Iron.

There is also Indian-salt, which Mesue uses in the confection of Pills of Azure-stone: but this being wanting, we substitute gem∣meous Salt. They mistake, that think, that Mesue means by In∣dian-salt, that Sugar which he calls Tabarzet; we, White: for the Indians have their Salt, which they effode from the Mount Oromenus, in great lumps; in whose stead, our gemmeous Salt will serve well, as in acuating the slower faculty of Agarick and Poly∣pody.

Ammoniack, or Armeniack-salt, being very ingrateful both in sa∣pour and colour, and gifted with no eximious faculties, is judged incommodious: it concretes into broad plates under the Cyranium sands, with black veins extrinsecally; in colour it comes near Alome we call Schiston, as also the Salt we call Alkali and Ca∣tinum.

Dioscorides commends Lake-salt, and Phrygian-salt; but we pre∣ferre our own.

The flower of Salt, which flows upon Nilus, is neither seen of nor desired by us: it is as it were the Spawn of a certain River; as also the broth of Salt, and the flower of the spamous Sea in Di∣oscorides.

There is another kinde of Salt, they call Nitre, denoted with a double difference; the first is the light Nitre, of Dioscorides and the Ancients: its colour is roseous or white; it gapes with some holes

like a spunge, it ceases now to be brought to us: the other is more vulgar, called Salnitre, or Saltpeter, which ingredes the confection of that powder, which is made of many nitrous waters in France for warlike Instruments.

While it is laboured with much coction, it eructates Aphroni∣trum, or spume of Nitre, different from that which the Ancients mention, which is thought to be native, not artificial; as also a certain friable lanuginous matter, white and saltish, which adheres to many walls, which is thought to be the flower of Nitre. I shall not now speak of the confection of Nitre, because it appertains not to Apothecaries.

The faculties of Salt are great, many, and very useful to man, but not so necessary in Pharmacy, as many think, who praedicate many wonderful and vain things, of Salt educed by Chymical Art; for they mordaciously assert, that there is a purgative faculty in Medicaments because of Salt: and when they have got some ex∣tract from any Medicament, they averre they have got its Salt. However, Salt is very conservative; it astringes, absterges, purges, discusses, represses, extenuates, and vindicates from putretude; yet some Salt is better then other.

Seeing Brine is its liquor, it exhibits the same effects: * 1.419 it is mixed with Glysters, to excite the expulsive faculty, which is flow in such as are infested with the Lethargy and Apoplexy.

CHAP. 8. Of Bitumen.

BItumen, which the Greeks call Asphaltos, is as it were the fat∣ness of the earth swimming above the water; which cast upon the shore, condensates, concretes, and becomes hard, tenacious, and inflammable. As long as Bitumen swims on the water, it is soft; but when it is off, it becomes spisse and harder then, and resembles dry Pitch, yet easily liquescible at the fire.

Many Lakes are bituminous, but especially one in Judaea, * 1.420 thence called Asphalites, and The dead Sea, because of its vastity, and be∣cause its water remains almost immovable, not stormy, but heavy, falt, crass, and foetid; wherein neither Plants nor Animals breed; neither doth it nourish such as are injected, or admit them into its bowels.

Some enumerate a kinde of Fossile terrene matter, * 1.421 which some call, but falsly, The Earth Ampelitis; others better, Stone-coal, which seems to be a kinde of Jet, of which they make Beads and Images, which strangers wear in their Hats, amongst solid Bi∣tuments.

All Bitumen is not solid and hard, but some there is, perpetually liquid and fluid, called Naphta, which is the colature of Babylo∣nian Bitumen, white of colour, and most capacious of fire: for

there is so much cognation betwixt this and fire, that it will pre∣sently leap into it, when near it. There is also black Bitu∣men.

As the true and native Bitumen of Judaea and Sodome come not to us, in whose stead we use Pissaphaltus, or factitious Bitumen, made of Petreol, Pitch, and other things: so neither the true Naphta, in whose stead we assume a certain liquor, that falls from the fields near Modena, which they call Petreol, as if it were Oyl educed out of a Rock; for both have the same cansistency, colour, and vertue: But Pissaphaltus is the commixion of Pitch and Bitu∣men, as its name designs, which some use for Mumy: of which hereafter.

All Bitumen discusses, mollifies, glutinates, defends from inflam∣mation, by obfaction, suffumigation, or imposition; emends the Proptosis and strangulation of the Uterus: but our Bitumen is sel∣dome right.

Naphta extenuates, incides, digests, penetrates, absumes frigid and crasse humours in all parts of the body, and cures the resolu∣tion of the Nerves, Palsey, and diseases in the arteries from a cold cause.

Some yet recenseate more bitumens, as that furfurous pingue∣tude which some call Whales-sperm, * 1.422 others White-Amber, and many, The flower of the Sea; for it is collected on the Sea, whose fat spume, or innatant flower it is. Many think it is Dioscorides his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

CHAP. 9. Of Sulphur.

SUlphur is either native and fossile, called Brimstone and Quick∣sulphur; or factitious: the native is naturally generated of a certain fat portion of earth; much whereof is in Lipara, Melos, and such places, where the factitious is made: the splendent, pel∣lucid, and not saxous, is best; whose colour without is subcincritious, within subluteous.

Many Mountains are very sulphureous, as Aetna, which eructates perpetual flames.

The factitious is made of some fat Glebes, which are effoded out of sulphureous Mynes. The manner of its confection, I leave to such Rusticks as are exercised therein: the green and fat is best.

Sulphur hath much cognation with fire; for if it be cast upon coals, it will burn, and not be extinguished, till all its oleous and fat substance be absumed.

All Sulphur is not alike in colour; for some is green, some more luteous, some cineritious, and some pallid or lucid. Whence we may gather, That it is of more sorts then two. Pliny also enume∣rates four, some whereof are harder, others fatter, and others more inflammal.

That Sulphur whereof Alchymists tell many vain and ridiculous stories, is not common Sulphur, yet it is mixed, though they as∣sert, that it is a principle of mixture. But no more of that in this place.

There is a certain fat liquor, very efficacious, * 1.423 educed out of Sul∣phur, yet such, as may not be used imperitely, lest it do more harm then good. There is a powder also made of Sulphur, against the vices of the Lungs, whose event demonstrates its excellency.

That Medicament which Mesue calls Diasulphur, is hence deno∣minated.

Sulphur califies, cocts, resolves, cures Coughs, * 1.424 and difficulty of breathing, taken in an Egge, or burned; and its smoke catched, moves spittle; mixed with butter or swines-grease, it mitigates and kills the itch, erupting on the whole body; and mixed with Turpen∣tine, it cures Tetters, rough nails, and scabs.

CHAP. 10. Of Amber-grise.

AMber-grise, which was unknown to the Ancients, is neither the seed of Balena, nor excrement of any other Whale, nor yet the dung of any Birds educated in the Isle Maldina, with odori∣ferous herbs (which dung is by the sea wash'd of those Rocks, as some somniate;) nor yet any kinde of maritimous Mushrome, era∣dicated by the Sea, as many have asserted: nor yet any thing made of Ladanum, Aloes wood, Storax, and Civer, as Fuschius credited; but a certain kinde of Bitumen, by storms driven from the Foun∣tains and Chanels of the Sea to the shore; where exposed to the air, it speedily condenses; as many things do, which while they are in the water, are soft and tender; but eructed, become dry, and hard, as Amber.

Perhaps, as it is storied, a great quantity of Amber-grise hath been found in a Whales belly; but whilest she was alive, she had got it, and ingested it in the Sea: for it is absurd to think, that Am∣ber should be the Whales excrement, when the best Amber de∣voured by a Whale, loses its bonity and suavity.

Which Simeon Sethi smelled well enough, who asserting that Am∣ber is a kinde of Bitumen, flowing out of some Fountains, saith, That that which is devoured by fishes is the worst that can be.

Garcias ab Horto seems to assert, That it is a kinde of odorate earth; seeing there was not onely a fragment of three thousand pounds weight of Amber found in the earth, but whole Islands of pure Amber: and he proves the probability hereof, from the infi∣nite varieties of earth in colour and qualities: and seeing in this ge∣neral acception, Bitumen may be called a kinde of Earth, I do nor impugn the verisimilitude of his assertion, especially finding it called Precious Earth.

Thus have I briefly related the whole history of Amber: for I will neither undertake, neither will my short annotations bear the discussion of such opinions as have been published about Amber.

That Amber which is most odorate, devoid of filth, perforated with a needle, emits much fat succe; that which is cineritious, and not black, is good; that which is black, or very candid, is not good.

It calefies, * 1.425 resolves, recreates the heart, brain and principal parts, refreshes the spirits, cureth swoundings, erects the strength, exhila∣rates the mind, and cures palpitation.

CHAP. 11. Of yellow Amber, or Electrum.

ORange-coloured Amber is variously denominated: the Greeks call it Electrum; the Persians and Mauritanians, Charabe, that is, catch-straw; the Germans, Glesum, that is Glasse, because it is splendent; the Romans, Succinum, because it is the product of succe, or Sea-bitumen concreted; but not the succe of Pine or black Poplar, as many have asserted: for it is found in the deeps, and up∣on Sea-shores, concreted of the fat juyce of the Sea and Earth.

This matter, whilest lent, viscid, and fat, before it be obdurated and dryed, catches and detains many Flies, Gnats, Ants, and such like Insects; which dye, dry and odorate, together with the Amber.

This Amber is either white or flave: the white, which is more odorate and lighter, is good: so also is the flave, if pellucid, and such as may be made by attrition, to smell like Rosemary, and attract chaff or straw.

Its Powder given in convenient liquor, cohibits the flux of blood, roborates the bowels, and is good against the white fluor of the womb: one dragm thereof taken in a soft Egge, will stay the flux of Sperm, and will help such as are tabid, infested with hardness of intestines, difficulty of breathing, and long Coughs.

CHAP. 12. Of Coral.

COral is from its effigies, hardness, and native soyl, frequently, and not improperly called Lithodendron, as if it were a Stone∣tree, and sometimes a Sea-shrub: for Macer saith, it seems to be the bough of some arbuscle, for it grows in the Tyrrhenian and Sicilian Seas; assurging and emitting branches like a little Tree. Hence some repose it amongst shrubs, others amongst stones, and others amongst Bitumens: but it is really none of all these, but something of each.

It is threefold; one sort is red, another white, and another black: the first, as it is of a more jucund aspect, so more medicinal, and more apt for Bracelets, and other Ornaments. The white, as it is more spongious, so more light and refrigerative: the black is most rarely seen, lesse medicinal and expetible; red is the best, which is alwayes understood, when Coral is prescribed absolutely. There is another sort of Coral of a mixed colour, which is not so good: the red that is best, should be of a florid colour, odorate, like Alga, ramous, like a shrub, very frangible, not rough, nor hol∣low, or chanelled.

All Coral refrigerates, dryes, and bindes: * 1.426 it cohibits the immo∣derate flux of fluors and blood, it cures the Dysentery, represses the flux of mans sperm, and the white fluors of a womans Uterus. It helps such as are anhelant, infested with the Epilepsie, Spleena∣tick, and heart-dolours: for, it roborates the brain, diminishes the spleen, and exhilarates the heart. Alchymists extract a red oyl out of Coral, which is very useful in staying blood, and roborating the members: of which elswhere.

CHAP. 13. Of Auripigmentum.

AUripigment, Arrhenick, or Arsenick, Sandaracha, and Risa∣galum, differ not, save in name onely: All are effoded out of the same pit; all are septical and acrimonious, with extreme calour; dissolving, destroying, and preying upon the principles of life. Some of the later Writers call three things Arsenick: for they de∣nominate Auripigment, Yellow Arsenick; Sandarax, Red Arse∣nick; and Risagalum, VVhite Arsenick.

Auripigment and Sandarax, are of the same Metals, and seem onely to differ in more or less coction; and therefore they are both often mixed in the same glebe. There are two sorts of Auripig∣ment; one of a golden colour, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which Galen calls Crustosum; which may be clefted into scales, mixed with no matter: The o∣ther pale, effigiated like an acorn, which is affine to Sanda∣racha.

Sandaracha hath not onely affinity with Arsenick from its native soyl, but nature also; for it is onely Arsenick well cocted, for that by ustion will become Sandaracha, as Ceruse will Sandyx, which they call Painters-red. Pliny makes mention of another sort of Sandaracha, which he refers to ceraginous honey.

They erre shamefully, that deceived through the affinity of the words, take the Arabians Sandarax, which is Junipers Gumme, for Sandaracha which is a Mineral: for Sandarax and Sandaracha dif∣fer much, in nature, faculties, and original; for the one is pale, light, and grateful to nature; the other red, heavy, and dele∣tery.

Few things are spoken, and that but by few, concerning Risaga∣lum; insomuch, that we can scarce from their dignments know what it is. Bern: Dessennius calls it factitious, white, and crystal∣line Arsenick. But perhaps the ancients did more wisely in its dis∣quisition, not to detect such mortal lethal poyson. Sylvius saith, it is found in the same pits with Arsenick, which some call Auripig∣ment.

All Arsenick is erosive, * 1.427 malign, an enemy to all internal parts, and to the radical moisture, and innate heat; and therefore it is ill advice of Nic. Alexand. to describe it for an ingredient in the great Athanasia: for by permixion with other Medicaments, it doth not depose its ferity. It is indeed sometimes mixed with extraneous Medicaments, but in very small quantity; and onely then, when some superfluous flesh is to be eroded.

For the spirit of Arsenick, which consists in salt, as the Alchy∣mists speak, is very bad, and cannot either by its fixation, or extraction, be so deleated, as to be securely introsumed into the body.

CHAP. 14. Of Cinnabaris, or Vermillion.

DIoscorides his Cinnabaris, which is the succe of a certain tree growing in Africa, which is usurped for Dragons-blood, dif∣fers much from the Cinnabaris, so called by later writers, which is a Mineral, whereof there are two sorts, the one native, the other artificial: The native is also twofold, the one whereof is effoded out of certain silver Mynes, as those in Hydria, which seems to be a purpureous glebe, referted with Quicksilver, out of which it fre∣quently issues spontaneously; the other is found in the Veins of silver Mynes; and is the Minium secundum: of which here∣after.

There is also an artificial Cinnabaris, made of Sulphur and Quicksilver coacted by the fire; which Brasavolus calls Cynapri∣um, to distinguish it from the native Cinnabaris, which, with Dioscorides, he holds to be the lacryma of an Aphrican-tree.

But indeed Cinnabaris, Cynaprium, and Vermillion, or Red-Lead, are all one, especially with the later writers, who adducing them all to the test of reason, found them not to differ; and those that pertinaciously contend for their difference, exhibiting an ac∣curate description of each, do at last conclude them one: for the variety of names do often so obscure the thing, that he may be ex∣cused who thinks Cinnabaris, Cynaprium, Milton, and Vermilli∣on, to discrepate.

Cinnabaris then is of four sorts; the first is Dioscorides his Cin∣nabaris, which is the succe of an Aphrican-tree, called Dragon; the second is a Mineral, shining with much rubour, and not very pon∣derous,

which is found in silver Mynes; the third is factitious, of fulphur and quicksilver, ponderous, and intermixed with red and argenteous lines; the fourth is found in silver Mynes, and kept in shops in form of a powder very nitently red, which some call Cinnabaris, some Milton, some Minium; the shop-men Vermilli∣on, and some Sandix.

Now Sandix is burnt Ceruss, which for its eximious redness, Serapio calls Vermillion: from which opinion the later writers dissent not.

But that purpureous powder which Apothecaries keep for Vermil∣sion, is by Fliny called the second Minium, which is found in silver Mynes, acquiring that fair rubetude by artificial and reiterated washing; so that according to Pliny, one Minium is differenced from another, onely by washing and art: yet the first Minium or Mineral Cinnabaris, which emits much quicksilver by the fire, needs no such washing; the second or vulgar, which is called Red∣lead, is red in the fire, but eructates little or no quicksilver, and is seldom used in Medicine.

Cinnabaris being referted with much Mercury, participates of the same saculties: which being notorious to the very Barbers, and pore-blinde, is often by Circulators usurped to the cure of the French disease, who make such foolish attempts thereof, as they bring many into the Palsey, more to death.

CHAP. 15. Of Quicksilver.

MErcury or Quicksilver, is the prime idol of the Alchymists, which they pronounce the principle of things, and sperm of Metals; and indeed so true each, that nothing is more false: for if Me∣tals have any sperm, it is within themselves, not elsewhere to be sought; nor will ever mixed bodies naturally resolve themselves in∣to Salt, Sulphur and Mercury; though these Chymical Vulcans do Hammer them out, as Dom. Riolanus hath learnedly proved against them. This Mercury or quicksilver, is as it were the Monster of Na∣ture, which will not be subdued under Natures Laws: it is whiter then any silver, more fluxile then water; more permeable then Vinegar; yet it never madefies, often refrigerates, often califies; sometimes curing onely frigid affections, sometimes onely calid ones: when it seems frigid, then it induces calid effects; when ca∣lid, frigid ones: it sometimes hurts in small quantity, alwayes in great: it easily loses its proper form, and easily resumes it; and in this it is Miraculous, that it often profits being introsumed by the mouth; and often causes Palsey, trembling, and other prave effects, when extrinsecally applied. (Falop. Cap. 27, & 76. Lib. de lue Vener.)

Trajan saw some, who being anointed with a liniment made of

Quicksilver before their deaths, in the junctures of whose armes he sound much Quicksilver, when he dissected their dead bodies.

He saw another, who being onely thrice anointed with Quick∣silver, vomited many humours, wherewith much Quicksilver was confounded.

It is also storyed of one Antonius Gallus, that he being oft besmear∣ed with Medicaments of quicksilver, and not voiding any by spittle, that much was mixed with his urine, wherewith gold might be so dealbated, that they would take it for silver.

Yet Brasavolus would have it assumed at the mouth, to kill Maw∣wormes; and Fracastorius avers, that certain women assumed each of them a pound of quicksilver to kill their young, which yet recei∣ved no harm, they being frustrated in their design, and the young excluded duely and alive.

Yet the same Author having afterwards approved, and disap∣proved of its use, confesses ingenuously, that he is ignorant of its qualities; but boldly asserts, that it will cure the French disease.

One Jacobus Carpensis was the first that prescribed quicksilver to the cure of this disease, whose use was so successful, that he present∣ly became very rich thereby: the Neotericks following him, mix it both with internal and external remedies; for its use is deprehended both wayes, as being indued with an alexiterial faculty, whereby it extinguishes the venereous poyson in the French disease: for it is its antidote; though it be no way safe, unless it be well handled, duely castigated, and opportunely given: for we have known many, who taking quicksilver from the unskilful, have either perished, or fal∣len into a worse case then before: for this is a beast which can scarce be tamed by any art; and therefore Galen is excusable, who feared to use it, and durst not make trial of its faculty, having learn∣ed from Dioscorides, that it was deletory. Such as work Lead or other Metals wherein there is any portion of quicksilver, are apt to con∣tract trembling, Palsey, and corrugation of Nerves. Those also that effode quicksilver out of Mynes, though rustical and robust Men, yet do they scarce tolerate that labour for four years, but die misera∣bly; for it is an untamed Medicament, whose active vertue and effect are both ancipitous; and though it be liquid, yet very pon∣derous Metals will swim upon it, as wood upon water; except Gold, which sinks therein.

Now quicksilver is either natural or artificial: the natural distils drop by drop out of the glebes of many Mynes, as of those in the Mount Hydria; or, fountain-like, flows copiously out of some vein in a Myne, smitten with a spade, or other Iron Instrument.

The artifical is made, or rather extracted, out of Cinnabaris; of which we have spoken in the former Chapter: I cannot assent to Brassavolus, who, after Vitruvius, asserts, that Mercury may be made of Marble; unless that I could say with the Alchymists, that this Sulphur and Salt may be elicited out of all mixed bodies.

Its qualities are as yet under debate; for some from its effects

say, it is hot, others cold: Avicenna, * 1.428 whom Palmarius and many others follow, says it is cold and moist; Fracastorus, Tomitanus, and others, who attribute an erosive faculty to it, contend for its calidity: I, with Trajanus, think it of a mixed quality, participating of ma∣ny other faculties, but consisting chiefly of subtile, and calefa∣ctive, crasser, and refrigerative parts: for it incides, attenuates, pe∣netrates, melts, resolves, subduces the ventricle; and, what is most to be admired, partly by an attractive faculty, attracts humours from the superficies to the centre, that is, to the ventricle, and ex∣cludes them by stool; and partly by an impulsive faculty, pro∣pels them from the centre to the habit, and ejects them by saliva∣tion.

It is used for both ends in the French disease: and it often works the fluor of the belly, when it is given for salivation; often saliva∣tion, when it is intended for the fluor of the belly.

