The Names.

It is called by Dioscorides and the other Ancient Greeks, [...] because they say, the smell of the Leaves causeth the Head-ach, deriving it from [...] or [...], which in that Language signifieth an Head; and it hath sometimes the Epithite [...] adjoyned, because it was brought out of Persia into Greece by some of the Graecian Kings. It is called also by some of the Modern Greeks, [...], Jovis glans, and so the Latines from them Diu-glans, by con­tracting the word, and substracting the first Letter they called it Juglans. We English, call it the Wall-nut-Tree; and of some, Walsh-nut-Tree. The Nut is cal­led in Greek [...], in English, Wall-nut; In Latine, Juglans & Nux [...]

The Kinds.

Parkinson and others reckon up eight Kinds thereof: 1. Our ordinary Wall­nut. 2. The greatest Wall-nut. 3. The thin-shelled Wall-nut. 4. The [Page 2] long Wall-nut. 5. The Wall-nut which beareth twice in a year. 6. St. Johns Wall-nut, or the late-ripe Wall-nut, which shooteth not forth any leaves, till it be Midsummer. 7. The white Wall-nut of Virginia. 8. The black Wall-nut of Virginia. But because all these kinds differ little in their vertue, I will de­scribe here none but the ordinary Wall-nut.

The Forme.

The Wall-nut is a lust▪ Tree both for height and bulk, and spreadeth forth many large Arms and Boughs, and must make a goodly shadow, when the leaves are on, which consist of five or six fastned to one rib, with one standing on the top, like those of the Ash, but that they are much larger: the bark is somewhat green in the younger boughs; but in the Trunk, it is tending to the colour of Ashes, and is full of clefts for the most part; It beareth Catkins or Aglets, which come forth before the Nuts, of a yellowish colour, which open into small flowers, and falling away, the round Nuts come in their places, two or three u­sually set together; but sometimes half a dozen or more, which are covered with a double shell; the outermost, green, soft, thick, of a strong smell, the juice co­louring black; under which there is a wooddy shell, wherein a white sweet Kernel is contained, enclosed with a yellowish, bitter peeling, which commeth off easily while it is fresh, but will not do so when it is old: the inner pulp thereof is white, sweet, and pleasant to the tast, when it is newly gathered, for after it is dry it becommeth oily and rank. Of the whole fruit growing on the Tree, there is this common old Riddle, which almost every Child can say. Its

The Wood is much used by Joyners, to make Tables, Stools, &c. It is very durable if it be kept dry, but rots presently in the weather.

The Place and Time.

The place of its first Nativity was in Persia, whence either the whole Tree hath been brought into divers other parts, or else the Nuts, which being put into the ground, do produce the Tree; for there is no other way of propaga­ting it, unlesse it be of the Virginian kinds. It groweth commonly in England, and some other places, in Orchards, Gardens, and sometimes in the streets, and by the way sides, where the Boys lie continually pelting at them. There is a Fable in Aesop, of a Woman which asked the Wall-nut-Tree, growing by the way side, which was pelted at with stones and sticks, by them that passed by, Why it was so foolish as to bring forth fruit, seeing that it was so beaten for its pains, to which the Tree rehearsed these two Proverbiall Verses.

The English whereof I could tell you, but that I fear the Women of this pre­posterous Age would be angry. True it is, that this Tree, the more it is beaten; the more Nuts it bears; and therefore good Husbands, after they have beaten down the Nuts, do with long Poles, beat the empty boughs of the Tree; and I have observed, that those Trees which have grown in the streets, have been full, when those which have growen in the back sides have had scarce any, which I could impute to nothing else, but that those in the street were beaten and throwen at, more then the other: they blossom early before the leaves come forth, and the fruit is ripe in September, except St. Johns Wall-nut, which ripen­eth not till October.

The Temperature.