It is sometimes redacted to white and ponderous powder, of which we have treated elsewhere; which, without molestation, subduces the belly, but harmes the bowels, wherein it leaves the malign impress both of it self and aqua fortis, in which it is im∣merged, as I have observed in many, who committed themselves to some Circulators.

SECT. II. Of Medicinal and Precious Stones.

THere is no corner of the earth, which doth not afford man either Food or Raiment; no angle in which there is not something found idoneous for mans use. Arabia is not onely happy in this, but every remote and bar∣barous Region, doth afford us many precious things, with which we do not onely cloath our selves gallantly, but use wholesomely. What plenty of rich and precious Gemmes is daily brought us from both the Indies, and other re∣mote Regions, with abundance of eximious Plants! We call them Gemmes and Precious Stones, for their rarity, pulchritude, elegancy, and famous vertues. There is no doubt (faith the Poet) but there is a Divine Vertue placed in Gemmes. Hence, Kings and Princes do adorn their Crowns, enrich and illustrate their Fingers, beautifie their Houses, expel Enchantments, ture Diseases, preserve Health, recreate the Eyes, exhilarate the Minde, and drive away sadness therewith.

CHAP. 1. Of the Smaragde or Emerald.

AFter the Adamant, which is onely famous for its hardnesse, being of no use in Pharmacy, the Emerald takes place, whose elegant viridity, eximious dignity, and efficacious vertue, prefer it before all Precious-stones; then which, nothing can be objected more pleasant, nothing more grateful to the Eyes: for the lenity of its colour refreshes fatigated Eyes, which the ful∣gour of others offend. The Arabians call it Zamarrut.

Emeralds are found in many places, but the best amongst the Giants, called Cyclops, or Arismaspi, because they have onely one round eye in the middle of their foreheads: for Arisma with them denotes one, and Spu, an Eye.

This people hath continual warre with Gryffons, that they may more freely effode Gold and Precious-stones, wherewith their Moun∣tains abound, which many Gryffons, fierce and cruel Birds, inha∣bit, which dilacerate men; and like vigilant keepers, punishing the tomerity of great avarice, set upon each one they see, with their adunc Beaks and Claws.

Pliny makes twelve sorts of Emeralds: whereof the Scythian, which are lucidly green, are the best; then the Bactrian, which are sometimes found in the junctures of Rocks; next, the Aegyptian, which are got out of Hills and Rocks near a Theban Town called

Copton; the rest are found in Brasse Mynes: of which see Pliny, (Cap. 6. Lib. 37.)

Our Merchants sell onely three sorts, distinguished by reason of the minority or majority of their value; for they set a small esti∣mate upon brasse Emeralds, obscure variegated, not translucid, and all such as have either Jasper or Beryl, or other stones mixed with them.

The best Emerald is of one colour, splendid, pellucid, liquidly green, and pleasant to the eye.

The Emerald-stone is of such eximious faculties, that it is be∣lieved preservative from the falling-sickness, included in a Ring: it also roborates the Memory, loves Chastity, and is so averse to the sopperies of Venery, that when the King of Hungary went in to his wife, the Emerald in the Ring wherewith her finger was adorned, broke into three parts. And seeing its faculties are so eximious, Mesue's Interpreter did well, though besides his Authors meaning, to put an Emerald in the Electuary de Gemmis, in stead of Feruzegi, or rather Peruzegi, that is, Turchesa, or Eranus, which is of no vertue not use in Medicine, but Emerald of much; whose commendable colour and excellent faculties, Marbodaeus thus loftily warbles forth:

Omne virens superat forma viridante Smaragdus; Collo suspensus dirum fugat hemitritaeum. Et sanare potest ipsa ratione Caducos. Fertur lascivos etiam campescere motus.

CHAP. 2. Of the Saphyre.

SAphyre is a Gemme of no very precious value, especially the waterish, so named from its colour: but the splendent, which is of an azure-colour, is of high esteem; of which the Poet thus comments:

Saphyri species digitis aptissima regum.

The watery, or as the Lapidaries term it, the white Saphyre, doth so much emulate the Adamant, that it hath deceived many: Both sorts are found in Calecut, but the better are brought from Zeilan and Pegu.

The vertues of Saphyres are neither so many nor so great, as the superstition of many men have made them, * 1.429 and as the vulgar La∣pidaries have described; for those things that Macer (Cap. 5. lib. 5.) writes of it, are vain, and meerly false: who saith thus;

Quem natura potens tanto ditavit honore; Ut sacer & merito gemmarum gemma vocetur. Nam corpus vegetum conservat, & integra membra,

Et qui portat eum, nequit ulla fraude noceri: Invidiam superat, nullo terrore movetur. Hic lapis, ut perhibent, educit carcere vinctos. Obstructas{que} fores & vincula tecta resolvit.

I will not further prosecute its Poetical description: For, Poets assuming authority for Lyes, may not be credited. Yet I can easily assent to such as say, that Saphyre recreates the heart, allayes ve∣nereous lusts, and makes him that carries it merry and pleasant: it resists poyson in drink, purges Ulcers in the Intestines, and the cor∣ruption of the eyes, when adhibited thereunto.

CHAP. 3. Of Rubies.

THis Rubine, is from its flammeous colour called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, a Carbuncle; but it shines not in the night, or burns like a candle, as many Ideots think: but its nitre, in respect of other stones, is as it were flammeous. Whence the Poet speaks thus:

Ardentes gemmas superat carbunculus omnes. Nam velut ignitus radios jacet undique carbo. Nominis unde sui causam traxisse videtur.

It hath the name of Carbuncle then from fire; whence the Gre∣cians call them not onely Anthraces, but Pyropi; or, as some will have it, Apyroti, because they are not altered by the fire, nor yet be∣come warm.

They are of so many different sorts, that they can scarcely be de∣signed by peculiar names, or distinguished: those that come from Carthage are most excellent, elegant, fulgent, and precious: the Ae∣thiopian are next; the Alabandian next; those that come from the Syrtes and India, next; those that are like other stones, are the worst and least elegant, for they are impure, and almost like Marble, ob∣scure, flave, or whitish. Some think, that the Carchedonian Rubines borrow their dignity from Carthage, not from their pul∣chritude.

Merchants sell onely five sorts of Carbuncles: one sort whereof is very red and splendent, called Carbuncle absolutely, which is ve∣ry rare, and fit for Princes; the other not so fulgent, which they call true Rubine, which is frequent enough.

The third degree of dignity, they attribute to that which they corruptly call Bullaesium; the next to Rubith, which they call Spi∣nel; the last to Granates: of which in the sequel Chapter.

Many hold, that Carbuncles are of both sexes, to wit, Male, and those they say are such as shine more splendently; and Female, which shine more grosly and fatly.

All Rubines are Cordial, and resist Poysons. * 1.430

CHAP. 4. Of Granates.

A Granate is so called, because it is like the stone of a Pome∣granate; and it is a kinde of red Rubine, less elaborate by na∣ture, and imperfected: it is indeed red, but obscure, as if it were a Rubine covered with a small cloud: whence some call it the blac∣kish Rubine.

It is of two sorts; the one of more lively colour, emulating a corruscant flame, with some intermixed obscurity; the other more obscure, which is of a lesser estimate: both come from Calecut, and some places in Spain.

A Granate suspended, or drunk up, doth much resist sadness, * 1.431 and recreate the heart: but being of an igneons nature, it hurts the brain, exagitates the blood, and excites anger.

CHAP. 5. Of the Sardis-stone, or Carneol.

THe Onyx, Sardonix, and Sarda, have much affinity with one another: yet Pliny rightly distinguishes them; for Onyx is a nitent and polite Gemme, resembling a mans nail. Polycrates had a very fair one. (Plin. cap. 1. lib. 37.)

Sarda is not pellucid, but ruddy in colour, resembling flesh: whence it is called Carneol, not Corneal, as some say; for it is not white like a horn.

The Sardonix participates of both their colours; for it is like a mans nail imposed upon the flesh, and withall translucid.

It is called Sarda, because the Sardians first found it: the best whereof is very red and perspicuous; the obscure and dilutely red, is not so good.

This stone carried about one, recreates the minde, * 1.432 cohibits sad dreams, expels fear, preserves the carrier from Witches and harms, stayes the bloody flux, and usefully ingredes the confection of the Electuary de Gemmis.

CHAP. 6. Of the Hyacinth.

THe Hyacinth is a Gemme of no very great value, for it is co∣piously brought from many places of India, and Lusitania also, to us: in colour it resembles Amber, but it is more splendent, emit∣ting an aureous fulgour.

Some write, That some Hyacinths are rubeous, others caerule∣ous: but many think, that such are rather Granates, Topazes, or such stones, then true Hyacinths. Some indeed are variegated, but the unicolourous are better, especially the Bactrian: the Arabian worst.

Pliny frequently inculcates, that some Hyacinths are of an Orange∣colour, some variegated with certain white veins; and such the Greeks call Leucochrysos. There is a kinde of Amber, most flave, sincere, and fulgid, which the Greeks calls Chryselectrum, which some Ideots take for the true Hyacinth.

Hyacinths participate of some faculties, for they are of a cold nature: they condense bodies, conciliate sleep, roborate, defend from the contagion of Pestilence, excite alacrity, and defend from Thunder and Ligntnings.

CHAP. 7. Of the Topaz-stone.

GIgnit & hunc Arabum gemmis ditissima tellus; as Marbodaeus saith hereof: It was at first found in a cloudy Island of the same name in the Red-sea, by some Pyrats, who by tempests and storms were cast upon that coast; where making a longer abode without victuals, they were forced to fly to the herbs and roots for succour: with which they effoded Topaz, so called from the native soyl.

Many Topazes are also found in another Island called Chitis, which are very splendent and expetible.

There are two sorts hereof: the one is called Prazoides, or Chry∣soprasius, which some say is the same with Chrysolite; the other Chrysopteron, so named from the nitent fulgour of its golden wings.

The Chrysolite much resembles the greenness of Leek-juyce in colour, yet more aureously fulgent; whence it is so named.

The Topaz-stone easily admits of a file; whereas other Gemmes are polished with a touch-stone.

It is a matter of admiration, * 1.433 that a Topaz-stone injected into boyling water, doth not onely hinder its longer ebullition, but so temper its fervour, that one may forthwith put his naked hand into it without harm.

It stayes the flux of blood in all parts; it allayes anger, either removes or abates sadness, hinders the phrensie, and delights the minde.

CHAP. 8. Of the Azure-stone.

THat which Mesue and the Arabians call Azul, the Greeks call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Latines Cyanum; sometimes, the radiant and caerule∣ous stone: The French by a certain Prerogative call it absolutely, The Stone, without any adjunct: Avincenna and Serapio call it Ar∣menus, and Armeniacus.

Yet Armenus and the Azure-stone differ; for the latter is nitent with aureous stars, and caeruleously flave beams: the former ma∣culated with many green, caeruleous, and blackish spots, whence they call it Verdazure. However, their faculties are so conjoyned in affinity, that the one may well be substituted in the others stead; yea, both are cructed out of one Myne, being found for the most part either in silver or gold veins: The Azure-stone is most com∣monly in the gold Mynes, from which it borrows its golden stars.

Now as this is most fair, and good for bracelers and other orna∣ments; so most expetible for Medicaments.

An Azure-stone carried about one, helps the sight, * 1.434 exhilarates the minde; prepared and assumed, it pollicitates many commodi∣ties: for brayed, and duly washed, it potently and innoxiously expurges Melancholick humours; burned and washed, it recreates me internals: yet some have writ too superstitiously of it; as∣serting, That he that carried it about him, should be gentle, rich, and happy.

CHAP. 9. Of the Magnet, or Heraclean-stone.

NAture hath created nothing in the Universe more admirable, then the Loadstone or Magnet, which S. Augustine calls, The wonderful raptor of Iron; which (saith he) when I first saw, I much wondred at, seeing an Iron-ring attracted by a stone; and then another attracted by the former, to which the Magnet had communicated its faculty; and so a third by the second; and after∣wards a fourth, and so on, till a chain of Rings, not implicitely con∣nected, but extrinsecally adherent, hung thereat: to which Pliny attests (Lib. 43. suae Hist. cap. 14.)

Whose attractive faculty was at first found out by a certain Herdsman, who following his Cattel on the Mountain Ida, at length came to a place where there lay plenty of Load-stones; whose shoes being stuck with Iron nails, and the one end of his staff plated with the same Metal, were so fast retained by this hamous stone, that he must either leave his Iron, or tire himself with pulling.

Now this Pasture was called Magnes, whose name this stone re∣tains to this day: it is also called the Heraclean-stone; not from Heraclius its inventor, as Taisnierius will have it, but from Heraclia a City in Lydia, where much good Magnetical stone is got. Some call it Syderites, because it draws and allures Iron: it is also sometimes called Ship-stone, because it serves to much use in Ships.

There are five sorts hereof: the first is called the Aethiopian Magnet, which comes from Aethiopia; the second the Magnesian, that comes from Magnesia; the third is found in Alexandria; the fourth in Echion of Boeetia; the fifth, which is worst, in Capo Ver∣lichi Natoliae. This is light and spongious, like a Pumick-stone. The Aethiopian Magnets are judged best: all, of what sort soever, are so much better, by how much more caeruleous; such also as are more ponderous, and attract Iron more firmly, are very laud∣able.

An Adamant hinders the attractive vertue, as also Garlick rub∣bed on the Magnet; for its attractive faculty is not so valid, but it may be easily deluded, obscured, and superated: and therefore Taisnierius his assertion is very ridiculous, to wit, That certain ships compacted with Iron Nails, sailing along the Aethiopian Sea, and driven by a tempest to the Promontories, should be by Magnets drawn to the bottom, or shivered to pieces, their Nails being by their potency extracted; for these are old-wives Fables, not worthy the Pen of an Author.

The Magnet draws Iron as its similar, for its own conservation and alimony; for which purpose, they put its dust in bexes; and it respects the North as its Matrix: whence Mariners say, it tends to the Antarctick Pole.

There is another stone called Theamedes, of an opposite quality, got in a certain Mountain in Aethiopia, which repels and respuates Iron.

Some sell burnt Magnet for Hematites; but they are much differ∣ent, as appears by their description. Dioscor.

The Magnet besides its enumerated faculties, * 1.435 hath also some Me∣dicinal qualities, for whose cause it ingredes the divine salve, and others Medicaments: some thinke that a small quantity of a Magnet assumed at the mouth, will preserve youth; and therefore King Zeilan commanded that all the dishes and vessels wherein his Meat was to be cocted, to be made of Magnets.

CHAP. 10. Of some other Gemmes more seldome used in Medicine.

THere are yet almost infinite Gemmes, both fair and elegant to see to, and indued with special faculties; whose use being very rare, I purpose not to treat of every of them in several Cha∣pters: for, it satisfies mine Institution, if I accurately describe these that ingrede the confections we have delivered in our Shop; yet lest some Apothecaries should think there were no more Gems, in this one Chapter I shall comprehend and Epitomize a great many.

The first that occurs is Eranus, which the French call Turchesa, * 1.436 the Arabians Peruzaa; Pliny, Callais, and Augites; whose co∣lour seems to be confusedly, but elegantly mixed of an azure and green: it is had in India, especially about the Mountain Cokas.

The Jasper stone is either totally or in a great part green and ele∣gant; whose species to enumerate, would tyre a man; * 1.437 for Macer saith, they are seventeen: it is very efficacious in staying blood.

The Blood-stone took its Greek name Haematites, from blood also; * 1.438 for whether it be carried or assumed, it cohibits the issue of blood: it is thought to be a kinde of Jasper; for it is green, variegated, and as it were bespotted with drops of blood.

Achates, is so called from the River Achate, where it is found: * 1.439 there are many varieties thereof, but the most vulgar are obscurely white, disterminated with veins either red or black. It is storied of King Pyrrhus, that he had a special one, wherein Nature had ingraven the Nine Muses. Some Achates are red like Coral.

The Amethyst is a stone brought from India, * 1.440 of a purpureous ••••••ed with a violaceous colour, emitting some small flames; where∣of there are five sorts, the more vulgar is violaceous, resembling the colour of red Wine, much diluted with water: it is said to hinder ••••iety, but to excite dreams.

As the whitely corruscant Adamant, the green Emerald, the flainmeous and red Carbuncle, the caeruleous Saphyre, and the golden Chrysolite, are the best of those kindes: so is the va∣riegated Opalus, * 1.441 in whose mixture is the micant fire of the Car∣buncle, the purpureous fulgour of the Amethyst, the caeruleous viridity of the Emerald, and all nitent colours most elegantly con∣tentned; then which, no aspect is more beautiful. Pliny calls this stone Paederos: it is got in the Island Zeilan, and in many parts of India, where it is called Argenon: it is also found in Aegypt, where it is called Senites.

There is another kinde of Opalus, less elegant and nitent, which they call Pseudopalus, and Cats-eye; which, as it is not so fair, so

not so expetible as the true Opalus. This is in probability the stone that Isidore calls Ophthalmius.

There is another stone appertaining to the kinde of Opalus, * 1.442 which from its variegated colour, resembling the Panther, is called Panther; and it is thought to be indued with as many vertues as colours.

The Selenite, * 1.443 so called from the Moon, which it represents, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a stone of a shining, candid, and yellow colour, which increases and decreases as the Moon doth: some of this kinde are greener, o∣thers paler.

The Girasol, * 1.444 which some call the Sun's stone, others Loucop••••a∣los, is reposed among those Gemmes which are candidly nitent, and emit an aureous fulgor.

There is a noble Gemme called Dionysia; * 1.445 which brayed and as∣sumed, though it resemble the sapour of Wine, yet it resists e••rie∣ty. The Poet thus describes it:

Nigramicat rubris Dionysia consita guttis.

Beryl is a Gemme comprehending many under it of the same name; * 1.446 some whereof are caeruleous, others paler, others flave, and aureously fulgent, which are often called Chrysoprasi; others in colour resemble oyl, and others other things, so as its species are nine: Beryl shines obscurely, unless it be brought to a Sexangula•• form.

There hath been of late a stone mixed with a green and lacteous colour, * 1.447 brought from New-Spain, which they call the Reins-sto••e; which bound to ones arm, doth by a special propriety break and propel the stone.

Aetites is as it were a pregnant stone, * 1.448 sounding when shaken, which derives its name from Eagles, by whom, as it is storied, it is got, and posited in their Nests, to allay the heat of their Eggs, lest they califie too much during incubation; others think otherwise, and speak much falsly concerning it. However, it is a stone that will accelerate birth, if applied to the things; but retard it, if bound above the stomack, or carried betwixt the Paps: there are four sortsof it, which may be learned from Pliny.

The Jewish stone, * 1.449 which is named from its native soyl, is white, of an elegant form, of the magnitude of an Acorn, disterminated with lines so equally distant, as if they had been artificially fabri∣cated: Brayed, levigated, and assumed, it breaks the stones in the Reins and Bladder.

The Chrysolampe is pale on the day, * 1.450 but on the night splendent as fire; it is had in Aethiopia, but seldom brought to us.

Pliny, and such as write of stones, recenfeate innumerably more: but they write of such as they never either knew or saw; and they usurp many stones, conjoyned by some affinity, for one and the same; and often constitute the same stone denoted by many names,

as multifarious: for Pliny avers, That the names of stones are al∣most innumerable.

There rest yet many stones of eximious vertue and high estimate; but because they are desumed from Animals, as Unions, or Marga∣rites, the Bezaar-stone, and the like, we shall treat of them in our Book of Medicaments, desumed from Animals or their parts.

CHAP. 11. Of certain Medicinal, but not Precious-stones: and first of Marble.

MArble is a most notorious & hard kind of stone; of which there are as many differences, as places whence they are elicited: the noblest are these; the Pheugitical, Parian, Zeblical, Porphyritical, and Ophytical Marble; all are approved or disapproved from their colour, nitre, perspicuity, and durity. That which is green or va∣riegated, and hard withal, is fairest and best; that also which is ve∣ry candid and solid, is commendable; and such must be selected to the confection of the Citrian unguent.

The Pheugitical Marble shines most, and represents Images. Nero bunt a Temple of this stone, to Fortune; which shined so with∣in, that though the doors and windows were shut, yet was it clear∣ly perceptible.

The Parian is not all alike, for some is very white, which is very very frequent in Italy, others cincritious; some green, others ferre∣ous: which last sort is so hard, that some make Anvils of it.

The Zeblical is found in Misena: This is the softest, and is thought goed against Poyson; which, if so, is the best of Marbles.

The Porphyritical Marble is most-what variegated with red spots; it is brought out of Aegypt: that which is beset with white spots, is called Leucasticon, whereof they make good and excellent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Modules.

The Ophytical or Serpentine-Marble, is partly green, partly va∣riegated with many other colours, like a Serpents skin; whence it hath its name: the most spots in the vulgar are pale, with others very dissimilar.

Some Marbles are also nobilitated from some Men, and some Re∣gions; as Luculus his Black Marble; Augustus Tiberius his Marble; also Aegyptian, Theban, Ephesian, and Lacedemonian Marble.

Alabaster is a kinde of Marble, so called from Alabastrum, an Aegyptian City: it is ordinarily white and perspicuous; whereof Images are carved, and vessels made to receive and keep unguents.

CHAP. 12. Of Chrystal.

CHrystal is not congealed water, * 1.451 as many think, but a Mineral stone, white, pellucid, and nitent, like clear water, consisting of an aqueous and pure humour; not concreted by cold, but as many say, by the vertue of some divine calour: neither is it made of ice, though it be thence denominated, and often sound in deep Snows, but of an humour of its own: for, ice warmed by the fire, melts ea∣sily; but Christal hardly, though encompassed round with fire, and alwayes agitated with flames and wind.

Chrystal is also found under the earth, amongst stones, 〈…〉〈…〉 hot Regions, where this Chrystalline humour, both from the ••••∣versal cause, and a certain terrestrial potency, lapidifies; no other then Amber and Coral, which at first are humours also, and after∣wards concrete into a lapideous solidity; not by cold, but from the aptitude of the matter.

The most pure, * 1.452 pellucid, and nitent Chrystal is best: it is not onely fit for the making of Cups, Vessels, Bracelets, and other elegant matters; but its powder ingredes the Citrian unguent, and is commended in dentifrices, and other Medicaments inservient to Ornament.

CHAP. 13. Of Gypsum, a kinde of Talkum or Lime.

GYpsum is known to all, especially to the Lutetians, whose Walls, Houses, and Palaces, are generally cemented there∣with; whose suburbane Mynes are wholly of this Lime-stone, whose cunicles contain not any flint or other stone.

Now this Gypsum is a white and nitent stone, easily divisible••••∣to plates, and fit for Structures, Edifices, and Walls. Crude Gypsum is not usurped to the fabrick of houses, but it is first burn∣ed, till it become tabid, white, and easily pulverable; then diluted with water, which afterwards concretes to a stony hardness: before it be hardened, it is agitated with a Spade, subacted, and wrought so as it may be soft and sequacious, more fit to agglutinate stones, or compact other works. It is best when newly cocted; for if it be long kept, it will be more humid, and will not concrete so so∣lidly.

There are two sorts hereof: the one more common, which is ob∣scurely nitent; the other more rare, which is cloven into plates, and splendent, like specular stone: whence many call it Talkum, but improperly; for Talkum is more slender, squamous, white, and lucid: Some call it Selenite; some juglers by their deceptive art,

make an oyl of Talkum, to wash, erugate, and dealbate old Wives faces withall; and so daily deceive silly women, that will not in∣dure deformity, with their vain promises, whilest warily, yet not illicitely, they put their hands into the womens Purses (for it is no injury or deceit to beguile those that consent and are willing.)

It hath an astringent faculty, and is good against Ruptures. * 1.453

CHAP. 14. Of Chalk.

CHalk, Lime, and Gypsum, are agglutinative stones, used in compacting rich mens houses; for poor mens cottages are emented onely with a little clay subacted. Now Lime, after it hath once drank water, bears it not again; but Chalk is nourished by water, and longer and better preserved therewith. When I name Chalk, I mean, that which is very white, pulverable, friable, and by infusion in water inflammeable.

For crude Chalk is a hard ponderous stone, that will neither dis∣solve, nor wax white in water, and is more properly called Chalk∣stone.

In what parts Chalk is found, there is no Lime; and where Lime is found, there is no Chalk: that Chalk is best, which touched with water, makes a noise, ignifies, and is cineritious; for age makes it whiter, but more infirm; for the air is got into it, and its fire is abared.

Di••scorides sayes, That Chalk may be made of the shells of Cockles, Mussles, or Oysters, so long burnt, till they be perfectly white.

An eximious Psylother may be made of quick Chalk and Auri∣pigment, which will easily depilate rough places: This also, with someother things, will make good Pyroticks, which will burn the part they are applied to.

Chalk often was••ed with pluvial or fountain-water, may use∣fully be mixed to such unguents as cure cadaverous Ulcers. Chalk extinguished with water, and twice or thrice washed, if it be again cast into water, makes that water very convenient for the Ulcers in the Privities, and other running cadaverous and dangerous sores in other parts: for, by much washing, it deposes its mordacity, and ceases to be sharp; but yet it callfies and siccates manifestly, and ceases to be sharp; but yet it califies and siccates manifestly, and is therefore good to exsiccate Ulcers, and induce scars.

CHAP. 15. Of stones found in Spunges.

SPunges by nature accede nearer to Plants then Animals; for they have accrescion and augmentation, but no fensation, as many

have credited. Dioscorides makes some of them male, which are full of smaller holes, the hardness whereof they call He-goats; and others female; which have larger holes. Aristotle makes four sons of Spunges: some spisse, which are softest; others tenuious, which are hardeft; others most spisse; and others most valid, which they call Achilleous Spunges. Those that grow on stones are harder; those that grow on the tranquil marine tracts, are softer.

But we know onely three sorts of Spunges: the first with rare and patent holes, which is softest and most vulgar, in magnitude and form resembling a mans Liver; the second perviated with les∣ser holes, which is denser, lesser, and harder; the third like Sea∣spume, which is most dense, valid, and cineritious: they common∣ly call them all Sea-Mushromes.

Pliny saith, * 1.454 That stones either grow in Spunges, or coming from other places, fall in, and are stabled there: both sorts are well known, for they are found in every Spunge; but those that grow in the Spunge, must be selected, as being more apt to break the stone: yet Galen is of opinion, that this stone is not so valid, as to break the stone in the bladder.

CHAP. 6. Of Bricks.

MEdicks do not onely from Gemmes and Stones, but from bro∣ken and inveterate Bricks, worn Shoe-soles, and Clay, seek remedies for the sick: for nothing is ••oid of all qualities; and no∣thing, but, used opportunely by a perite and approved Medick, will profit.

There are many things which are efficacious while new, but by age lose their qualities and vertue, as common Medicaments: o∣thers, which are scarce Medicinal till they be old, as Bricks, which at first serve onely for structures, but when old, are very Medicinal, and expetible, as will appear from the Oyl extracted out of them for the cure of many diseases, as we have shewed in our Shop.

SECT. III. Of Metals.

THat is properly called a Metal, which is of a Fossile body, hard, du∣ctile with a hammer, and liqueable with fire; but as soon as it is melted, it doth return into its pristine form. The word is derived from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is to say, to search, because the Metallists are wont to search the Veins of the Earth; for every Vein doth afford some Metal.

But concerning the matter of them, there are divers Opinions: Aristo∣tle in his third Book of Meteors, cap. ult. doth constitute a double matter of all Metals which are found in the Earth; viz. Halitus & Vapor: Of which all Fossiles are made in the bowels of the Earth. Those things that are digged out of the Earth, are either such that may be melted, or not melted: those that are incorporated with some humid matter, are easily melted, as Lead and Tin; others are melted indeed, but with more difficulty, as Iron, &c. Matthiolus writes that to be an Elementary substance, which is the efficient cause of Metal. Scaliger, Exercit. 20. saith, That the substance of Metal is a watery Earth: The Chymists appropriate it to Mercury, and therefore call it the Sperm of the Earth; or, as some say, the Sulphur; which they alledge out of Albertus, who saith, That the first matter of Me∣tals, is a humid, unctious, and subtile Body, which is incorporated with a subtile and terrestrial mixture. Now there are as many Metals as Planets, to wit, Seven, whose Names and Characters they appropriate to the Metals: for they call Gold Sol, Silver Luna, Lead Saturn, Tin Jupiter, Iron Mars, Copper Venus, and Quicksilver Mercury; which is not properly a Metal; for it cannot be wrought, nor is it malleable; but after another man∣ner, that is, in vertue, it may be called a Metal.

But Scaliger, Exercit. 106. reprehends this nomination of Metals, and their affinity with the Planets, and calls it foolish and ridiculous: Neither is the Number of Metals to be comprehended in the number of Planets; for not onely the Metals, but many other Fossiles, do strive to respond in Title and Character, and that more properly, to the Planets and Signs of the Zo∣diack; as Aspalatum to Taurus, Auripigmentum to Gemini, Sal Ammo∣••iacum to Cancer, Red Arsenick to Virgo, Roman Vitriol to Libra, Sul∣ph••r to Scorpio, Roch-Alome to Sagittary, Scissile-Alome to Capri∣corn, Sal Nitre to Aquary: So that these three Arcana's, as they call them, are covered with many Aenigmatical Riddles, not unlike so many madmen, spewing out a thousand boastings, which are more fit to be de∣rided then confuted. But we will hasten to our intended purpose, and enter upon a definition of Sol, which we call Gold.

CHAP. 1. Of Gold.

Gold, the King of Metals, is of that kinde most perfect and compact; which bearing the tincture of the Sun in its coun∣tenance, exercises solar Dominion over all Mortals: for all obey Gold,

Aurum lex sequitur & auro venalia rura. Diphil.

For nothing is more potent then pure Gold; to him men give ado∣ration, for him men undergo great labour: and whoso wants it, may either like a Leper sejoyn himself from consort; or like a dead carcase walk amongst men.

But seeing it is adiaphorous, and either good or bad, according to the intent of the user; if it be ill used, it is the worst of evils, for it is the ring-leading Captain of Contention, the plague of life, and the ruine of the Commonweal: Hence Raptures, hence Man∣slaughters, and hence Battels ensue: but if it be well used, it is thought to be not onely the Subsidy of life, but the guarder of fa∣mily, if introsumed. But I do not mean Chymical potable, or ra∣ther esculent Gold, which refects the recipient onely with a lye, and vain expectations: for, grant we that the Alchymists can by their delusive Art extract a flave liquor, emulous of melted Gold; yet this is so far from curing Leprosie, inveterate Dropsies, and other deplorable diseases; or from retarding old age, and conserving youth florid and vegetive, as they boast, that it is plainly of no noted use in Medicine; seeing the nature of Gold is so dissident from our nature, that it cannot be to us restorative, as Scaliger well ob∣serves (Exercit. 272.) and there being many things more agreeable to our nature, they must needs be more conservative of it: and what is more absurd, then to say, that Gold nourishes, repairs our sub∣stance, and yet changes not into our nature? for thus he that eats Gold, will be a golden Fool like Midas.

Medicks therefore do not labour to dissolve Gold, for that is all one, as if they should destroy its native bonity, and induce an alien quality, either useless or noxious; but they do better, by working it into thin leaf, dust, or atomes, that it may more easily insinuate in∣to the parts of the body.

Gold thus prepared, doth usefully ingrede Electuarium de Gemmis, Galens laetificative powder, and roborative Medicaments. I was wont successfully to prescribe to rich Wenches of ill colours, the filings of Gold, in stead of prepared Steel, with other fit Medica∣ments, sometimes in form of Pills, sometimes of Tabels.

The Medicinal faculties of Gold are indeed many; * 1.455 yet neither so great nor so many, as Alchymists predicate: it is chiefly commend∣ed

for exhilarating such as are melanchollical, or preternaturally sad.

CHAP. 2. Of Silver.

SIlver also is as very Soul and Blood to Mortals; for after Gold, it is the most noble of Metals, which age neither corrupts nor hurts, but alwayes remains nitid, splendid, and sincere, easily duci∣ble and liquescible: it is made in the bowels of the earth, of clean and candid Quicksilver, and pure, clear, firm, and white Sulphur, equally contempered, and so it evades candid and fulgent. Further∣more, the heat of well-claensed Sulphur, dealbates and makes it more subtile, and so exsiccates it, that it becomes tinalous, hard, and sonore.

This alone of Metals seems to emit a translucid splendor; for its light in the Myne, doth in a manner represent the rudiments of stars in a dark place: But when it is more pure, and purged seven times in the fire, as the Psalmist sings, Psal. 11. then it is farre more splen∣dent. The Alchymists compare it to the Moon, whose name they give it, but its qualities are not answerable.

It is judged colder then Gold, * 1.456 whose vertues and dignity it in some degree participates of, being next to it in perfection and pu∣nity. By its natural complexion, it is temperately cold and moist: whence they say, it auxiliates the spiritual members, it stayes the palpitation of the heart, for it roborates it, and helps sanguifica∣tion, making the blood more laudable. The Alchymists extract an oylout of it, which they commend to many diseases in the Brain: but dogmatical and true Medicks, onely use its powder or leaves in Medicaments, and they that do otherwise, work deceitfully.

CHAP. 3. Of Tinne.

TInne is another kinde of Metal, found in the Myne with Silver, which Pliny calls White-Lead, to distinguish it from Black-Lead, which is as it were the purgation of Silver and Tinne left in the Furnace. Such as devote Tinne holy to Jupiter, say, it is generated of pure and clear Quicksilver, and crass and immund Sulphur.

There are many things common betwixt Lead and Tinne; for neither of them contract rust, but rather some squalour or filth, whereunto Lead is more addicted then Tinne; neither of them are sonore, nor very hard, onely Tinne is a little more sonore and hard then Lead.

Tinne is either simple, pure, and defaecated; or impure, and com∣pounded

of other Metals, so made either by Nature or Art: where∣of there are many differences, according to the nature of the ingre∣dients, and proportion of the same; whose faculties respond to the mixion of those things whereof it consists.

Tinne is of much use to man, * 1.457 which though it be seldome used in Medicine, yet it affords vessels for their repose and preservation. The Alchymists make an Oyl out of Tinne, for the cure of Wounds and Ulcers; but I think such Medicaments as are easilier made, cheaper, and more efficacious, are better.

CHAP. 4. Of Lead.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Lead, is, according to Alchymists, both dedica∣ted to Saturn, and called Saturn; and in their opinion it is gene∣rated of impure and crass Quicksilver, and a little impure Sulphur: and it is thought, that not onely under the earth, but in the open air also, it augments; and therefore Cardanus thinks it labefactates houses by its weight, who make four differences thereof, the vul∣gar, white, which many call Tinne, Bisemutum, yet unknown, and that which is made of Stibium.

Pliny acknowledges onely two sorts; the vulgar or black, and the white: who gives a twofold original to the black; for (saith he) it is either generated in its own vein, which produces nought else, or it is conflated in many veins mixt with Silver. The first liquor which flows in furnaces, is called White-Lead, or Tinne, the second Silver, and that which remains, the Latines call Plumbago, out of which Lead is elicited.

It is extracted also out of a certain Plumbary, effoded out of Mynes, which stone they call Molybdoides; and the Lead thus se∣cerned and melted, is poured into water, while hot, till it leave its dross.

Morters and Pestels for Medicinal uses, are made of Lead; as also round Pipes or Canes, for deep and internal Ulcers, which are as good as golden Pipes.

There is also a Powder made of Lead, for the exsiccation of ••l∣cers: whereof we have elswhere made mention.

Galen saith, * 1.458 that Lead is refrigerative, and is either solarly, or mixed with other Medicament, conducible to malignant, cankerous, and putrid Ulcers; but its faculties are bettered by lotion or usti∣on. Dioscorides teaches the manner, qualities and effects of its ab∣lution and ustion. Ceruse is made of plates of Lead: of which hereafter.

CHAP. 5. Of Brass.

BRass is dedicated to Venus, from her Island Cyprus, where it is copiously effoded; and it is either of a golden colour, and thence called Aurichalcum; or redder, and then it is called Brass absolutely. This was of more use amongst the Ancients, then either Gold, Silver, or Iron: for the first money was of Brass. And hence we have these occurrents, Aerarium Publicum, aes alienum, & questor erarius. Their bellatory arms also were not of steel, but brass, as also their Statues and Temple-doors.

In Pharmacopolies we often meet with these terms, Aes ustum, fles aeris, squama aeris, & aerugo: but what every of these denotes, all our Pharmaceutical lections will scarcely teach us. Aes ustum, or burnt Brass (saith Dioscorides) is made of the nails of broken ships, imposed upon a crude earthen vessel, a little Sulphur, and as much Salt strewed under them: all of them being besprinkled herewith, and the vessels spirament daubed with a singular cement, it is set on a furnace till they be cocted.

This aes ustum astringes, exsiccates, represses, extenuates, attracts, purges Ulcers, and brings them to a scar, and emends the vices of the eyes.

Flos aeris, or the flower of Brass, is made, when the Brass melted in the furnace delabes into certain receptacles, through the necks of such fistuls as appertain thereunto; and when cold water is infund∣ed upon the burning Brass, before it concrete into a hard mass: for then this flos aeris, in this sudden concretion and densation, will erupt in a vapour; which concreting also will fall down in small red grains like Millet, which we take for flos aeris.

Squama aeris, or the scales of Brass, are made, when Brass is smit∣ten with hammers; and those are the best which are excussed out of the same Brass that nails are made of; those the worst, which are made of vile and promiscuous, or white Brass. This squama eris astringes, extenuates, represses, erodes, stays arrels, and brings Ulcers to scars.

CHAP. 6. Of Verdegrease.

VErdegrease is not onely of use to Painters, but to Physicians also, who mix it with many Medicaments for the cure of Ul∣cers; as that Medicament which Galen calls Lite, and more he de∣scribes.

This Verdegrease is not the flower of Brass, as some think, but a certain green rasure, which exudes out of its plates wet with vinegar.

Dioscorides make two sorts hereof: one the vulgar or simple Ver∣degrease; the other, worm-rust: and that twofold; the one fos∣sile, and the other factitious: both whereof are rare; for the one is either not sought, or not found; and the other not now made.

But the vulgar is copious, and every-where venale, which may be made many wayes, but most usually thus:

Some sharp Vinegar must be infused into a Hogshead, or other ample vessel; whereon a brazen vessel must be inversly superimpo∣sed; if it may be, a concamerated one; or if it be plain, it must be so obstructed, that there may not be any spiracle left: after ten dayes; let the cover be removed, and the Verdegrease there∣on eraded.

This way is also most usual: one or more plates of brass are so suspended in a Hoshead, containing Vinegar, that they may not touch the Vinegar, and the due dayes being expired, the Verdegrease is deraded. Moreover, the same plates macerated in Vinegar, will afford Verdegrease.

It is sharp, * 1.459 digestive, and attractive: it discusses not onely ten∣der, but hard flesh; and it is not onely mordacious to the gust, but to the very Ulcers. If you adde a little of it to a large Searcloth, the mixture will exterge without mordacity. Many erre in ascri∣bing a Sarcotical or Epulotical faculty to many Medicaments, when they of themselves are not, but become such by composition. Galen.

CHAP. 7. Of Iron.

NOthing is more common, nothing more useful, and nothing more nocent, then Iron: for, neither houses, stables nor ships, nor yet such things as respect mans vesture and aliment, can be had or made without Iron; seeing no labour is suscepted, no work absolved, without the adjument hereof: for all Artificers need some Iron Instrument to their work. All which I will not in spe∣cial prosecute, seeing it is notorious to every Rustick.

For, not onely Plough-shares, Saws, Hatches, Sickles, Tongs, and Needles; but also Swords, Spears, Darts, Arrows, and Canon∣bullets, which beat down whole Cities and Fortresses, killing men, and perpetrating a thousand slaughters, are made of Iron: which Pliny not induring, cries out, we do not only use Iron at hand, but send it to do our mischief at distance; one while ejecting it out of Slings, another-while of Cross-bowes, and sometimes making it fly with feathers; as though death were not swift enough, but we must ac∣celerate his feet with wings, and arm him with Iron.

What if Pliny had seen our Canons and bellical torments, where∣with we do not onely overthrow Cities and Walls, but Rocks and Mounts!

But Iron is not the cause of these mischiefs, but the wicked guiles of mans ingeny, which puts that to ill use, which in it self is good: for it makes also wayes and passages, whereby putrid blood is edu∣ced out of the veins; corruption ejected out of the breast; frag∣ments of bones, and other things that would molest the brain, drawn out of the seull; corrupt teeth evelled from the gums; the o••daverous flesh of Ulcers removed; a putrid member abscinded, left it should draw the rest into its consort. What needs more? We cannot live without Iron; for else we might effode Dens with our Nails, in stead of Houses, and car our Meat like Beasts.

There are two sorts of Iron: one retains its name, the other being more defaecated, is called Steel. There are two differences of the former; the one may be melted and drawn, of which they make many rustical instruments; the other may be melted, but not drawn, being very fragil, whereof they make molten Pots, and other culinary instruments: After which use, Scaliger thinks it is not useless, but may be molten again; as also, that same which he elswhere says onely mollifies: for we see, that both sorts may be melted by ardent heat; yea, some at Lutetia seek and buy the frag∣ments of Iron Pots, which they carry to the furnaces, and melt over again.