Dodonaeus is of Opinion, that the fresh Nuts are cold and moist, but Euchsius saith, they are drying in the first degree, and heating in the second: the bark of the Tree doth binde and dry very much, and the leaves are near of the same temperature; but when the Nuts are old, they are hot and dry in the [...]econd degree, and of thin parts, and of harder digestion then when they are fresh, which by reason of their sweetnesse, are more pleasant, and better digesting in the stomack.

The Signatures and Vertues.

Wall-nuts have the perfect Signature of the Head: The outer husk or green Covering, represent the Pericranium, or outward skin of the skull, whereon the hair groweth, and therefore salt made of those husks or barks, are exceeding good for wounds in the head. The inner wooddy shell hath the Signature of the Skull, and the little yellow skin, or Peel, that covereth the Kernell of the hard Meninga & Pia Mater, which are the thin scarfes that envelope the brain. The Kernel hath the very figure of the Brain, and therefore it is very profitable for the Brain, and resists poysons; For if the Kernel be brui [...]ed, and moystned with the quintessence of Wine, and laid upon the Crown of the Head, it com­forts the brain and head mightily. If the Peels be taken off, they are thought to be good for the stomack, and somewhat loosing the belly: and mixt with Su­gar, they do nourish temperately, whilest they are new; but when they begin to grow old, they grieve the Stomack, and cause in hot bodies choler to abound, and the Head-ach, and are an enemy to those which have a Cough; but they a [...]e lesse hurtfull to those which have colder stomacks, and are said to kill the broad Worms in the stomack or belly. They are reckoned in Sch [...]la Salerni, for one of those [...] things which are good against poyson

And true it is, that two dry Wall-nuts, and as many Figs, and twenty leaves of Rue, bruised and beaten together, with two or three Co [...]s of salt were King Mithridates Medicine against poyson, which afte [...] he had long used daily, at last he sought to poyson himself, but could not. And no marvel for the water of green Wall-nuts, taken about Midsummer, being drunk two or three ounces, cooleth and resisteth the Pestilence. And the water of the outer Husks of Wall-nuts being not rotten, distilled in September, is given to drink against the Plague, with a little Vinegar as a certain experiment▪ and the juyce of the same, boyled up with Honey, is an excellent g [...]gle for [...]re mouths, the heat and inflammations in the throat or stomack. Though the old Kernels are not so fit to be eaten, yet they are used to heal the wounds of the sinews, Gangrens, and Carbuncles, and being mixed with Figs and Rue, they cure old Ulcers of the Breasts, and other cold Imposthumes▪ with Rue and Oyl, they are good to be laid to the Quinsie. The leaves with Boars grease, stayeth the hair from falling, and maketh it fair: the like also will the green husks do, used in like manner. A peece of the green husk, put into an hollow Tooth, easeth the pains thereof. Some use the green husks, and sometimes the young red leaves, dryed and made into powder, instead of Pepper, to season their meat; but if some dryed Sage in Pouder be put into it, it will give a seasoning and re­lish, not to be despised of poor folks. The Oyl of Wall-nuts made in such manner, as Oyl of Almonds, maketh smooth the hands and face, and taketh a­way scales and scurf, black and blew marks, that come of blowes and bruises, and taken inwardly, it helpeth the Collick, and expelleth Wind very effectual­ly. [Page 4] Besides, it is far better for the Painters use, to illustrate a white colour than Linseed Oyl, which deadeth it; and is of singular good use, to be laid on gilded works. The young green Nuts before they be half ripe, preserved whole in Sugar, are not onely a dainty Junket among other of the like nature, but are good for those that have weak stomacks, and defluxions thereon. It is aver­red by some, that if a Wall-nut be put into the belly of a Chicken, it will cause it to be roasted a great deal the sooner. The Rind of the root, having the upper part scraped of, being made into powder, and tempered with Vinegar, if it be strained two or three times, till it be somewhat thin and clear, and drunk libe­rally, cureth the Ague, and cleanseth the body very much.

The Names.