Some say, that Steel is nothing but Iron accurately defaecated; and many boast, That they can work Iron into Steel: It hath its Latine name from Chalybo, a Town in Assyria; yet that of Da∣mascus is most laudable, for a Sword of that Steel will cut Iron.

There is a Powder made of Steel-dust, which Alchymists call ••lars his Saffron: but Iron-dust duly prepared, is every whit as good. We have treated of both in our Shop.

And as Brass hath its aerugo or Verdegrease, so hath Iron its fer∣rugo or rust; whereby it is eroded and absumed, in lieu of its fault, as it were, of effusion of blood: for Iron tincted with blood, pre∣sently contracts rust.

There is a certain kinde of execrement which eructates out of Iron, which they sometimes call its dross, sometimes its scales, some∣times its recrement, and sometimes its dung: but those are pro∣perly called Iron-scales, which break from it, while its beaten with hammers; and that its recrement or dung, which is clicited by ••gnition.

Many assert, That Iron-rust will cure Ulcers; * 1.460 and that Telephus King of Mysia, wounded by Achilles, was thereby persanated: for this, as also its dross, astringe and siccate; whence they are mixed with Medicaments of a siccative faculty.

All Iron is roborative; and thence some waters become Medici∣nal, which the Normans call Forgenses, borrowing eximious ver∣tues from Iron.

CHAP. 8. Of the seventh Metal.

SOme say, This seventh Metal is Mercury, others Amber; but nei∣ther of these are more then in a potency to be Metals: but it seems rather to be Stibium, which is more truly called a Metal, which is another great Alchymistical Idol, and the sole Empyrical Cathartick, whereby they jactitate to cure all diseases; but they too anxiously perturb some mens Ventricles, by moving them both upward and downwards; others they miserably torment, by too vigorous purging; some they kill, and restore very few to sa∣nity.

One Corn: Gemma, a Physician of Lovanium, saith, That a Para∣celsian English Medick, being himself and his wife detained by a Fever, took himself, and gave to his wife, that they call prepared Antimony; whereupon she fell quickly distracted, and changed her life, yet valid, with death: He, complaining of dreams, and continual watchings, seven dayes after his dejection, began to dote and roave; from that he became Epileptical; from his Epilepsie he fell into a Lethargie, being therewithall somewhat Apoplectical; when he had been detained three dayes in that sopour, he fell again to his roaving, and was so agitated with fury, that not long af∣ter, he expired, and passed from his conjugal bed, to his conjugal tomb.

Yet this Antimony is by some so artificially prepared, * 1.461 that being opportunely given, it produces admirable effects: for an eximious sudatory, inferiour to none, may be made of it. Neither is that Powder contemptible, which they call Flower of Stibium; for if it be prepared by perite, and exhibited by learned Artists, it pro∣fits much. Yet very good Medicks forbear to prepare or exhibit it, because they have much better Medicaments, whereby they may more securely cure any disease.

CHAP. 9. Of Ceruse.

AS Iron hath its rust, * 1.462 and Brass its verdegrease; so hath Lead its Ceruse, which some call the flower of Lead, and others, after Galen, Psymmithion.

And although Ceruse erupt like Verdegrease, by the benefit of Vinegar, yet is not green, but very white: whence Painters, to whom it is of much use, call it White-lead; and it is made after this or the like manner:

Sharp Vinegar is in the Summer-time infunded into a pot with a broad orifice, a plate of Red-Lead is superimposed, and the vessel

so occluded, as nothing can expire. When the plate of Lead is taken off, which is most commonly on the tenth day, that crasser matter that falls to the bottom of the vessel, is collected and sic∣cated: afterwards it is grinded with a Hand-mill, and sifted, then coacted into a Masse or Pastils with a little Vinegar, and preser∣ved.

It may also be made of Lead-dust, immerged and resolved by the space of ten dayes in very sharp Vinegar. It is sometimes also made of the same Plates infused and deraded, and again macerated and deraded; the same again and again reiterated, till they be re∣solved; then their rasure must be collected, brayed, sifted, and co∣acted with Vinegar.

Painters do not onely seek after white Ceruse, but women also, to fucate their faces; yet by its undue use, the teeth become black and worm-eaten, and the breath foetid. The best is that they call Rhodiaca, or that we now call Puteolis.

Ceruse baked in a new earthen pot upon burning coals, will ac∣quire by ustion a red colour, and so become Sandix, which is an ar∣tificial Vermilion, and not Sandaracha, as some think.

Before Ceruse ingrede the composition of Salves, Unguents, and Collyries, it should be prepared, that is, washed, that it may desiccate and astringe moderately, without any mordacity; and that in some fit liquor, as in simple water, or Rose-water, thus:

Let a convenient quantity of Ceruse be taken, and brayed in a stone-Morter with a wooden Pestel; then let water be poured upon it; then let it stand till the Ceruse be quiet in the bottom of the Morter; then abject the water: let more again be poured in; agitate it; then suffer it to reside, and eject the water as before: then again pour new water in; and so let the work be iterated, till the water poured in and agitated, appear clear and pure, without filth.

These duly performed, let the Ceruse be laevigated on a red Mar∣ble stone; then dryed, and again brayed, and then formed into Pastils with Rosewater, and reposed for future uses. Some bray it with Vinegar, and subact it into a masse; others with another li∣quor accommodated to their intentions.

Ceruse refrigerates, siccates, astringes, extenuates, expletes, * 1.463 re∣presses excrescencies, and perduces to a scar: it cannot be assumed at the mouth without peril.

CHAP. 10. Of Cadmia, both factitious and fossile.

CAdmia, which the Arabians call Climia, is either fossile and native, which is the stone out of which Brass is drawn, and is

called Brass-Ore, which Artificers use in making yellow Brass; which the shop-men call Aurichalcum, or Orichalcum; or else it is factitious.

The native is often found in Metal-Mynes: it is a yellow stone, very hard; appearing of two colours when it is not accended, but all over luteous when accended: and it is probable, this is the stone which Albertus calls Didachos, or the Devils-stone. The rivulets and torrents of Cyprus sometimes afford such a stone, which, being of many colours, some call it, The Rainbow-gemme; of which we have before spoken: but indeed it is neither the Rainbow nor Didachos.

Factitious Cadmia is a dense body, concreted of the smoke of Brass melted in a furnace, driven by the wind, and cleaving to the sides and roof of the furnace. Galen saith, it is no matter whether we call it an earth or a stone; out of which, some Brass, some Cad∣mia, and some Diphryges, is drawn: for the stone Pyrites burnt in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 furnace, affords Cadmia.

There are five sorts of factitious Cadmia: * 1.464 the first is called Ca∣pnitis, which is found in the very orifice of the furnace; which is so exust and tenuious, that it resembles Embers: the second is called Ostraticls, which for the most part is black, and looks like a pot∣sheard, being more grave, and therefore it delabes to the bottom of the furnace; and it is the most sordid of all: Galen calls it Sp••d••s or Spodium: the third and fourth are found in the middle of the fur∣nace, and they are called Placitis and Botrytis: Placitis is crusty, and encompassed with segments, as with Zones; which is less pondrous, and adheres to the sides of the furnace; under which Onichitis is found. Botrytis is moderately heavy, in face and colour like Spo∣dium; which when broken, is cineritious and aeruginous. The first is as it were the thinner smoke of the Brass, which adheres to the top of the furnace: of which hereafter.

All Cadmia is well and frequently had in the furnaces of Cypra••, which they make of that stone, which in dignity they call Cad∣mia: They make whiter Cadmia of Silver, but it is not compara∣ble to that of brass.

Cadmia desiccates gently, * 1.465 absterges, and helps humid and putrid Ulcers, and draws them to scars.

CHAP. 11. Of Spodium.

NOthing is more frequently inculcated or heard in Pharmaco∣polies, and nothing less understood, then Spodium; which all the Apothecaries that I know, make of two sorts: one coming from Greece, and another from Arabia; being in name one, but in nature very different: but that I may speak plainly, there is no Arabi••n

Spodium, but fictitious, as we said before, and shall declare here∣after.

The Graecian Spodium, which is indeed the sole Spodium, is found in brass furnaces, with Pompholix, with which it hath much affinity: and it is then made, when micant sparks ascend from the Metal while it is cocting: and because of their gravity delabe down again upon the pavement; which as they refrigerate, mix them∣selves with filth: and hence this concreted heap of sparkes is in∣quinated, which they call Graecian Spodium, which is of use onely in external affections.

The Spodium of Avicenna, and the rest of the Arabians, if any, is made of very dissimilar matter, to wit, of the burnt roots of Canes; whereunto Avicenna attributes so many dowries, that I cannot but admire the mans credulity, or else simplicity, in writing; seeing it is contrary to reason, that that root by ustion, which they call Spodium, should recreate the heart, help against swounding, quench thirst, allay the heat of the stomack, and cure the Palsey, Melancho∣ly, and other diseases he enumerates.

And grant we, that the Arabian Spodium can effect all these, yet we ought not to prescribe it, because it comes not at us. Apotheca∣ries in its stead substitute burnt Ivory, calling it Spodium; whereas it is indeed rather Antispodium: as also that same they make of fig and Myrrhe-leaves burnt together, whereof Dioscorides speaks more at large.

But as crude Ivory differs much both in nature and faculties from crude Canes, so burnt also: for crude Ivory is better then burnt Ivory.

Seeing then the Arabian Spodium cannot be had; or if it could be had, would not answer to those faculties Avicenn•• puts upon it, and we have no analogous substitute; it should be ••xpurgen from Medicinal receipts: for there is onely one; and that the Ga••cian Spo∣dium, which may not be assumed at the mouth.

The interpreters of the Barbarians language erre in translating the Arabian Tabaxir, or the Indians Traesir, Spodium; for Tabaxil, according to Garcias, is a Persian word, denoting a lacteous liquor, or sweet succe, which the Barbarians call Sacar Mamba; it is got in reeds, or rather trees, which are so great, that they can make many boats out of one; each whereof being excavated betwixt two knots, will hold two men, wherein the Indians sail swiftly, and desond themselves from Crocodiles.

The succe of these trees is very black and cineritious, which they do not onely denominate Spodium, though falsly, but call it burnt ashes by the same name; whereas Antispodium, according to Dios∣corides, is made of ashes: for that the ashes of Canes may be cal∣led Antispodium, and be rightly substituted for defect of the Graeci∣an Spodium, but not assumed at the mouth. Seeing now there is no Tabaxir of which they can make Spodium, but ridiculously burn Ivory for that purpose; we may admit of no Spodium but one,

and that the Graecian, which is a kinde of factitious Cadmial; as also Pompholix, whose disquisition we shall now looke into.

CHAP. 12. Of Pompholix.

POmpholix is a small and volatile spark, which while Brass is trying in the furnace, flies on high, and adheres to its supernal part. At first when it is made, it goes into bubbles and lumps, which by touching, are disperged: for it is like white ashes, and so light, that it easily flies up, and like dust, ad∣heres to the top of the furnace: and while this by its levity is elevated upward, another sort of sparks by their gravity delabe to the Pavement; which we call Spodium: so that both are made in one furnace, both have mutual cognation, and one may supply the defect of another.

Pompholix is by some Seplasiaries called Nil, or Nihil; by other, The Cadmian Bubble; by the Mauritanians, Tuthia: whereof there are two varieties; one fat, which is of a brazen co∣lour; the other very white and light, which is less laudable: for Dioscorides saith, That the Cyprian is best, which dipt in Vi∣negar, smells like Brass, of the colour of Pitch, and tasting as dung.

But before it be used, it must be washed thus: The Pompho∣lix must be bound in a pretty thin linen-cloth, and moved up and down in a vessel full of limpid, pluvial, or fountain-water, that its more useful and tenuious part may flow into the wa∣ter, and the impurer and excrementitious remain in the cloth; then it must settle, and the water be effunded, and clean water affunded, and the cloth again agitated, till nothing that is useful be left therein. There are more wayes of its ablution described by Dioscorides.

Pompholix is almost the best of all those Medicaments which desiccate without mordacity, * 1.466 and therefore very efficacious in cankerous, and other malignant Ulcers, and for the running of the eyes. (Galen 9. Simpl.)

CHAP. 13. Of Litharge.

LItharge is as it were the spume of Metals, purged by fire, or the tenuious recrement of Silver, purged from its Ceruse, excussed and expelled by the help of bellows. And though its matter is multifarious, which some make Lead, others Silver, others Gold, and others Ceruse; yet it draws its origine chiefly from Lead, which mixt with the recrements of Silver, and melted and cocted in the fire, is afterwards separated; for all the recre∣ments of Silver are easily separated by fire: which, if they be plumbeous or aereous, as they are ordinarily, they may by coction be turned into Litharge; which, when cold, is sometimes aure∣ous, sometimes argenteous, according to the brevity or diuturnity of its coction.

That which in colour resembles Gold, is sometimes called Chry∣sitis, sometimes Celauritis; that which represents Silver, Argyri∣tis: not because this contains Silver in it, or the other Gold, but because they have been each more or less cocted then other, or have received more or less of the aereous or argenteous va∣pour.

For Litharge is most-what made in those furnaces, wherein silver is purged from Lead, mixed with its recrements: whence it hath its name, rather from silver, then any other Metal; for Li∣tharge portends as much as silver-stone.

All Litharge then is the product of silver; and that which is flave like gold, is not made of gold, as some think, though it be thence cognominated Gold-Litharge: for degrees and intentions of heat, do not onely change the colour but intend or remit the heat, and vary the name. Thus Diphryges is named, as though it were twice cocted, which is the sibsident dross of perfect Brass, cohering to the bottom of the furnace, like the ashes of burnt wood: when the Brass is taken away, after the the affusion of water; and it is as sharp as burnt Brass, siccates vehemently, cures rebellious Ulcers; and it may be made two other wayes, accord∣ing to Dioscorides and Pliny.

Now besides these two sorts of Litharge, * 1.467 which Dioscorides makes one, he enumerates other two, to wit, Molybditis, which is made of sand in furnaces; and another of Leaden plates, which is the most useful and frequent.

Yet Christis is preferred before all; which should be purged from its Lead and dross, before it ingrede the Composition of any Medi∣cament: to which end Dioscorides sayes, it must be burnt, and wash∣ed like Cadmia; but now they onely levigate it in a morter, put∣ting clear water upon it, and agitating it, then they cast it into ano∣ther

vessel, and pouring more water upon it, agitate it again; and when it is again troubled, cast it into the precedent vessel, and ite∣rate its lotion, till the Lead and dross subside in the morter, and all its tenuions substance be educed, which they make to acquiesce, till all the sincere and pure Litharge rest at the bottom; which when the water is effunded, they collect and levigate upon a Marble, that the tongue may not perceive any asperity therein.

Litharge refrigerates, * 1.468 astringes, represses, occludes, ex∣pletes cavities, exterges, draiv•••• to scars, and cures gallings by riding.

Finis Libri Secundi.

THE THIRD BOOK OF Medicinal Matter.

TREATING Of Medicaments taken from Animals, either whole or in part.

THE PREFACE.

OUr Mother Nature hath produced nothing either imperfect, or in vain, but hath brought forth variety of Plants for the sake of Animals, and several species of Animals for Plants: Many of them are ordained for Food and Nutriment; some, for Medicament; and other for Vesture. One Animal is an enemy to another, but all are subservient to Man: For there is no Insect, how vile and base soever, which doth not afford some pro∣sit to Man. For the most imperfect Creatures, usually afford the most per∣fect Remedies; as, from Claws, Horns, Excrements, Blood, Flesh, Mar∣ro••, Testicles, and Bones: Besides, those very wounds which are made by certain Animals, are cured by the Application of same part of the same Animal: Nay indeed, the whole Earth doth abound with innumerable ••endedies, for the variety of Maladies. What excellent Vertues do those Medicines afford, which are derived from humane Bodies! of which first here we intend to speak; viz. Of Mumy, and Man's Blood: whose fa∣culties to emblazon, would require a larger Discourse, then this our intend'd brevity will permit.

CHAP. 1. Of Man's Blood.

ALchymists educe a certain Oyl, and stillatitious water out of Man's Blood; the dogmatical onely use it to burstness, in whose stead Hogs blood may rightly be substituted, as Galen ad∣vises, who saith (Lib. 3. de Alin.) that Swines blood doth so nearly accede to Mans blood, that he that findes any thing in Mans blood useful for Medicine, shall finde the same in Swines blood.

Blood is Natures Treasury, generated by heat in the greater Veins of the Liver, which is the prime organ of sanguification, from the purer portion of Chyle; through which Veins it is car∣ried as it were along tubes to the several parts of the body for their nutrition: and as long as it is herein contained, it is liquid and red; but when effunded, it presently concretes: onely the blood of Harts and Does wanting fibres, concretes not, but remains fluid like Milk: for Hippocrates averres, That blood concretes not, when the fibres are taken away.

Now blood being the matter of the whole body, according to the Philosopher; the blood of man, who is the rule of other Ani∣mals, is fincere and thin, hot and moist, and the best of succes: yet it is not a simple humour, but participates of Phlegm, and both the Biles: And therefore Hippocrates saith, That the four Humours are the matter of mans generation, as Galen attests (Lib. 2. de Temp.)

Blood then is an humour generated in the Liver, of a temperate part of Chyle, moderate in substance and qualities, in colour red, in sapour sweet, and naturally contained in Veins and Arte∣ries, whereby it is directed to all parts (Lib. 3. de Part. Animal.) for as water is from one fountain and original, deduced into many ri∣vulets, others arising from these, till the humour pervade all Re∣gions: so Nature hath directed blood through the whole body, it being the matter of the whole.

The blood of a diseased or intemperate man, must not be collect∣ed and kept in shops, for the confection of any Emplaister; but from some temperate and sound man, if it may be had; as the blood of such as are beheaded: for their Veins and Arteries being cut to∣gether, their veinous and arterious blood is promiscuously col∣lected.

Yet neither the blood of this, or any other Animal, is of much value or vertue in the confecture of astrictive salves, because by siccation and asservation, it neither retains any of its native bonity, nor yet assumes any excellent acquisititious quality.

CHAP. 2. Of Mumy.

RHasis and Avicenna contend, That Mumy is an Arabick word, denoting Pissaphaltum; Isaac saith, It is a Persian word, signi∣fying a certain liquor, found in Sepultures, where aromatized car∣cases had been long reconded: one fellow calls it Cerops; upon what ground I know not, unless because it hath the consistency of Wax; for Num with the Persians denotes Wax.

It is found onely in the Tombs of Aegyptian Kings and Nobles, who hearing of a Resurrection, made their bodies be condited with Myrrhe, Cinnamome, Aloes, and other Spices, that they might con∣serve them.

But many years after, when the Souldiors in time of Wars de∣vastated all places, everting Sepulchres, they found in some coffins a certain odorate and pleasant liquor, of the spissitude of honey; which, when the Aegyptian Medicks and Philosophers judged upon good grounds to be indued with eximious faculties, they believed it might work the cure of some affections, and therefore they made tryal of it, and found the event answerable to their opinions; they restoring many to sanity thereby.

They then being imboldened by this experience, sought this con∣diture in other Noble-mens Sepulchers, which they inverted, and exhausted: yea, they so much envied the happiness of the dead mens bones, that they robbed poor mens coffins of their corruption: which cadaverous liquor they called Mumy, and gave it to the fick.

Nay, it was of so much fame presently, that they would insperge a little Salt and Alome on the carcases of such as dyed of the French disease, Leprosie, or Scab, and after a few moneths collect their pu∣trid matter, and fell it for Mumy: and, what is more horrible, they would take the dead carcases of such as had been suffocated and dry∣ed in the sands of Arabia, and call them Mumy, and give them to the diseased, to be assumed at the mouth.

Yea, many are in that errour still, that Mumy is onely the cada∣verous and dry flesh of bodies corrupted and putrid. Yea, I re∣member I heard a man of much learning, but no great skill in Me∣dicine, amongst a company of famous men, speaking of Mumy, and all contending, that now we had no true Mumy, but a little ta∣bid, foetid, corrupt flesh, in respect of that which was found in the Aegyptian Kings Sepulchres, which was both fragrant and vertu∣ous, say, That Mumy was the flesh of dryed bodies; and that he had seen it lately dryed, while it was adherent to the ribs.

Thus this impious opinion adheres to the mindes of the eredu∣lous, who collecting some filthy matter from mans flesh, a wicked custome indeed, introduced by wretched men, exhibit it to the sick.

We are so farre from possessing the Mumy of the ancient Aegypti∣ans, * 1.469 which was but small, and soon spent, that we cannot have Avicenna his Mumy, which was made of mans corruption, mixed with Pissaphaltum, but are content with the succe expressed out of putrid carcases, and inspissated, which is now kept in Pharmaco∣polies, to mens greatest peril; which perite and prudent men never use in Medicine: for it is absurd to think, that this Mumy should help such as are hurt by falling; nay, will it not rather harm them; and all that use it? for if we fear that any ones blood should clot by falling, have we not Posca and Oxymel, and other inciding Me∣dicaments more conducible?

But seeing no Compound in our Shop requires mans Fat, no more of that.

CHAP. 3. Of Goats Blood.

GOats are either peregrine and cornuted, as the Aethiopian and Cretian; Goats; or vernacular: some whereof have horns, others not: The blood of either, duly prepared, as we have taught in our Shop, is very effectual in breaking the stone; and is the basis of that eximious Medicament we call Lithos Tripticos, to whose com∣ment we have adjoyned this Preparation.

Now there are many varieties of peregrine Goats; amongst which, the Persian Goat, which they call, Pazan, is most commend∣ed, out of whose belly the Bezar-stone is taken, which is com∣mended against the virulent bitings of Animals, Poysons, and ma∣ny malignant Diseases, as we shall declare more at large by and by.

The Cretian Goat, is so called from the Isle Crete, which nou∣rishes no Wolves, no more then England: the French call it Boucestain: it is vested with short and flave hair, bearing two horns crooked backwards; it is so agile an Animal, that it will leap from one rock to another, though six paces distant. Bellonius.

Amongst wilde-Goats, we enumerate Mountain-Goats, Rock-Goats, African-Goats, Bucks, and Roe-bucks; and yet these Ani∣mals differ much from one another, and all from our indigenous Goat, which alone of Animals patiently and willingly admits a companion in venery: whence by a Sarcasm we call him a Cornuto, Goat-like, that patiently tolerates it.

Strepsicetos is by some called a Goat; but I rather think it a Ram: it hath two horns striated, but like the Unicorns horns erect, never used in Medicine.

Strepsiceros, brings me to think of Monoceros, which many douht is a meer Chimaera: for, if it have a being, it is so rare, that it never was seen; and because it is rare, because its nature is unknown; and because that such as write of it, dis∣sent

amongst themselves, men doubt of its being.

Yet that there is such a Beast, the holy Scriptures averre, and its horn, which is daily seen, and prescribed by Medicks against poysons and poysonous affections: Yet I set no less estimate upon Harts or Rhinoceros his horn, then Monoceros his horn, of which many write more then truth. What kinde of Animal it is, of what nature, where it lives, and what vertues its horn is indued with, shall be hereafter more largely explicated.

CHAP. 4. Of Hares Blood.

BOth wise men assert, and experience proves, That Hares blood rosted breaks the stone. This Animal is most notorious, most fearful, and swiftest; which alone, according to Aristotle, hath hair in its mouth, and under its feet. Some say they have seen white Hares; but it is certain, that they are not so, onely they appear such in winter, while they are covered with snow, as with a white garment.

One D. de Vitri, an eximious Noble-man, catch'd a cornuted Hare, whose horns he gave King James of England. It is fabulous, that Hares participate of both Sexes hermaphroditically, and that they can both beget, conceive, and bear.

And the blood is not onely so efficacious, but the whole Hare usted in an earthen pot well covered, and taken with some White∣wine, water, or fit decoction, breaks and expels stones, and there∣fore rightly accedes to Lithontripticons confection.

There is also the Sea-hare, so called, because generated in the Sea: it resembles our Land-hares; which is very much an enemy to the Lungs, and Women with Childe: of which see Rondele∣tius.

CHAP. 5. Of Fats; and first of Harts Marrow.

Marrow is in every Animal the aliment of its bones; it cali∣fies, allayes dolour, resolves, mollifies hard tumours in any part; but especially Harts Marrow; next to that is Calves Marrow: the Marrow of other Animals is sharper, and more intempe∣rate.

A Hart is a well-known Animal, which superates all other cor∣nigerous beasts, both in pulchritude of form, amplitude of horns, and variety of branches: But nature denied horns to Deer; and those that first erupt out of the Male, are erect without branches: whence the Bucks are called Subulones: afterwards their horns are bifidous, afterwards trifidous: they are at first vested with a skin,

and soft Down; but after they are expofed a while to the Sun, they become rough, hard, and glabre.

All cornigerous Animals, except the Hart, bear hollow horns; but his are all over solid, which fall off yearly; and then being dis∣armed, he hides himself daily, till new ones erupt; and these cor∣nicles are as roborative, and as much resist venenate affections, as Monoceros his horn. Experience hath also proved, That a Harts genitals are very efficacious in curing the Pleurisie, Collick, and Dy∣sentery. There is a certain concreted liquor, Gumme-like, which we call Harts-tears, in the greater angle of an old Harts eye, which by an admirable propriety moves sudour copiously, and oppugnes the venenate quality of the Pestilence, and other malign af∣fections.

Eutyceros and Platyceros are a kinde of Harts: But I leave the nature of them to be described by such as undertake the absolute History of Animals.

CHAP. 6. Of Goats Suet.

MArrow, Suet, Fat, and Grease, have much cognation each with other, which are onely found in Animals indued with blood, but not all in all; for some are onely proper to some beasts, as Suet to cornigerous Animals, Fat to some cloven-footed Ani∣mals, all Birds, and many four-footed Beasts; which is that same which the French, when salted, call Vicil oing; when fresh, Saing doulx.

Now Suet differs from Fat or Grease, in that it is fragile, and concretes by cold; whereas Grease is liquid, and may not be hard∣ned: they differ also in place; for Fat is found betwixt the skin and flesh, Suet alwayes in the panicle about the Reins; and in the end is flesh.

Those Animals whose blood is more corpulent, have more of Suet; for Suet, according to the Philosopher, is terrene; and hence it is coagulated like fibrous blood: wherefore, such cornigerous Animals as are not toothed on both sides, being by nature dry and terrene, are pregnant with Suet; but such as are not cornige∣rous, and yet toothed on both sides, have Fat in its stead, which be∣ing not terrene, is not coagulated.

Therefore Suet being made more terrene then Fat, is therefore taken for the Confection of Unguenti Citrinum; if it be not the Fat of a Goat, or a Ram, or a Kid; for those are proper: Concerning which, to speak more words is in vain.

CHAP. 7. Of Swines Grease.

AXungia, or Grease, is so denominated ab axibus unguendis, from greasing Axle-trees, that the wheels may run more easily and smoothly: yet it is of much use in Medicine, especially Swines grease, to the confection of certain unguents and salves; which is most liquid, flowing like Oyl; yea, it mollifies, concocts, and re∣solves more then Oyl; it is indued with a lenitive and anodynous quality: and thence it may be usefully adhibited, to mitigate the acrimony of humours, allay dolours, temper inflammations, and resolve humours; or aptly mixed with Cataplasms, instituted to the same effects. The grease of hotter Animals, as of Lyons, is more efficacious in resolving: for a Swine is not intemperate in the first qualities, and therefore it waxes so soon fat, and is so multiparous, being stimulated to venery, and exercising congress before the year end. Its Snout is repanded, its neck short and crafs, hispid with rigid bristles: the Males resticles, which are not long, hang be∣hinde, as in other four-footed Animals: its teeth are long and ben∣ded; but the Female want such fangs, or at least they are not so perspicuous: both of them have intorted tails; as also a Boar, which is a wilde Swine.

CHAP. 8. Of Bears Grease.

BEars Grease, is hotter and dryer then Swines, but colder and moister then Lyons Grease: it is not onely commended solely to Moulds in the heels, and falling of hair, but mixed with other resolvent unguents, to make them more efficacious.

A Bear is an Animal of a horrid aspect and vociferation; for its voice is iracund, minacious, and full of terror: its mouth is very patulous, its teeth serrated, its nostrils wide, its ears decur∣tated, its whole body rough, with prolix hairs, and its tail so short, as it can scarce be perceived.

The She-Bear is very venereous, often sollicitating the Male to congress, lying on her back, and amplecting him: her young is not without form till she lick them, as it is commonly credited: which error Scaliger disproves, (Exer. 15. contra Cardan.)

CHAP. 9. Of Goose Grease.

ALl Greases are somewhat ingrateful, subverting the ventricle, except Goose grease, which participating of some suavity, is more expetible in culinary matters; and it is much celebrated in Pharmacopolies: also being adhibited alone to the ear, against that noise that precedes hardness of hearing; and is also mixed with many other resolvent Medicaments.

A Goose is both carnivorous, and frugivorous, conversant both in watery and plain places, both domestick and wilde, changing its seat and soly at certain times; they fly by companies like Cranes.

Some superstitiously believe, That Geese are as good keepers as Dogs, because one by chance saved the Capitol, awaking the Soul∣diers with its profound clamour; who seeing a few French-men ascending the walls with Ladders, fell upon them with violence, and routed them. For which benefit, the Romans held Geese sacred a long time: But after a while, deposing this Superstition, they used Geese in their Banquets; they yielding very laudable alimony and odour when they are rosted, and grateful sapour when eaten: Some refer Swans, and the like, to this kinde: but Cooks have more to do therewith then Apothecaries.

CHAP. 10. Of Ducks Grease.

Ducks Grease is also of use in Medicine, which we adhibit by it self to the dolour of the joynts, and mixed with other Medicaments and Salves, to the cold distemper of the nerves; for it is mollitive, calefactive, resolvent, and anodynous.

A Duck is of the kinde of whole-footed Birds; which whether domestick or wilde, equally delights in dry and in moist places. Some of the domestick Ducks are all white, others all black, others like Piets, partly white, partly black; and others subcineritious, as all wilde ones are.

Drakes, whether domestick or wilde, are greater, and more va∣riegated in colour, then Ducks; especially about their wings and necks, where their Plumes are mixed with a caeruleously green.

The flesh of fat wilde-Ducks, though hard, is sweet, and gets good blood; but that of the domestick is more excrementitious and insuave, for they feed upon unwholesome edibles; as guts, and often Toads, which they sometimes swallow whole.

Many think, that the Pontian Ducks feed upon poysons: whence

Mithridates mixed their blood with Antidotes against poyson: they live for the most part in Rivers, Lakes, and Fenny places. Many other Birds, as Teals, and the like, are referred to this kinde.

CHAP. 11. Of Capons Grease.

CApons grease is of a middle nature, betwixt Swines and Goose grease: when fresh, * 1.470 it is good against the affections of the Womb; it conduces also to the clefts in the lips, dolours of the ears, and swellings of the paps: when it is old, it califies and re∣solves more potently.

A Hen is of Birds most useful to man, and most foecund: for besides her flesh, which she gives to him for meat, she alwayes ex∣hilits most commodious soeture; for they daily either lay or sit on Egges, or exclude Chickens; which, while very young, are desired by some; when more adult, pleasant to all palates; and when saginated and castorated, fit for Courtiers.

For this kinde of flesh, is of all most easie of concoction, of the best succe, and most idoneous for all natures and temperaments. I do not approve of their sentence, who rather prescribe the broth of an old Cock, which is alwayes maculent, then of a young one sat and good, to their Patients. I prefer the broth of a Capon or fat Hen, before this; and if there be necessity of some nitrous quality, I would seek it elswhere; for all Cocks are fleshless and succeless; but especially old ones, because they have spent all their laudable succe in venery.

We have three sorts of men; one whereof superates the rest in magnitude, whose bills and feet are lureous, which lay greater Egges, and are less foecund; as the Londunian Hens, which Va••r•• calls Medical, because they were brought from Media.

Others are smaller, with crisped feathers, which fall off more thence once in a year; so that they are sometimes implumeous in winter: others are the vulgar, which are continually vested with feathers; some whereof are black, which are thought the best; others white, the worst; and others variegated, which are thought to be in a mean.

Some prescribe the interiour tunicle of a Hens second ventricle, to such as have weak stomacks, to help the coctive faculty; but without answerable success: for its temper is vitiated by the Hens death and desiccation, and its coctive quality perished; for it is certain, that there are many things in an Animal, when living, that perish by death.

Besides, there are many more Countrey Hens, as the Water-Hen, and the Mountain-Hen, called Modcock, or Woodcock.

There are also peregrine-Hens, as Turkey-Hens, and Phasians, and Meleagrian, or African-Hens, whose variegated colour gave

a name to a certain Herb, bearing a variously maculated flower.

And as the colour of many birds is various, so of their egges also; as the egges of Partridges, Pey-hens, Turkey-hens; but ours are alwayes white, as also the egges of our Geese, Ducks, and Stock-doves.

We often use egges in Medicine; for we solve yolks in Glysters, and we can scarce wash Turpentine with their adjument: we ex∣tract Oyl out of them, when hardned; and we have an eximsous Electuary denominated from egges, which is much commended against the Plague.

But we use them most in Cibaries: for Hippocrates saith, They have something of strength in them, because they are the matter of Animals; they nourish, because they are the Milk of Chickens; and they increase, because they diffuse themselves much.

Soft egges are most nutritive; hard and fryed egges, bad: Hens, Phasians, and Partridges egges, the best of the kinde.

Galen saith, An egge admits onely of one pravity, and that comes by age, which you may eschew, if you take them while new.

CHAP. 12. Of Butter.

OUt of the more terrene part of the Milk, we have Cheese; and out of the fatter, which we call Cream, by much agitation in a Churn, comes Butter, which is had in delight by many Nations, because it affects the palate with its suavity; as Normanish Butter, which the Incolists condite with Salt in earthen Pots, and send into all parts of France, where it supplies the place of Oyl; for it e∣mends the sapour of many dishes, and makes them more ex∣petible.

It is usefully mixed to the Eclegm de Pineis, and many extrinsecal Medicaments instituted to lenisie, humectate, mollifie, and allay dolours: for, being hot and oleous, it helps the disease in the groyns; and Impostnumes in the head: It cocts humours lodging in the breast, by way of liniment, and solves the ventricle; but especially the Butter of Cows Milk, which is more copious, bet∣ter, sweeter, and wholesomer: for some make Butter of Sheep and Goats-milk, but that we do not approve of.

Now this vaccineous kinde is distinguished by four degrees in age: the first is of Calves, the second of Heisers, the third of young Kine, and the fourth of old ones. The Herdsmen call a bar∣ren Cow Taura, and a pregnant one Horda, or Forda.

Cattel change the habit of their bodies, colour of their hairs, and nature, according to the state and condition of the soyl and heavens in several Regions. Hence Asiatical Cattel have one

form, Epyrean another, and French another.

Cattel, whether Male or Female, are cornigerous; yet in Mysia, and about Maeotis, they have no horns; and in India they have some∣times but one horn apiece, and others three horns. The Aonian Cow hath but one horn in the middle of its forehead, Unicorn∣like.

There are more varieties of Oxen and Kine; which to discuss ex∣actly, appertains not to us: for, it is enough if we say, That Milk and Butter, whereof we have some use in Pharmacy, comes of Kine; for Milk doth not onely nourish, as it is white blood, but cure many affections of the Dysentery, Consumption, and vices of the Lungs; for which, Asses Milk is best, next to Wo∣mans.

Cattel suppeditate so many and so great commodities to man, that they can scarce be enumerated: for, the Ox is not onely his companion in his Labour and Agriculture while he lives, but when killed, his Tables ornament, and his own firm and laudable aliment.

To this family we may refer Buffs, Bugles, wilde Oxen, and Aethiopian Bulls: The description of whose nature, I leave to them that write the perfect History of Animals.

CHAP. 13. Of Foxes Lungs.

MEsue commends Foxes Lungs to the vices of the Lungs, and from them denominates a certain Eclegme, which, he saith conduces to such as are in a Consumption; but, that I may speak freely, their ingrateful sapour, and stinking odour, cause very learn∣ed men to judge them less efficacious then they are thought.

A Fox is a crafty Animal, with a bushy tail, and an osseous geni∣tal, apt to break and expel the stone: he layes wait for Hens, and other young birds, and Hares also; he makes himself a deep cave, with many turnings and holes, much distant from each other, that he may better delude the hunters.

His flesh is dry and digestive; the oyle wherein he is elixated, * 1.471 is called Foxes Oyl: it evokes humours to the external superficies of the body, and discusses them: whence it is convenient to the Gout.

His fat melted, and poured into the ear diseased, allayes its do∣lour.

CHAP. 14. Of the Beaver's stones, called Castor-Cuds.

CAstor Castorium, is apt and expetible for many Medicinal uses. Now a Castor is an amphibious Animal, whitely ci∣neritious, and black on the back, living partly on the water, and partly on the earth, sucking meat from both places, like an Otter; to which it is very like, except in its tail; which is glabre, broad, and squamous, Fish-like; but the Otters is long, round, hispid, and yellow, as its whole body is also.

There are many Castors about the rivers in Pontus, and also in the sens in Spain; but their stones have not the same faculty with them of Galatia.

The Castor will bite horridly; for if it catch hold of a man, it will not let the part go, till it feel and hear the broken bones crack, and rub one against another: its testicles are chiefly Medicinal; which it doth not bite off with its own teeth, when pursued by hunters, as it is sabulously storyed of it.

The convex testicles must be chused for Medicaments, which de∣pend upon one string, pregnant with a watery humour, graveolent, and bitter to the gust. This Medicament is both famous and use∣ful, according to Galen, insomuch as Archigenes wrote a whole book of the use of Beavers-stones.

They califie manifestly, * 1.472 cure Serpents poyson, move fluors and delivery, help Lethargy, and sluggishness, and the affections of the Nerves.

CHAP. 15. Of Animals Excrements; and first of Musk.

SOme Animals are hunted and taken for meat, as Harts, Hares, and Boars; others for Medicine, as Vipers; others for plea∣sure and odorament, as the Musk and Civet-Cat; the Beaver also and Badger, for Medicaments and vesture.

Musk is the name of an excrement, and of the Animal whose excrement it is: the Animal is exotical, being in India in the King∣dom of Pegu, not much unlike a she-goat, with a praegrand body: they call it the Musk-Buck, the Musk-Roe, and the Musk-Goat; out of whose inferiour jaw, there erupts as many teeth, and as great as them of Hogs.

When this beast is moved with venery, her umbilical region swells through the vehemency of her fury; and there much crass blood being congested, makes up an imposthume, and then the fierce Animal refuses all meat and drinks, convolving it self along the ground, and rubbing the part swelled against trees and stones with

pleasure, till it breaks and opens its bladder; out of which, corrupt matter runs, which is true Musk; of all things, the most odorate and suaveolent, in bonity much superating all the varieties of Musk we see.

This corruption left upon stones, and trunks of trees, is by the heat of the Sun, and influence of the heavens, cocted and elabora∣ted; and its foetid odour, if it had any, dissipated; and so it be∣comes most excellent Musk, which none but Kings and Noble-Men obtain. But that which is ordinarily sold, is far inferiour, being drawn from Animals catched by hunting. For when the hunters catch this beast, they abscind its hide, with some flesh; express, collect, exsiccate its blood, with its utricles and skin; whose dryed blood, mixed with a small portion of its recrements, they sell for pure Musk.

There is a kinde of greater Weasel, which being Martial and pugnaceous, they call Martes (for it kills great Hens sometimes) whose excrements, as I have oft observed, smell like Musk.

There are also some plants and fruits, which affect the nostrils and palate with this Musky suavity; as sweet-Storks bill, Musk∣rose, and Pears, that savour of Musk.

The faculties of Musk are eximious; for it roborates and exhila∣rates a cold and fearful heart, and conduces to all its affections; it also recreates the brain, and refreshes the spirits: it is hot in the se∣cand, and dry in the third degree.

CHAP. 16. Of Civet.

THree Animals are suaveolent: the Panther; (which many say smells gratefully onely to beasts, and not to men) the Musk∣goat; and the Civet-Cat, which the Greeks call Zapetion; about whose nature the Ancients do not well agree. It is a wilde Ani∣mal, with horrid teeth, not so like a Cat as many write; for it is greater, exceeding in magnitude sometimes a Wolf: its head, neck, feet, and other parts, are very unlike a Cat's; its mouth is long; like a Badgers mouth; its body long; its inferior jaw white, as also its beard; its feet black; the lateral parts of its belly white; its back obscurely cineritious, and somewhat maculated; its excre∣ment is called Civet: which for its fragrancy rich men desire, and for its efficacy Medicks celebrate.

Civet then is an odorament different from Musk, most sweet, fat, trasse, and blackish, desumed from an Animal, thence called Civet-Cat: for, it is the sudour of this beast, concreting about its testi∣cles and privities; which men erade with a Spoon.

It is an Indian Animal, now cicurated, and frequent in Europe, daily seen, and kept in many mens houses in Lutetia. Now that it may suggest more abundance of this recrement, it must be irritated,

wearied, and provoked to anger; for then its genitals will emit much sudour, which they afterwards erade. At first when deraded, it is graveolent to some men; but when it is concreted, and exposed to the air, it deposes its virulency, and acquires a most grateful suavity.