THe Greeks call it. [...], the Latines also Peonia, and Dulci­sida, in Shops Pionia, in English Piony, or Peony, and of some Chesses [...] It hath also many Bastard names, as R [...]s [...] Fatuina, Herba C [...]sta, Hasta Regia, Rosa Asinarum, of some, Luxaria, or Luxaria Peonia, because it cureth those which have the Falling-sicknesse, whom most men do call Lunatici, or Luna­tick. It is called Paonia, from Paon, a famous Physician, who doubtless found out some of the Vertues, and admired them; but Glycysid [...] or Dulcisid [...] from the red grains in the Pomgranat, which in Greek are called Sida, with which it hath some resemblance. It is also called Dactylu [...] Ida [...], the [...] roots thereof being like to Dactyli Id [...]i, which are certain precious stones, of the form of a mans finger, growing in the Isle of Candy. It is likewise called Aglaophôtis, or brightly-shining, taking its name from the shining rednesse of the red grains or seeds, which are of the colour of Scarlet, of which there are many fabulous traditions; but I shall forbear to mention them.

The Kind [...].

The Sorts of Pionyes which I have met with, are in number 11. 1. The male Piony. 2. The Female Piony. 3. Double Red Piony. 4. The double white Py­ony. 5. The Spanish Dwarf Piony. 6. Columbine leafed Pyony. 7. The par­ty coloured Piony. 8. The female white Piony. 9. The female yellow Piony. 10. The doubtful female Piony. 11. Certain, single, and double female Pio­nies, that sprang with Clus [...], of the seed of the double Red, which is not [...] ­all. All these forts, except the female, are Plants so scarce, that they are pos­sessed but by a few, and those great Lovers of Rarities in this kinde, and there­fore I shall trouble you onely with the description of that.

The Forme:

The ordinary Female Piony riseth up with many stalks, which are at first of a reddish colour, and the young leaves like unto the young red leaves of the Wall­nut-Tree, which afterwards turn into a dark or dead green colour, and become large. At the top of the stalks, are growing fair large red flours, like the great double Rose of Provence; but that it is of a darker red, having also in the midst, yellow Threds or Thrums like them in the Rose, which some take to [Page 5] be the seed though falsly, which being faded and fallen away, there come in their places two, three, or four rough crooked Pods, bending a contrary way, as some Rams Horns do. The seeds are of a black shining colour. The Root consists of many thick and short tuberous bunches, fastened at the end of long strings, and all from the Head of the Root, which is thick and short.

The Place and Time.

Most of the sorts aforesaid grow in the Physick-Garden in Oxford, and in some Gardens about London and Westminster; but else they are scarce to be found, except the double female, as I said, which groweth in many Country Gardens, and do flower usually about May, and their Seed is ripe in July.

The Temperature.

The Root of Piony, as Galen saith, doth gently binde with a kinde of sweet­nesse, and hath also joyned with it a certain bitterish sharpnesse. It is in tem­perature, not very notably hot, but according to our own Symmetry or Con­stitution, or rather a little hotter, and it is dry, and of subtile parts.

The Signature and Vertues.