As its odour challenges affinity with Musk; so also doth its qua∣lity: * 1.473 but it most conduces to the strangulation of the Uterus, if a few of its grains be imposed into the cavity of the Navel.

Both Patients and Physicians eschew the dung of Animals, be∣cause of its foetour and ingrateful sapour: and ingenuous men had rather seek, handle, and exhibit Medicaments, then putrid ex∣crements. Yet Mouse-dung, with white-wine, is good to break and exclude the stone; Dogs-dung cures the Quinsie; Mans dung is much commended in swellings: Nothing is so good a cure for the Epilepsie, which comes from the consent of the inferior parts, and ascent of the more tenuious matter to the head, as Peacocks-dung. But seeing such excrements ingrede not the composition of our Medicaments, we will not trouble our selves with them.

CHAP. 17. Of Isinglass.

THere are many kindes of glewish substances in Apothecaries shops; one whereof is a Minefal, which is apt to conjoyn Gold, and thence called Chrysocolla; another which glutinates wounds and flesh, and stayes the fluxes of the eyes; which is a Gumme of a certain Tree in Persia; this they call Sarcocolla: of these before: a third sort is made of Cattels hides, which they call Hom∣glew, and from its use in conjoyning wood, VVood-glew: there is also a glew made of the belly of a certain fish, called Ichthyocola, whose faculty being to fill up, siccate, and to mollifie a little, it is rightly mixed with glutinative salves, and others, that take away spots, and erugate the face; the Arabians call it Alcanna.

And as Taurocolla is not onely made of Bulls hides, but of the ears and feet of all four-footed beasts: so * 1.474 Fish-glew is not onely made of the belly of one fish, but all viscid and glutinous ones; but especially of that fish which Rondeletius calls Boneless, others Mo∣lua.

The Boneless fish is cetaceous, and cartilagineous; without scales, fins, and bones, except a very few. Its head is very crasse and broad; its mouth large, out of whose upper-jaw proceed soft, long, and pendulous bones; its flesh is glutinous, and ingrateful, unless it be long condited in Salt before it be eaten.

This Fish-glew is not onely made of the skin, but also the inte∣stines, ventricle, fins, and tail of this fish; after this manner: The said parts are cut small, * 1.475 put in a new earthen pot, with a sufficient quantity of hot water, and so macerated a day or two; then coct∣ed

on a slow fire, till they acquire the consistency of Cream, or a Pultess; then they are taken from the fire, and, while warm, out into small pieces, lest they should be made into a great masse.

CHAP. 18. Of Woolls Grease.

ISopus is the humid pinguetude of greasie VVooll, * 1.476 extracted by art and concreted, whereof Phyliagrus makes a salve called Oesya∣nun; which is commended to the dolours of the Spleen, the hard∣ness of the Stomack and Liver, and Nodosities of other parts: for this grease expletes and mollifies, * 1.477 especially the Ulcers of the Funda∣ment and Matrix, with honey and butter: it califies without excess, and allayes dolour.

And thus they confect this Isopus, the succulent wooll of the necks: The foeminals and thighs of Sheep, * 1.478 they take and mace∣rate eight hours in hot water, agitating it with a rudicle or stick; then they fervefie it, till it leave all its pinguetude in the wa∣ter.

Then the wooll being compressed and removed, that fat and for∣did water is poured from on high, that it may cause much spume; which spume they agitate so long in the water, till none be left.

This done, they collect the pinguetude, and wash it, agitating it with their hands in pure water, till it will neither astringe, nor bite the tongue much, and till it appear white; then they repose it in an earthen vessel: and all this should be done in the hot Sun. Some adde Sea-water to the lotion; but this way is best.

Sheep are known to all Nations, suppeditating infinite commo∣dities to men; with whose wooll they are vested, with whose flesh they are nourished, and with whose dung their fields become fat and foecund.

Young sheep are called Lambs; the greater Rams, or Arietes, from Ara, or the Altar whereon they were frequently sacrificed; the gelded ones VVeathers, which differ from Rams, as Geldings from Horses, Capons from Cocks: They call the leader Bell-weather.

The Ram, which the French call Bellerium, from warring, as it is probable, is commendable when tall, with a promisse belly, a long tail, a white and dense fleece, broad forehead, intorted and p••••••∣lous horns, brown eyes, ample ears, ample breast, shoulders, and butocks also.

Arabia produces two admirable kindes of Rams; the one with so long a tail, that it is no shorter then three cubits; another with a tall of a cubits breadth: other sheep are well known.

CHAP. 19. Of Medicinal Bones; and first of a Hart's heart-bone.

IF Animals excrements, which are foetid, be indued with a com∣mendititious faculty to the cure of some affections; as Dogs dung, which some Merry Blades call Album Graecum, to the Quinsie; then much more their integrant parts; as the Elks claws to the E∣pilepsie, Goats claws to such as pisse their beds, and the bones of many fishes, birds and beasts, to other diseases.

Mans bone is also Mans Medicine; for a mans Scull unbu∣ried, duly prepared, and exhibited, cures the Falling-sickness. Ex∣perience also shews, That a Harts heart-bone, a Rhinocerots horn, Elephants, Boars, and Pikes teeth, conduce to many dis∣eases.

A Hart much augments Medicinary Materials; for thereunto it suggests its Horns, Suet, Fat, Marrow, Lachryma, Yard, and that Ossicle which is found in the basis of its heart.

A Hart is a most noble Animal, superating almost all others in pulchtitude, celerity, dignity, and utility; and hence Kings onely, or their Servants, were wont to hunt them. Their flesh also adoms large banquets; and that which is inconvenient for Tables, locu∣pletates Apothecaries Shops.

But that Ossicle which adheres to the basis of an old Harts heart, * 1.479 is most celebrated; which from its figure much resembling a cross, hunters call the Harts cross; which they by experience, and A∣pothecaries by reason, have found very conducible to the affections of the heart.

Young Harts have onely a cartilage, no bone.

In inveterate Harts, there concretes a certain lachryma in the larger angle of their eyes, which admirably produces sudour, and conduces to venenate diseases, as we shewed before; This hearts bone ingredes the confection of Diamoschum, that it may make it more cordial and officacious.

CHAP. 20. Of Ivory.

THe Elephant is of four-footed beasts the greatest, and most obsequious to man; for it doth not onely obey him, but his voice, taking and doing his commands: yea, some would answer their Masters commanding them, with hoo, hoo, that is, in the barbarous Idiome, I will, I will.

Aelianus saw one writing Latine Letters, straight, and in order, upon a table; but his teachers hand was underneath, directing the Animal to the figure and lineament: and when the Elephant

wrote, its eyes were fixed, and dejected, Grammarian-like, on his Master.

Oppianus saith, That it is an old Proverb, That Elephants talk with one another, but cannot be understood by any man, save their Tamers.

Elephants come so near mans ingeny, that they are judged more pradent then men in some places.

They are obsequious, desirous of glory, mindeful of benefits and injuries received, and desirous of retribution or revenge.

That of Aelianus is known, how an Elephant seeing his Master take some of his due from him, and put it in his pot; when he was com∣manded by his Master, to take care that his corn should be reaped and prepared, stole a good part of his barley, putting little stones in in its stead, and so gave his Master his due measure and wonted heap, and kept enough for himself: thus craftily vindicating him∣self for his former injury.

He hath small eyes in reference to his great body; he hath a long Snout, in stead of a Nose, which he uses in stead of a hand, especi∣ally in assuming and ingesting meat and drink; he hath a very small tongue; four short and crass teeth on each jaw, wherewith he breaks and mollifies his aliment; and two very long and very crass ones, which are liker horns: these fall out at set times, and grow again.

And the matter of these is Ivory, which is accommodated to in∣finite uses, especially Medicinal.

And this is that which many Apothecaries burn, and erroneously conceit to be the Arabian factitious Spodium.

And yet it cannot be rightly substituted for Spodium, neither when burnt, nor crude; for by ustion its vertue perishes: and when it is crude, it is no wayes analogal to Spodium: for in pro∣per locution, there is onely one kinde of Spodium, viz. the Grae∣cian Spodium, which they call Pompholix.

But the Arabian's falsly supposed Spodium, is Tabaxir, which agrees as much with burnt Ivory, as Sugar with Rhabarbe: of which we have more largely disserted elsewhere.

Crude Ivory hath many eximious faculties: for, * 1.480 it roborates all bowels, refrigerates and astringes moderately, aligates the do∣lours of the stomack, cohibits vomiting, kills worms, liberates from diuturnal obstructions; and drunk, makes women more apt to conceive.

CHAP. 21. Of the Unicorns-horn.

IF any Animals naturally void of horns, be by chance seen cor∣nuted, we think them monstrous, as the rustick Caenomanus, on whose front grew a crass horn of two palmes length, incurvated to∣wards the hinder part of his head; which we saw for a miracle in Paris, in the year 1600. I never heard of the like, save of one man, that Philippus Ingrassias makes mention of, who had a horn on his back.

Yet there are many cornigerous Animals, especially of the Male∣kinde, bicornuted, as the Ox, and Goat; others tricornuted, as some Indian Oxen; and some quadricornuted, as I have seen some Rams.

Some also bear but one horn, as the Indian Asse; some Kine in Zeila of Aethiopia; the amphibious Animal Camphur, frequent in the Isles of Molucca; also some Aethiopian Birds, and some Fishes; as the Uletif, frequent in the Indian Sea.

But that Animal celebrated not onely in humane but divine Scri∣ptures, which the Hebrews call Rem and Reem; Avicenna, Acherche∣den; the Arabian, Barkaran; the Greeks, Monoceros; the Latins, Unicornis; the Indians, Cartazontes; the French, Licornia; and we Unicorne, excels all these in dignity.

Divers Authors have written variously of this Animal; some making it tall, others low; some wild and sylvestrian, others not onely cicurated by art, but tamed by the sight of a Girle; some∣times lying to sleep beside her, as being delighted with her love and odour: some make its horn black, others yellow, and others white.

Yet they who have lustrated the New-found world, say, that an Unicorn is lower and slenderer then an Elephant, equalizing in magnitude an ordinary Horse; of a musteline or yellowish colour; and some say, subcineritous, with a Harts head, no long neck, a short Mane, rare, and hanging on one side; a rough beard, but short; bifideous hoofes, not thick legs, and a tail like a Boar. (Solin. Plin. Aelian.)

It bears its horn, which is straight, crass, intorted, four or five foot long, according to its age; solid, hard, squamous, yet not cleft∣ed; yellowish without, eburneous within, but not undulated with any lines, and obvallated with a kinde of crass skin, dirempted in circular line from other parts, which Merchants ineptly call its Lard.

Seeing then that an Unicorn is an Animal both rare and wilde, not cicurable, unless it be caught while very young, and its horns do not fall off annually, as Harts-horns do; it is no wonder if its horn be so rare and precious: yet there is one exceeding a mans procerity,

kept as a rich treasure in St. Dionysius his Temple beside Paris, and many little pieces in every Parisian Pharmacopoly, that such may be helped as require its exhibition.

It is much commended against poyson, * 1.481 and to exhilarate and ro∣borate the Noble parts; and therefore it is given to the pestilent, and such as are infected with contagious and venenate diseases: yet all patients being not equally rich, it is onely exhibited to the richer; to others I prescribe Rhinoceros, and Harts-horn, with no less success.

CHAP. 22. Of the Bezaar-stone.

THe Bezaar-stone is either so called from an oriential Animal out of which it is had, which the Persians call Pasan, and some∣times Bazar, and the Indians Bezar; or else from is Bezardical, that is, alexiterial faculty, wherein it is eximious against poyson: and upon that account, a certain Metalline alexiterian stone, is by some Arabians called Bezardical, because they say the Bezaar-stone will expugne all poysons.

But this Bezaar-stone now in frequent use, is not effoded out of Mynes, but taken out of the belly and internals of a certain Ani∣mal, most frequent in Persia, Coraso, and the promontory of Comorim, near Chyma, which such as have have seen it call a Goat; the incolists call it a Mountain-Goat; for in form and magnitude it resembles an European Goat, but its hair is shorter; it is taller, equalizing a Hart in procerity: and it seems to be rightly denominated Hart-Goat, because it partly bears the nature of a Hart, partly of a Goat.

It is a most agile, swift, and fierce Animal, easily leaping from rock to rock, and sometime turning upon the Indian hunters, and killing them; it hath bifidous ungles, like a Goat, slender legs, a prominent and short tail, a rough body Goat-like, but shorter hair, cineriously yellow, like a Hart; a Goats head armed with two horns crooked backwards, and ending in an obtuse point, very black and hollow, in their crasser part, obsited with many tubercles: I saw two at Cowbertum in the Castle of Dom. de Virty.

The aforesaid stone is generated in this Animals belly; whose magnitude, form and colour, are various, according to the nature and age of the Beast; for there are greater stones in the greater and elder beast, lesser in the lesser and younger; all are of an oval figure, but some rounder then others, and others more quadrate.

Their colour is obscure and blackish, or yellow, and more pal∣lid, according to the Animals temperature; whereof such as gene∣rate greater and crasser stones, are less agile, and less apt to run or leap, which live more sadly, and are at the first sight known by hun∣ters. Perhaps these stones are offensive, and preternatural to these Animals, as the stone is to man.

They are generated corticatery, from a small rudiment of coag∣mentated sand, which is by the apposition of some new humour agglutinated, assimilated, and wrought into certain crass plates like onyons, according to the magnitude of the dust, and apposition of the appellent humour.

This sand or dust in the centre of the stone, is of more efficacy then any other part of the stone; all whereof, whether internal or external, are smooth, polite, and splendent: which are not so in adul∣terate stones, wherein there is no dust or sand.

The Persians are the best of Bezaar-stones, next the oriental; but especially those that are taken out of Animals living in the Persian Mountains; for those that live in plains and valleys, feed not upon so salutary plants, as those that inhabit excelse plants: and therefore their stones are not so efficacious.

All of them are much commended against the bitings of vene∣nate beasts: * 1.482 for their powder assumed or adhibited, cures wounds in∣flicted by Scorpions, Vipers, or other Serpents; and insperged on the same Animals, makes them torpid and innocuous. It is story∣ed, that the King of Corduba was freed from a very pernicious poy∣son, by the use of this stone; and therefore some think, Bezaar is rightly deduced from Bel in Hebrew, which signifies Lord; and Z••ar, poyson, calling it the Lord of Poysons.

It conduces upon the same account to all venenate and contagious diseases; as the Pestilences, Morbils, small-Pox, and the like: it cures also swoundings, long sorrows, hysterical passions, and many other malign affections; of which see N. Monard. Christoph. a Costa, and Clusius.

CHAP. 23. Of Margarites and Unions.

MArgarites are taken out of certain Shell-fishes, living in the In∣dian sea, very like Oysters; which if they be small, they keep the name Margarites; if greater, they are called Unions: for, they are found severally, in several Shell-fishes: whence the Poet:

Unde dictus ob hoc, quod ab uno nascitur unus, Nec duo vel pluris unquam simul inveniantur.

Yet Aelianus contradicts this opinion; teaching from experience, that many Unions are generated and found in one Shell-fish, accor∣ding to the abundance of the fishes excrementitious matter, which is pure and lucid: they are not therefore called Unions, because one onely is found in one Shell-fish, but because two are never found conjoyned in the same. Those that are white, round, ponderous,

and smooth, such as Queens weare about their necks, are best.

Many Shell-fishes generate Margarites; but the best are exoti∣cal, which are found in the Persian Sea in the East: whence they are called Oriental Pearls; and in the tracts of Chyna, and many parts of India, where the Incolists call these Margaritiferous Shell∣fishes, Berbert; and some Barbarians, Cheripe; others Chanquo; which is the Mother of Pearl.

This great Shell-fish is spiss, moderately hollow like a comb, but not toothed on both sides, but onely on one; not striated without, but plain, and something flave, smooth, splendent, and argenteous within: it is generated in its flesh, as lumps in hogs flesh, stones in the bladder, or other places: for I saw a man who avoided many stones by stool, each one whereof in magnitude equalized a Chesnut or Acorn.

Fernelius found three stones in the Liver of the dissected carcase of a Noble-man, who in his life-time spitted up some like Marga∣••ites.

But to my purpose: these Shell-fishes exposed to the air, or assayed with a knife, open, and the Margarites are found together with their flesh; which indeed are neither bones, nor part of the piscicle, but something excrementitious, splendent, and concrete, like the shells wherewith they are tected, which are outwardly scabre and impo∣lite, but within smooth and fair: so that the true Mother of Pearls, is never naturally, but alwayes artificially polished.

Those Margarites are greater, which are taken from the greater Conchae, and in the deeper sea.

They are so much sought after by women, that no one, though of mean fortune, thinks she is sufficiently adorned, till she carry Pearls about her neck.

But their use is chiefly Medicinal; for all, both Ancients and latter writers, aver, That Margarites are very cordial, and exhilarate the heart: Alchymists dissolve them, and get thence liquor of Pearls, whereof they predicate many, but ridiculous things.

I knew a very crafty Empyrical Chirurgeon in Paris, who requi∣red six Peices for the adhibition of two Swallows to his Patient; * 1.483 and when all admired he should ask so unreasonably, I should (saith he) have demanded much more, because I fed these Animals a whole Month with the liquor of Pearls.

You may read at large of Margarites, and the Fishes wherein they are generated, their nature, dignity, duration, and vertues, in Rondeletius, Lib. 1. de testaceis. Cap. 51.

CHAP. 24. De Umbilicis Marinis: Of the Sea-Navel.

THe Sea-Navel is either a whole piscicle, whereof Rondeletius makes mention, or a part, bone or regument of some greater fish: the former is a turbinated and small Shell-fish, so like a Na∣vel, that none that see it can chuse but so name it.

The other Umbilike is all osseous, which is either a shell, or the bone of another fish; for many fishes have certain bones given them by Nature, either for the insertion of their fins, whereby they defend their lives, or for the confirmation and motion of their bodies. Thus Sepia is founded upon its bone; thus the Slaits back is armed with many pricks, which by light cocture may be easily sojoyned from its body: whose officles if you take away, their prickles do well represent the Sea-Navel.

We therefore suspect, with Berv. Dessennius, that Sea-Umbilikes are desumed from Sea-Animals, and cast on the shore with other stones; and yet they are not of the same kinde with stones. Some call them Sea-Gems; but their faculties are not so eximious, as that they should be reposed among Gems. Their form is well known, their colour is in some white, in some red: they are frequently sold in France.

CHAP. 25. Of the Dental.

THe Dental is a certain small Shell-fish, oblong, white, sharp without, very smooth within, hollow like a little tube, and acuminated on one side, like a Dogs tooth: whence it is called a Dental; for it is a shell like a tooth, wherein a vernicle is pro∣created; which is oblong, and slender, answerable to the cavity of the shell, which goes out of its domicil, sometimes to draw water, and seek victuals. Both it and its tube, grow as a restaceous Cane upon a Rock, or an old shell: It is indued with the same ver∣tue with the Seas Umbilike, and other testaceous piscicles, and may as well ingrede the composition of the Citrian Unguent, as the former.

CHAP. 26. Of the Antal.

THere is another Sea Shell-fish, called an Antal, whose use in Medicine is very frequent, if we make the Citrian un∣guent.

It is a testaceous tube bred in the Sea, of a little fingers length, striated without, smooth and hollow within; out of whose cavity a small piscicle is educed.

This seems to be the fish which Athenaeus calls Solen; for that is of the kinde of long Shell-fishes, with a double shell, smooth, slen∣der, and hollow like a reed, and open at both ends. Pliny calls it a Dactyl, or a Digit, because it equalizes a finger in longitude; or as some say, resembles a mans nail. However, the Antal we use is very well known and vulgar; neither should we lose any precious Me∣dicament, if it were absent; for we can substitute in its stead a∣ny shell that is white and striated, which strangers bring from the Sea, near that famous Mount which is sacred to St. Michael: for all of them are of an equal vertue, as to the confecture of the said un∣g••ent; whereunto also another accedes, not easily known by name; some call it Amentum; others Amiantus; for it is yet doubted, whe∣ther Amentum be that stone Amiantus, which is of a whitish green, and by many called Scissile-Alome; from which it differs much.

For Scissile-Alome is manifestly astrictive; and being injected upon coals, burns; but plumeous Alome is acrimonious, safe from flame, and well termed Amiantus, or Amentum, or Amiantum, which the Citrian Unguent admits of: but I dare not assert this for cer∣tain, seeing Amentum is a barbarous word well understood by none, as it appears by the opinions of such Authors as have written of it: for Theophrastus will have it the name of a tree; Matthaeus Sylvaticus, burnt glass; Manlius burnt lime; some Suet, or the fat of glass; others, Talkum, or the specular glass, which is indeed very conve∣nient for this Unguent; as also plumbeous Alome, which Apo∣thecaries by good reason use for Amentum, or Amiantus.

There is also much mention in shops, of Bizantian Blatta, which is a cover very like that wherewith the Purple-fish is tected; yet this similitude is onely as to their substance and faculties, and not as to their forms: for the tegument of the Purple-worm is round, ac∣cording to Rondeletius; and this Blatta long and strict, found in nardiferous lakes, and thence suaveolent; for these worms eat Spikenard, and this Blatta is called the odorate Nayl, for it smells somewhat like a Beaver. But I will not longer insist upon its de∣scription, because it ingredes no Medicament in our Shop.

CHAP. 27. Of Tortoises.

TOrtoises are either aquatical, living in the Sea, or sweet-watel; or amphibious, living partly on the land, and partly on the wa∣ter: whence Pliny comprehending them all in a quaternal number, calls them either Marine, or Fluvial, Terrestrial, or Palustrian.

A Tortoise is a candated Animal, with four feet, squamous, in∣grateful to the sight, whose shell is of an oval form, long, broad, hollow within, and without extuberant like a Buckler, under which it sometimes hides its head, tail, feet, and all; and sometimes it puts them out even at pleasure.

This alone of squamous Animals, according to Aristotle, hath Reins, and a Bladder: it layes Egges with hard shells of two co∣lours, which it reconds in a Ditch, excavated like a hogshead, and covers them with the earth; which it makes even, and so sits upon it, till its young ones be excluded.

Solinus saith, That in the Indian Sea there are Tortoises of so great a magnitude, that their shells, open at the bottom, and joyned at the top, make so large houses for the vulgar Indians, that a nu∣merous family may dwell therein. Yea, some use them in stead of Boats, wherein they sayl from one Isle to another in the Red-Sea.

With the Troglodites they are cornigerous, but less then the In∣dian.

Tortoises are of much use, * 1.484 both in Cibaries and Medicine; for their decoction helps such as are consumed and attenuated: and therefore they usefully ingrede the confecture of the resumptive Syrupe. Many delight in their flesh, but it is such a deformed Ani∣mal, in head, tail, feet, form, colour, and spots, resembling the Ser∣pentine kinde, that nature seems to note it as offensive and unwhole∣some: which they also confess who love it; but that its dres∣sing and condiments make it less noxious, for else it were hor∣rid.

CHAP. 28. Of Frogs.

MYropolists use whole Frogs, in the composition of Vigonius his salve, which the Author described for the cure of a disease proper to his own Nation. Sylvius also saith, Their decoction will ease the Tooth-ache, if the mouth be washed therewith: their ashes, with Pitch, according to Dioscorides, or rather with Honey, according to Pliny, will bring again fallen hairs. The Emplaisters wherewith they are mixed, are thence siccative, and discussive,

especially in the dolours of the junctures: They are Antidotal a∣gainst Serpentine poysons, according to Dioscorides, if they be de∣cocted, eaten with Salt and Oyl, and their broth supped.

But all Frogs are not edible; whereof there are many varieties: for some delight solely in water, and live there ordinarily; others on the dry soyl: others also are amphibious, living equally on the water and earth.

Some of the watery Frogs live in Fenny and muddy places, and are pernicious, acceding near the nature of Toads; others live in limpid and fountain water, and are wholesome, and reposed among Cibaries.

Some of those that feed on dry soyls, live amongst reeds, others amongst bryars and thorns: the former, which are least of all, are called Calamitae, and the latter Rubetae, by the Latines; by the Greeks, Phrynoi; which are as pernicious as the Palustrian Frogs: those they call Dryophites, which climb up Oaks, and live in or about them; and the Diopetes, which fall with storms and warm showers out of the air, are no better then the rest.

All of them are mute in winter, except the watery Frogs; which at the end of Winter, and beginning of the Spring, begin to croak, to wit, when Tadpoles are procreated in putrid waters, which some falsly call Frogs-sperm, or Frogs-egges. Arist.

Hence many have derided the Medicament of a certain Alchy∣mist, who prescribes the water of Frogs-sperm, to the Pimples and swellings of the face, eyes, and the whole body; whereas he might hunt, exenterate, dissect, exhaust, and search the seminals of all the Frogs in France, and never get so much sperm as would wet the bot∣tome of his Metal-pan.

Experience also shews, and learned Rondeletius hath averred, That Tadpoles come of Mud, and turn not into Frogs. All Frogs, be∣sides the watery ones, are pernicious and malign; as also, those of them also that are maculated with black spots, like Toads, of whose nature they participate: and those that use them for meat, are in∣fected with a plumbeous colour. Wherefore they should not be taken save for Physick, for they putrifie the body.

Yet some put Palustrian Frogs, others Rubetae, to the confection of Jo. de Vigo his salve: but I think amphibious Frogs are better.

For the Rubetae, which live among bryars, thorns, and dry soyls, being venenate and acrimonious, impart a certain quality to the Me∣dicament, whereby it vellicates the skin, and raises lumps; and the water are not so efficacious: therefore those that live partly in water, and partly on the land, must be elected as best.

CHAP. 29. Of Crab-fishes.

THere are innumerable varieties of shelled fishes; some where∣of have long bodies, as Locusts and Lobsters; others round, as all the troop of Sea-Crabs, and fresh-water Crabs: whereof there are fewer varieties.

As some of Sea-Crabs are greater, as those we call Maeae, and Paguri; and others lesser, which we call Pinnophylaces: so some of the fresh-water Crab-fishes are great, broad-footed, like the Sea-Crabs, but greater; others little ones, which we use in Meats and Medicaments, as by Avicenna's counsel, to refresh such as labour in the Hectick Feaver, and such as are bitten by mad Dogs; as also to ingrede some mundificative Unguents.

Rondeletius hath largely described the whole kinde of Crabs (Lib. 18. de Piscibus, & Lib. particulari de fluviatilibus) as also Matthiolus upon Dioscorides.

For it is enough for us to mention these, and to treat more co∣piously of such things as do but sometimes accede to Medicine.

CHAP. 30. Of Vipers.

VIpers flesh siccates, * 1.485 and digests potently, and califies mode∣rately: its faculty hastens it to the skin, propelling the excre∣ments and poyson of the body, if any, thither: whence we make it in∣to Theriacal Trochisks, as we have shewed in our Antidotary; and of them we make that famous Theriacal confection, so much com∣mended against venenated affections. Now those are call'd Theriacal Medicaments, which cure the poysonous bitings of venenate Ani∣mals, or heal such as have received harm by the biting, breathing, licking, or touching of venenate Animals.

They are also called Alexipharmacal Medicaments, which arceate peril by poyson: but others will have them onely so called which by introsumption at the mouth cure poysons.

Now Theriacal comes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, from wilde and vene∣nate Animals, rather then from some certain sort of Serpents; though a Viper, whose Male is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and Female 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, be sometimes by the Greeks called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: for it being the most noto∣rious of Serpents and wilde Beasts, it vendicates this name, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: and the Medicament which admits of its flesh, is nevertheless deno∣minated Theriacal, from its efficacy in curing the bites and poy∣sons of wilde beasts, and not because of that ingredient.

A Viper is ordinarily of a cubits length, and often longer; of a subflave colour, maculated with many round spots: the male is by

the Greeks called Echis; its head is angust and acute; its neck crasser, and body slenderer then the Female; its tail, like that of other Serpents, grows more gracile by degrees, and not on a sudden, as that of the Female: it hath sharper scales at the end of its tail; which when moved, it erects, just as an angry Cock doth his Plumes in fighting.

He hath two Canine teeth; the Female more, according to that of the Poet:

Huic gemini apparent dentes in carne, venenum Fundentes, verubus sed Foemina pluribus atrox.

He also hath a passage in his tail, neerer his belly then that of the Females: he goes also more stoutly.

The Female Vipers are of a yellowish colour, with an elated neck, reddish eyes, and lucent; of an inverecund and fierce aspect; their heads are broad, their tails short, macilent, squamous, and all a like gracile, not gradually so; their passages neerer their tails; their bellies more prominent, and their pace flower.

The Latines call it Vipera, because Vi parit, that is, it is forced to bring forth; or else because Vivum parit, that is, it brings forth li∣ving young, contrary to the mode of other Serpents, which first lay eggs: and the Viper indeed procreates eggs, like them of fishes; but every egge hath a young living Viper involved onely in a mem∣brane.

Yet it sometimes happens, that the last seeking egress before the first, and impatient of longer delay, erodes his Parents belly and sides, and so it is produced a Matricide: but that as seldom happens, as, when the Male thrusts his head into the Females mouth in copu∣lation, the Female, satiated with the sweetness of the pleasure, ob∣truncabes the Male: which I think is never.

When other Serpents in winter run into caverns, Vipers onely absoond themselves under stones, and depose their old age, like other Reptiles.

Vipers are preferred before all other Serpents, in the confection of this Theriack, because when compounded of others, its vertue is more tabifical. (Gal: Cap. 10. Lib. de Theriaca.)

The Heads and tails, which contain the most virulent poyson, must be abscinded: for the Viper hath the most pernicious head of all venenate beasts. Dioscorides holds it ridiculous, that any set certain measure of the Head and tail should be prescinded.

The internals, Spina Dorsi, and the belly, must likewise be ab∣jected.

There are both in Italy and France, very idoneous Vipers for this solemn confection, as in the Pictavian fields, whence many are brought to Paris; of whose flesh we make Pastils, and use their fat in Vigo his emplaster; whose extraction and preparation is easie: The fat must first be taken, with its skins, and washed in clear cold water, till it be sincere; then may the membranes be separated;

then must the fat be melted in a double vessel, and continually agita∣ted with a wooden stick; when it is melted, it must be percolated into cold water, which may be abjected, and the fat kept, and reposed in a convenient vessel: some wash it again, that it may depose all its poyson.

I can scarce assent to their opinion, who believe, that such live long as eat Vipers flesh; for it procreates very ill succe, and digests and siccates vehemently: so that they who eat it are grievously cruciated with thirst, and thence cognominated Dipsades. Galen saith, that some are of opinion, that such as are bitten by Vipers, can∣not be cured by drinking, but will burst ere they can quench their thirst.

Galen proves by many Histories, that Vipers conduce to the Le∣prous: There was (saith he) a Leper in Asia, who was foetid to look on, and graveolent; who at first was conversant, and did eat with his companions, till some of his company began to be inquinated, and he of such a horrid and detestable a form, as none could indure to look on him; then they bound him in a Cottage neer the river, and gave him daily aliment. The next Summer, about the rising of the Dog-star, when a servant brought fragrant wine to the reap∣ers, and set the pot by the river-side, when they came to drink, the Boy poured out the wine into a cup, and with the wine a dead Viper; the reapers being therewithal afrighted, quenched their thirst with water, and sent the wine to the Leper, pitying his condition, and judging it better for him to die therewith, then to live in that mise∣ry: but he, drinking thereof, was unexpectedly cured, his skin fall∣ing off like a shell from a locust.

And another event, not much unlike this, happened in Mysia, not far from our City: There was a rich man, but Leprous, who was in love with his maid that was beautiful; but she hating so descorm∣ed a man, clandestinely kept other lovers company: the diseased, in hopes of recovery, betook himself to some Fountains of hot water, wherewith the vicine parts abounded, which were squalid and full of Vipers; one whereof crept into his wine pot: the wench per∣ceiving that a Viper was there suffocated, was glad she had such an opportunity put into her hands; she then gives a cup of it to her Master, who drinking of it, was perfectly cured, as the prece∣dent.

Galen recenseates more stories, whereby he proves, that Vipers cure the Leprosie. We have shewed in our Antidotary, how it must be prepared, before it ingrede the confection of the The∣riack.

CHAP. 31. Of Scinks.

THe flesh of the Reins of this Beast, is a special Antidote against poyson, very efficacious to excite lust in men; for it causes stiffness of the Yard: whence it justly ingredes the confection of Diasatyrium.

It is a small four-footed Animal, tected with small, frequent, and subluteous scales, with a long head, little thicker then its neck, a high belly, a round tayl like a Lizard, but shorter, and crooked to∣wards the end, with a grey line from its head, to the end of its tayl.

Dioscorides saith, It is the product either of Aegypt, or India, or of the Red-sea, though it is seen in Lydia of Mauritania: Some do erroneously take it for the Salamander. Pliny calls it the Land-Cro∣codile, for it very much resembles the Crocodile of Nilus.

But there is no proportion in their dimensions; for this is al∣wayes small, scarce exceeding a cubit in length: whereas the Cro∣codile of Nilus attains two and twenty cubits, and yet no term of his concretion, though his original is from an Egge no bigger then a Gooses Egge: He lives both upon the land and water; his eyes are like Swines eyes: his sight in the water is dull; but out, very quick.

This Animal alone, except the Parrer, moves his upper jaw; he hath a small rongue adhering to his under-jaw; his legs come out of his side; his feet are small, in reference to his body; his claws strong; his skin squamous, crustaceous, and impenetrable, save un∣der his belly, which is soft. This Animal lives sixty years, layes sixty Egges in sixty dayes, sits upon its Egges sixty dayes, before young ones be excluded; it hath sixty joynts in its backbone; and as many teeth in its head, as it will lye dayes in winter in some Ca∣vern without meat. The more curious Scrutator may have a fuller description of the Crocodile, in Aristotle, Pliny, and later Writers, who have lustrated Aegypt, and the Oriental Coasts.

CHAP. 32. Of Scorpions.

THey make an Oyl of dead Scorpions, infused in Oyl, which they cognominate from the same, for many uses in Medicine: for, by way of liniment, it breaks and expels the stones in the Re••••s and Bladder, and moves Urine: it cures the bitings of Vipers, Serpents, and other venenate Beasts: if it be adhibited to the arm∣holes and groins in time of Pestilence, it will either preserve the user from it, or cure him of it: it will also cure a wound inflicted

by a Scorpion; and so will its own body, bruised and applied.

A Scorpion is a terrestrial Animal, with a long and nodous tayl, whose end is armed with a long and oblique sting, perviated with a small hole, through which it effunds its poyson into the part prick∣ed: it hath arms and fore-cleyes bisulcated; its tayl is alwayes ready for a stroke; it never lets slip an opportunity: it strikes obliquely.

The Masculine Scorpion is maculated on the belly, and fore∣cleys; and its poyson is more pernicious, the Females more milde; though some write contrary.

There are eight kindes of Scorpions: the first is white, which they say is not lethiferous; the second yellowish, whose stroke is se∣conded with vehement ardour, and an inextinguishable thirst; the third is blackish, whose stroke depraves the members of motion, and makes men mad, causing foolish laughter; the fourth is somewhat green, it hath seven knots in his tayl; perpetual and great cold, though in the heat of Summer, follows upon its stroke; the fifth is pale and livid, and infects the percussed with tumours in his groins; the sixth is like a little Sea Crab-fish; the seventh hath greater Cleys, and is very like the Crab we call Pagurus; the eighth is of a Honey-colour, it hath wings like a Locust, and the last knot of its tayl is black.

Winged Scorpions are very rare with us, but frequent and great in India and Aphrica, with seven knots in their tayls.

If we reckon the variety of Scorpions, by the variety of their colours, some are called flave Scorpions, some yellow, some ci∣neritious, some green, some ferrugineous, some vinous, some white, and others fuliginous.

The smitings of Scorpions are farre more perillous to women, then men; and especially to Virgins: for they are alwayes lethal to such, unless they be presently helped: and such Scorpions as have seven knots in their tayls, are judged most cruel.

They procreate and sit upon Vernicles like Egges, * 1.486 and they pro∣duce a progeny, which coming to perfection, drives them away; and thus Scorpions are said to be killed by their young ones. But these things respect not Pharmacy, and therefore not for my pur∣pose.

CHAP. 33. Of Worms.

MAny small Animals are generated of Worms, and Worms of many great Animals: yea, this progeny springs from all altered and putrid matter, stones, bones, wood, fruit, cheese, flesh; and all things seem at first to turn into worms: for mans own flesh is absumed by worms, and his clothes by moths: And though cold things much resist putretude, yet worms are generated in the coldest

snow; and some are procreated of salt: they are also generated in Animals daily, their body abounding with putrid humours; for there worms are generated, where putretude resides: for, Corrupti∣on is their Mother. I saw a worm of a palms length, come out with the blood of the vein of ones arm opened: They are still ge∣nerated in the intestines, and other parts of mans body, and also in Harts heads.

Every Insect generates a worm, except the Butterfly, which is procreated of another dissimilar Insect: as the Poet;

Et fio volucris, qui modo vermis eram.

The family of Worms being thus ample, I shall onely speak of Earth-worms, which are used in Medicine: for these washed in white-wine, prepared, macerated in Oyl, and duly elixated in a double vessel, afford us an Oyl, very conducible in nervous affe∣ctions.

They are also assumed at the mouth, after due preparation, to wit, when they are washed, dryed, levigated, and mixed with other Powders, to cure Virgins pale colours.

Many call them the Earths Intestines; others, Earth-worms; others, Earth-lumbricks: they have a long round body, with nei∣ther bone, eye, nor ear: They go so, that the precedent part draws the consequent in their locomotion.

They are procreated of the mud of the earth, and animated by the same cause that other Insects are. They are destitute of eyes, ears, feet, members, and are like oblong fibres, whose parts are not discriminated, save by some knots and denervations a little beyond their middles.

Spring or Winter-showers, if not glacial, elicite them: they are neither liberally, nor copiously generated in the earth, much trod∣den upon, but frequently in fat and waste ground: * 1.487 These bruised and applied, conglutinate prescinded Nerves, and fresh wounds.

CHAP. 34. Of Spanish-Flies, or Beetles.

THese Flyes have onely a nominal affinity with Beetles, for they are often used in Medicine, Beetles never. Galen hath experi∣enced them good against scabs and Leprosies; and Physicians finde ••hem to provoke Urine.

Aristotle calls them Putrid Animals, because they are produced ••f putrid matter: They are procreated, nourished, and found in ••any shrubs, as the Bramble; and in many tall trees, as the Ash: shose that are found in Corn, are versicolorate, and have trans∣••erse lines in their wings, with an oblong body, and are very good.

But they will be more fit for use, if they be injected into an ear∣then vessel, whose orifice is covered with a rare linen cloth, and turned downwards, that by the halite of sharp vinegar, they may be exanimated, then dryed, reposed in wooden boxes, glass or earthen vessels, and kept for the space of two years.

They are mixed but in small quantity, to Medicaments that pro∣voke Urine, by Galens advise, who would have them injected whole; but the later Writers would have their legs and wings abscinded and abjected. When a Noble Matron of Paris was holden with a con∣tinual Feaver, accompanied with the heat of the Reins, and other grievous symptomes, and had committed the care of her cure to Mr. Martin, a learned and perite Parisian Medick; by the perswasion of some, she call'd one Rivierius, a courtly Medick, who feeling her pulse, said, If she had called him a little sooner, he would have applyed a dragm of French flies to the region most affected, and have present∣ly restored her to sanity: so he left the Matron grieved, and her ordi∣nary Medick astonished at his humour, manners, words, and actions; who was so far from adhibiting such a company of these flies, that he applyed not one, and yet restored her to health: for this flie be∣ing most dry and light, it is credible, one weighing not above a grain; what were it less then carnifice to adhibite sixty of them, which weigh but a dragm, to the aesture of the Reins? But take this obiter, not because I am incensed against the man, but that I might shew, that these flies are very noxious to the Bladder, Reins, and other parts, by inducing inflammations; yet very good mixed with other Me∣dicaments in a small quantity.

CHAP. 35. Of Ants.

PHarmacopolies are not destitute of Ants, which afford an oyle commended to many received uses: for it califies the generative parts, being too frigid, and reduces them to a better state.

Ants are the most laborious and officious of insects, which exer∣cise their labours not onely on the day, but on the night also, in full Moon; alwayes treading the same pathes, bringing cibaries to their Cells, and reconding them for the insuing year. They hunt not after smaller animalls, like Cobs, but degust them when dead; congest grains, and bear their burthens in their mouthes.

Ants are either winged, whose infusion yeilds the said oyle; or wingless, which are frequently found in dry and incultivated pla∣ces: sick Bears seek sanity from them,

There is, in some regions in India where Gold is effoded, a kinde of Ants, equalizing Foxes in magnitude: I finde also some equi∣tant ones, and others that fly the light; but the Apothecary never uses such.

CHAP. 36. Of the Silk-worm.