The Heads of the Flower of Piony, being not yet blown, have some Signa­ture and proportion with the Head of Man, having sutures and little vai [...] di [...] ­persed up and down like unto those which environ the brain. When the [...]ow­ers blow, they open an outward little skin, representing the skull, and a [...]very available against the Falling-sicknesse, which next to the Roots and seeds, are of the greatest Vertue: but the Roots are most effectuall; for it they be fresh taken up, and hung about the neck of Children they cure it; but the [...]ure [...]l way both for them, and especially those which are elder, it to take the roots of male Piony, if it be to be had, and i [...]fuse it in a sufficient proportion of back, for four and twenty hours at least, being first washed clean, and stamped very small; then strain it, and drink a good draught first and last, morning and evening, for severall dayes togethe [...] before and [...] of the full of the Moon; a [...]ue and orderly preparation of the Body afore-hand, with Posset-drink made of Be [...]ony, &c. being first had. The Extraction of the Roots, and the Syrup made of the Flow­ers, doth the same. The Root [...]ndureth ten years, it comforteth and cherish­eth the body, provoketh Urine, and purgeth the Liver and Kidneys. Being boyl­ed in Wine, and drunk, it purgeth the blood, and is good for Women in Child-bed, to purge their Seconds and Termes, as much as an Almond, being ta­ken at a time; it helpeth the gripings of the belly, the shedding of the Gall, and the pain of the Kidneys and Bladder, comming by stopp [...]ng of the Urine. The smoak of the little branches of the root, received in the nose, putteth away the Kings-Evill. The Root it self taketh away blac [...] spots of the body. It is to be gathered in the wane of the Moon, when she is under the Earth; and being [...]odden in wine and drunk, it purgeth the Belly, helpeth the Cholick, clean [...]eth the Guts, defendeth against fren [...]es and passions of the brain, the Strangury, and biting of Serpents; and the spleen; and having Castoreum boyled with it, it helpeth the Palfie and the stone, but there must be taken at once but four drams. The Powder of the Root drunk with White-wine, easeth the pains of the Reins and Bladder, and is good for the Ache of the belly, having Saffron mixed with it, it is a [...]ov [...]raign Med [...]ci [...]e for the yellow Jaundies. The Male Piony hath black shining seed, intermixed with many red or crim on grains, which together make a very pretty shew: Of which I observe, that the black provoke Terms, and the red stop them, [...] they be of that colour. The black ta­ken [Page 6] night and morning, by those which are troubled with the disease called the Night-mare, are very effectuall. The Powder of the seeds, ministred in meat and drink to Children, doth send forth the stone beginning in them, and is therefore good to be used of such as have it by Inheritance from their Parents, by a tenure called ex Vitioso Semine: or else have gotten it by purchase, ex In­temperantiâ: By which two wayes most part of diseases grow. And the said Powder drunk with Wine, restoreth the wits, comforteth the sences, and reco­vereth the speech. The distilled water, or Syrup, made of the flowers, work­eth the same effects that the Root and Seed do, though more weakly. Take the Roots of Piony, and peel off the outward skins: take also Periwinckle leaves, stamp and strain them with black Cherry-water, and let the Patient for three mornings fasting, drink a good draught thereof; but if he mend not at three times, let him drink it longer. This Receit was approved by the Lady Cage.

The Names.

THe general name, with which the Greeks have christened this Plant, is, [...]; which some of them say, commeth à [...], non ministra [...] ­do, quod vescen [...]s suis muni [...]s fungi non p [...]ssu [...], Others think it comes [...] non à [...], quia [...]jus usus nimiùm infrigidet & homini­bus tandem motum auferat, which in plain English i [...], Because it doth so stupifie those that eat it, that they cannot go about their bu [...]nesse, or because the use of it doth cool too much, and at length make men insensible. The Garden White kind, is called [...] (and of Diascorides [...] Thyl [...]iti [...], and the black seed is called [...]) hortens [...] or sativum: the wilde kinde is called P [...] Rheas, that is, fluidum, because the Flowers shead presently after they are blown; in Latine, Papaver, Rh [...] [...]ticum, rubr [...]m, or silvestre; Of us, in English, Poppy for the most part, yet in some Countries it is called Red­weed; in others Jone Silver Pin; Fair without, and foul within, being under­stood: in others, Cheesebouls. Spatling Poppy is called in Latine Papaver Sp [...] ­meum, in respect of that frothy spattle or froth that is called Cuckow-spittle, with which the stalk and leaves of this Plant aboundeth more then any o­ther.

The Kindes.