THat glory is now given to Silk, which was given to fine linen, wherewith the Ancient Kings were invested: and as we read in Luke 10. A certain rich man arrayed. This flax was a kinde of te∣nuious line, next in dignity to Asbestinum, whereof most subtile vest∣ments were made, with which women were most delighted; which, according to Pliny, grew neer Elis in Achaia; according to Pollux, in India, and Aegypt; and Pausanias, in Greece, on a tree not unlike our Poplar, with willowish leaves: but whether its plant be a tree or an herb, it is altogether unknown to us. It bears not onely leaves, but line also, which the People of Seres, Scytia, and Asiatica, perite in spining, draw out into small threads, and make it into vestments for rich men; and that which the Serians work, is called Silk. Asbestus is either a certain stone of a ferreous colour, in the Mountains of Ar∣cadia, which being once accended, can never be extinguished; or else flax, whereof Napkins are made, that will take flame, and not burn away; like plumbeous Lead.

But we have no such by ssigerous plant, nor vestments made of their Down; but onely Bombycina, which, as Byssina of old, is now called Silk; which is as good for dignity in the same uses, and besides accommodated to Medicinal exhibitions: for Apothecaries, fol∣lowing the Arabians dictate, have an opinion of Silk, * 1.488 that it will purge blood, roborate the vital faculties, recreate the heart, il∣lustrate the spirits, refresh all faculties, and help all the spirits. These are the eximious Encomia, wherewith the Barbarians nobilitate the excrement of their virulent Insect. But seeing any one may Philosophize, and propose his opinion in the matter in hand, I pro∣fess, I think Silk is of small use in Medicine: for it is the dry, inodorate, exuicous recrement of an imperfect Animal, affine to Cob-webs, but inept and ineffectual in mans cure.

It may be, that that Byssinum, which the latter writers call fine flax, is indued with eximious faculties; but no such being now fonnd, nor brought to us, our Pharmacopolists cannot speak of it, unless they speak in their dreams. And I wonder, upon what reason they give crude Silk to the sick: when it is tincted with Scarlet, it is indeed vertuous, but it borrows that faculty from its infection; and therefore I had rather prescribe the dying grains alone, then fru∣straneously spend their succe in dying Silk. But let perite Medicks, who have onely reason for their Law, be Judges in the case.

These Silk-worms are little Animals, excluded from small, round, and blackish seeds, called by some egges, cherished with a mode∣rate calour; animated, and at first formed into Minute-worms, which educated on the leaves and boughs of the Mulberry-tree, after

a while spin their slender webs, or Silken threads, whereof precious cloth is abundantly woven.

When they are more adult, they make of themselves hoods and domicils for themselves; and there in a short time, they transmute themselves into white Butterflies, which produce seeds, or small eggs, whereof other worms of the same kinde are generated. But these being known to Women and Children, need no further descri∣ption.

Some Medicks use the Galls of many Animals; the Liver and in∣testines of Wolves, the brains of Sparrows, the testicles of Cocks, and Asells which are found under water-vessels: but these not in∣greding the compositions in our Shop, belong not to us. Thus I have in three Books, by Gods auxiliation, briefly and clearly com∣posed all Medicinal matter: to whom be Honour, Glory and Praise now and Ever.

Finis Libri Tertii.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 1.
• * 1.2

  Aqua & ignis vita principia.
• * 1.3

  Eunium & Ae∣schylum non scripsisse carnii∣na, nisi vino fuerint madidi.
• * 1.4

  Vinum sanis robur.
• * 1.5

  Vini differentiae
• * 1.6

  Qui primus a∣quam vino mis∣cu••rit.
• * 1.7

  What Om∣phacy is.
• * 1.8

  Acetum cali∣dum & frigi∣dum.
• * 1.9

  Omphacium qu••bus profit.
• * 1.10

  Ironi••.
• * 1.11

  Planta saccha∣rifera.
• * 1.12

  Sac••arum can∣dum quom••do fiat.
• * 1.13

  Powder-sugar.
• * 1.14

  Vires.
• * 1.15

  Historia notan∣da.
• * 1.16

  Mel quid.
• * 1.17

  Vnde fiat.
• * 1.18

  Mel optimum.
• * 1.19

  Historia.
• * 1.20

  Manna m••si∣china.
• * 1.21

  Vires.
• * 1.22

  Borrago semper virens.
• * 1.23

  Malva unde dicta.
• * 1.24

  Malvarum differentiae.
• * 1.25

  Arborescens.
• * 1.26

  Alcea.
• * 1.27

  Transmarina.
• * 1.28

  Vires.
• * 1.29

  Beta. Atriplex.
• * 1.30

  Capill. Vener.
• * 1.31

  Herbae capilla∣res unde habe∣ant nomen.
• * 1.32

  Vires.
• * 1.33

  De Adianto vulgari.
• * 1.34

  Polytrich••••.
• * 1.35

  Ceterach.
• * 1.36

  Vires.
• * 1.37

  Salvia vita.
• * 1.38

  Vires.
• * 1.39

  Hemionitis.
• * 1.40

  Vires.
• * 1.41

  Dodder epi∣thymus.
• * 1.42

  Smallage.
• * 1.43

  Its virtues.
• * 1.44

  Petroseline.
• * 1.45

  Vires.
• * 1.46

  Asparagus.
• * 1.47

  Vires.
• * 1.48

  Fennel.
• * 1.49

  Vires.
• * 1.50

  Ruscus.
• * 1.51

  Vires.
• * 1.52

  Quatuor frig. major.
• * 1.53

  Cucurbitarum differentiae.
• * 1.54

  Cucumeres.
• * 1.55

  Melones.
• * 1.56

  Citrulli.
• * 1.57

  Quatuor frig. minor.
• * 1.58

  Vires.
• * 1.59

  Vires.
• * 1.60

  † Gum Suc∣cory.
• * 1.61

  Hawk-weed.
• * 1.62

  Intybum. Seris. Scariola. Endivia. Intybolacha∣num.
• * 1.63

  Taraxacum. Dens Leonis.
• * 1.64

  Hieracia.
• * 1.65

  The various names of Suc∣cory.
• * 1.66

  Anisum.
• * 1.67

  De Cumino.
• * 1.68

  Vires.
• * 1.69

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Car••
• * 1.70

  Vires.
• * 1.71

  Vires.
• * 1.72

  Vires.
• * 1.73

  Vires.
• * 1.74

  Saffron.
• * 1.75

  Vires.
• * 1.76

  Hipolapa∣thum.
• * 1.77

  Cassia odora∣ta.
• * 1.78

  Lignea.
• * 1.79

  Fistula.
• * 1.80

  Cassia vires.
• * 1.81

  Tamarinds.
• * 1.82

  Vires.
• * 1.83

  Species.
• * 1.84

  Senna.
• * 1.85

  Vires.
• * 1.86

  Lenitivum.
• * 1.87

  Differentia in∣ter Brioniam & Mechoacam.
• * 1.88

  Vires.
• * 1.89

  Ebulus.
• * 1.90

  Sambucus.
• * 1.91

  Esula.
• * 1.92

  Vires.
• * 1.93

  Hermodactylus
• * 1.94

  Quick-fa∣ding flower.
• * 1.95

  The difference between Her∣modactyls and Ephemerum.
• * 1.96

  Vires.
• * 1.97

  Vires.
• * 1.98

  Vires.
• * 1.99

  The correcti∣on of Scam∣mony.
• * 1.100

  Cur Diacrydi∣um cictum.
• * 1.101

  Species nigri.
• * 1.102

  Elleborus niger verus.
• * 1.103

  Vires.
• * 1.104

  Vires.
• * 1.105

  Cucumber asi∣nius.
• * 1.106

  Widow-wail. Spurge-olive. Dwarf-bay.
• * 1.107

  Vires.
• * 1.108

  Vires.
• * 1.109

  Vires.
• * 1.110

  Palma Christi.
• * 1.111

  Sea Bind weed
• * 1.112

  Ginger.
• * 1.113

  From whence the best Gin∣ger comes.
• * 1.114

  Arnabo, quid.
• * 1.115

  How it differs from Ginger.
• * 1.116

  Vires.
• * 1.117

  Set wall.
• * 1.118

  Vires.
• * 1.119

  Major.
• * 1.120

  Orris.
• * 1.121

  Minor.
• * 1.122

  The errour of many.
• * 1.123

  Calamus A∣romaticus.
• * 1.124

  Myrepsicu••.
• * 1.125

  Vires.
• * 1.126

  Species.
• * 1.127

  Amarus & dulcis.
• * 1.128

  Costus vulgaris
• * 1.129

  The errour of some Apothe∣caries.
• * 1.130

  Sue••idanium.
• * 1.131

  The opinion of Avicen.
• * 1.132

  Serapio's opi∣nion.
• * 1.133

  Vires.
• * 1.134

  Succidanium.
• * 1.135

  Suecidanium.
• * 1.136

  Species.
• * 1.137

  Cassia Lignea. Cinnam. ver.
• * 1.138

  Vires.
• * 1.139

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.140

  Species.
• * 1.141

  Vires.
• * 1.142

  Long Pepper.
• * 1.143

  Macro-piperis vires.
• * 1.144

  Vir••••
• * 1.145

  Cardamonum. Cordumeni.
• * 1.146

  Cardamomes.
• * 1.147

  Species.
• * 1.148

  C••••ola•• Hayl.
• * 1.149

  Vires.
• * 1.150

  The uncer∣tainty of the Antiquity.
• * 1.151

  The various opinion of the Physicians a∣bout Cubebs.
• * 1.152

  Carpesium.
• * 1.153

  Vires.
• * 1.154

  Opobalsamum
• * 1.155

  Opobalsamum.
• * 1.156

  The best Balsame.
• * 1.157

  Bal. de Poru.
• * 1.158

  De Tolu.
• * 1.159

  Kermes seu Karmas, quid.
• * 1.160

  Holly.
• * 1.161

  Succus Kermes
• * 1.162

  S••••achul.
• * 1.163

  Coccum Baph.
• * 1.164

  Vires.
• * 1.165

  Vires.
• * 1.166

  Vires.
• * 1.167

  Succidanium.
• * 1.168

  Species.
• * 1.169

  Species Nard, Celliae.
• * 1.170

  Lavendula major. Pseud••nard us. Aspica.
• * 1.171

  Vires.
• * 1.172

  Lignum Aloe.
• * 1.173

  The variety of it.
• * 1.174

  Vires.
• * 1.175

  Which is best.
• * 1.176

  Vires.
• * 1.177

  Palus sanctu••, Palma sancta.
• * 1.178

  Vires.
• * 1.179

  Vires.
• * 1.180

  Vires.
• * 1.181

  Vires.
• * 1.182

  Species.
• * 1.183

  Vires.
• * 1.184

  Herba salas.
• * 1.185

  Vires.
• * 1.186

  Species.
• * 1.187

  To help those that are slung with Nettles.
• * 1.188

  Succidanium.
• * 1.189

  Vires.
• * 1.190

  Vires.
• * 1.191

  Species.
• * 1.192

  Vires.
• * 1.193

  Species.
• * 1.194

  Vires.
• * 1.195

  Seseli Mas∣siliense.
• * 1.196

  Aethiopi∣cum jrutex.
• * 1.197

  Aethiop. Herba.
• * 1.198

  Peloponeuse.
• * 1.199

  Vires.
• * 1.200

  Vires.
• * 1.201

  The deno∣mination.
• * 1.202

  Vires.
• * 1.203

  Species.
• * 1.204

  Vires.
• * 1.205

  Vires.
• * 1.206

  Resta Bovis.
• * 1.207

  Remora Aratri. Acutella.
• * 1.208

  Species.
• * 1.209

  Vires.
• * 1.210

  Species graminis quot.
• * 1.211

  Vires.
• * 1.212

  Spanish-Juice.
• * 1.213

  Vires.
• * 1.214

  Vires.
• * 1.215

  Vires.
• * 1.216

  How to know the Best.
• * 1.217

  Species.
• * 1.218

  Vires.
• * 1.219

  Rephani Species.
• * 1.220

  Rapiumun∣de dicitur Bunias.
• * 1.221

  ATownin France.
• * 1.222

  Rapistrum.
• * 1.223

  Species
• * 1.224

  Species.
• * 1.225

  Vires.
• * 1.226

  Species.
• * 1.227

  A Story.
• * 1.228

  Vires.
• * 1.229

  Vires.
• * 1.230

  Prima menthae species.
• * 1.231

  Vires.
• * 1.232

  Species
• * 1.233

  Vires.
• * 1.234

  Vires.
• * 1.235

  Species.
• * 1.236

  Vires.
• * 1.237

  Vires.
• * 1.238

  Vires.
• * 1.239

  Species.
• * 1.240

  Vires.
• * 1.241

  Vires.
• * 1.242

  Spanish Spurge.
• * 1.243

  † Money∣wort.
• * 1.244

  Snap∣draggon.
• * 1.245

  † Anagali∣dis.
• * 1.246

  Vires.
• * 1.247

  Vires.
• * 1.248

  Species.
• * 1.249

  Vires.
• * 1.250

  Vires.
• * 1.251

  Antidotus Mithrid, quibus Con∣stiterit.
• * 1.252

  Vires.
• * 1.253

  Vires.
• * 1.254

  Vires.
• * 1.255

  Vires.
• * 1.256

  Vires.
• * 1.257

  Species.
• * 1.258

  Vires.
• * 1.259

  Vires.
• * 1.260

  Species.
• * 1.261

  Vires.
• * 1.262

  Vires.
• * 1.263

  Species
• * 1.264

  Vires.
• * 1.265

  Vires.
• * 1.266

  Vires.
• * 1.267

  Vires.
• * 1.268

  Vires.
• * 1.269

  Vires.
• * 1.270

  Vires.
• * 1.271

  Vires.
• * 1.272

  Vires.
• * 1.273

  Vires.
• * 1.274

  † But now we have it plenti∣fully growing in England.
• * 1.275

  Vires.
• * 1.276

  Species.
• * 1.277

  Vires.
• * 1.278

  Vires.
• * 1.279

  Vires.
• * 1.280

  Vires.
• * 1.281

  Vires.
• * 1.282

  Vires.
• * 1.283

  Vires.
• * 1.284

  Species.
• * 1.285

  Vires.
• * 1.286

  Species.
• * 1.287

  Vires.
• * 1.288

  Vires.
• * 1.289

  Vires.
• * 1.290

  Vires.
• * 1.291

  Vires.
• * 1.292

  Mala insa∣na melon∣gena.
• * 1.293

  Species.
• * 1.294

  Morella
• * 1.295

  Pomiferum
• * 1.296

  Solanum vesicarium
• * 1.297

  Vires.
• * 1.298

  Luteum.
• * 1.299

  Erraticum.
• * 1.300

  Spumeum.
• * 1.301

  Cornicula∣tum.
• * 1.302

  Opii quali∣tates.
• * 1.303

  House-leek.
• * 1.304

  Vires.
• * 1.305

  Species.
• * 1.306

  Vires.
• * 1.307

  Vires.
• * 1.308

  Species.
• * 1.309

  Vires.
• * 1.310

  Species.
• * 1.311

  Liver-wort
• * 1.312

  Hempe-like Agrimony.
• * 1.313

  Paralysis.
• * 1.314

  Vires.
• * 1.315

  Vires.
• * 1.316

  Vires.
• * 1.317

  Vires.
• * 1.318

  Vires.
• * 1.319

  Vires.
• * 1.320

  Vires.
• * 1.321

  Vires.
• * 1.322

  Vires.
• * 1.323

  Vires.
• * 1.324

  Vires.
• * 1.325

  Vires.
• * 1.326

  Vires.
• * 1.327

  Vires.
• * 1.328

  Vires.
• * 1.329

  Vires.
• * 1.330

  Vires.
• * 1.331

  Vires.
• * 1.332

  Vires.
• * 1.333

  Vires.
• * 1.334

  Vires.
• * 1.335

  Vires.
• * 1.336

  Vires.
• * 1.337

  Vires.
• * 1.338

  Vires.
• * 1.339

  Vires.
• * 1.340

  Vires.
• * 1.341

  Cornus faemin:
• * 1.342

  Vires.
• * 1.343

  Vires.
• * 1.344

  Vires.
• * 1.345

  Vires.
• * 1.346

  Vires.
• * 1.347

  Vires.
• * 1.348

  Vires.
• * 1.349

  Vires.
• * 1.350

  Vires.
• * 1.351

  Vires.
• * 1.352

  Vires.
• * 1.353

  Vires.
• * 1.354

  Vires.
• * 1.355

  Vires.
• * 1.356

  Vires.
• * 1.357

  Vires.
• * 1.358

  Sanguis plantarum varius.
• * 1.359

  Quiasuccus
• * 1.360

  Liquor.
• * 1.361

  Resina. Gummi.
• * 1.362

  Gummi quid.
• * 1.363

  Nomina. Acacia Gummi. flua.
• * 1.364

  Species.
• * 1.365

  Vires.
• * 1.366

  Vires.
• * 1.367

  Vires.
• * 1.368

  Vires.
• * 1.369

  Vires.
• * 1.370

  Vires.
• * 1.371

  Asa quid.
• * 1.372

  Vires.
• * 1.373

  Vires.
• * 1.374

  Vires.
• * 1.375

  Vires.
• * 1.376

  Vires.
• * 1.377

  Quid.
• * 1.378

  Vires.
• * 1.379

  Vires.
• * 1.380

  Vires.
• * 1.381

  Vires.
• * 1.382

  Species.
• * 1.383

  Vires.
• * 1.384

  Vires.
• * 1.385

  Tacama∣haca.
• * 1.386

  Laranna.
• * 1.387

  Species.
• * 1.388

  Stacte, Quid?
• * 1.389

  Vires.
• * 1.390

  Vires.
• * 1.391

  Vires.
• * 1.392

  Meconium.
• * 1.393

  Its qualities.
• * 1.394

  Vires.
• * 1.395

  Vires.
• * 1.396

  Cistus masc.
• * 1.397

  Cistus foem.
• * 1.398

  Vires.
• * 1.399

  Vires.
• * 1.400

  The way to juyce of Li∣quorice.
• * 1.401

  Cerae lotio & dealbatio
• * 1.402

  Vires.
• * 1.403

  Vires.
• * 1.404

  Melitea.
• * 1.405

  Samia.
• * 1.406

  Chia.
• * 1.407

  Selinusia.
• * 1.408

  Cimolia.
• * 1.409

  Eretria.
• * 1.410

  Rubrica.
• * 1.411

  Ochra.
• * 1.412

  Factitia.
• * 1.413

  Vires.
• * 1.414

  Species.
• * 1.415

  Tinctura Rosarum.
• * 1.416

  Scissile plumeum.
• * 1.417

  Alumen rupeum.
• * 1.418

  Vires.
• * 1.419

  Vires.
• * 1.420

  Sodomeus Lacus.
• * 1.421

  Carbo petrae
• * 1.422

  Sperma Caeti, quid.
• * 1.423

  Oleum Sul∣phuris.
• * 1.424

  Vires.
• * 1.425

  Vires.
• * 1.426

  Vires.
• * 1.427

  Vires.
• * 1.428

  Vires.
• * 1.429

  Vires.
• * 1.430

  Vires.
• * 1.431

  Vires.
• * 1.432

  Vires.
• * 1.433

  Vires.
• * 1.434

  Vires.
• * 1.435

  Vires.
• * 1.436

  Turchesa.
• * 1.437

  Jaspis.
• * 1.438

  Haematites.
• * 1.439

  Achates.
• * 1.440

  Amethystus.
• * 1.441

  Opalus.
• * 1.442

  Panthera.
• * 1.443

  Selenites.
• * 1.444

  Girasola.
• * 1.445

  Dionysia.
• * 1.446

  Beryllus.
• * 1.447

  Nephriti∣cus lapis.
• * 1.448

  Aetites.
• * 1.449

  Lapis Ju∣daicus.
• * 1.450

  Chrysolapis.
• * 1.451

  Chrystal, quid.
• * 1.452

  Usus.
• * 1.453

  Vires.
• * 1.454

  Vires.
• * 1.455

  Vires.
• * 1.456

  Vires.
• * 1.457

  Usus.
• * 1.458

  Vires.
• * 1.459

  Vires.
• * 1.460

  Vires.
• * 1.461

  Vires.
• * 1.462

  Cerusa, quid.
• * 1.463

  Vires.
• * 1.464

  Vires.
• * 1.465

  Vires.
• * 1.466

  Vires.
• * 1.467

  Vires.
• * 1.468

  Vires.
• * 1.469

  Mumia an∣tiquorum non amplius haberi.
• * 1.470

  Vires.
• * 1.471

  Vires.
• * 1.472

  Vires.
• * 1.473

  Vires.
• * 1.474

  Ichthyo∣colla.
• * 1.475

  Mow it is made.
• * 1.476

  Isopus, quid
• * 1.477

  Vires.
• * 1.478

  The manner of making it.
• * 1.479

  Vires.
• * 1.480

  Vires.
• * 1.481

  Vires.
• * 1.482

  Vires.
• * 1.483

  Vires.
• * 1.484

  Vires.
• * 1.485

  Vires.
• * 1.486

  Vires.
• * 1.487

  Vires.
• * 1.488

  Vires.