There be severall sorts of Poppies, some tame and of the Garden, as 1. The white Garden Poppy. 2. The black Garden Poppy. 3. The double white Poppy. 4. The double black Poppy. 5. The double purple Poppy. 6. The Scarlet double Poppy. 7. Small double Poppy. 8. Wilde double Poppy, Others, wilde and of the field, as 1. Yellow horned Poppy. 2. Red Poppy, or Corn-rose. 3. Little red Poppy or Corn-rose. 4. Wilde Poppy, with a white flowre. 5. Murry coloured Poppy, like the commonest single of the Garden. 6. Party coloured Poppy. Some spatling, as 1. Behe [...] Album, or white Battle. 2. Elegant spatling Poppy, with guilded leaves. Others ba­stard, called in Latine Argement. As 1. Round headed bastard wilde Poppy. 2. Long headed bastard wilde Poppy. 3. Yellow wilde bastard Poppy of Wale [...]. To trouble you with the Descriptions of every one of these, would be [Page 7] tedious. I shall therefore describe only the spatling Poppy, the others being better known.

The Forme.

Spatling Poppy (which doth very little resemble any other Poppy, but only the Seed, and Cod, or Bowle wherein the seed is contained) hath divers weak tender stalks, full of joynts, about a foot or half a yard long, usually lying on the ground, whereon grow many pale whitish green leaves, two alwayes let to­gether at the joynts, one against another; having many times upon the leaves, but more often about the joynts of the stalks, a certain white frothy substance, like unto that is called Cuckow-spittle, or Wood-seer: at the tops of the stalks upon many slender foot-stalks, stand divers white flowers, composed of five small leaves a peece, with a deep notch in the middle of every one of them, standing in a thin loose stripped husk, wherein the black seed is afterward con­tained: the root is white, and spreadeth in the ground, continuing sundry years.

The Place and Time.

Many of the Garden-Poppies are to be found in Country Gardens; but the yellow horned Poppie groweth upon the sands and banks of the Sea, neer un­to Rie in Kent; in the Isles of Sheppy and Thanet, and in many other places a­long the English Coast, with the other wilde Poppies every Corn-field is gar­nished, as also with spatling Poppy, which sometimes groweth in Pastures, and high-way-sides; the Elegant spatling Poppy, with guilded Leaves, groweth in Womersly field in Yorkshire. Argemone groweth in So [...]rsetshire, and near South-fleet in Kent. The white Corn-Rose groweth amongst the Wheat, be­tween Pontfract and Ferry-Bridge. They begin flowring in May, and continue till the end of July: the seed of them is ripe presently after. The Roots of all, except the spatling Poppy, perish every year, and spring again either of their own or others sowing.

The Signature and Vertues.

The Heads of the Poppies, with their Crowns do somewhat represent the Head and Brain, and therefore the decoctions of them are used with good suc­cesse in several diseases of the Head. The Garden Poppy Heads with the seeds, made into a Syrup, procureth rest and sleep in the sick and weak, and stayeth Catarrhs and de [...]luxions of hot thin Rheumes from the head, into the stomack, and upon the Lungs, causing a continual Cough, which is the fore-runner of a Consumption. The green Knops of Poppy stamped with Barley Meal, and a little Barrows-grease, and applyed in the form of a Pultis, helpeth St. Autho­ [...]ies fire, called Ignis Sacer. The Leaves, Knops, and Seeds stamped with Vi­negar, Womans milk, and Saffron, cureth Erysipelas (another kinde of St. An­thonies fire) and easeth the Gou [...] mightily; and, put into the Fundament as a Clyster, causeth sleep. The seed of black Poppy drunk in Wine, stoppeth the Flux of the be [...]ly, and the over-much flowing of Womens sicknesse. Mr. Cul­pepper saith, that it is the juyce of white Poppy growing in England, which they sell for Opium in the Shops, though they pretend to have it out of the Eas­tern Countries, where they gather it only from the heads of the great white Poppy; but certainly his Pen run before his Wit, when he said it grew beyond the Moon: for there is no question, but that it is so gathered in those parts, and should be that which is used in Narcotick Medicines, though perhaps, for want of it, our Meconium (which is the juyce of Poppy thickned, and is much [Page 8] weaker) is sometimes used. It is an ingredient of much respect in those great Compositions of Treacle and Mithridate, and in other Medicines that are made to procure rest and sleep; and to ease the pains of the head, as well as o­ther parts, or rather to palliate them, and make them insensible for the time present; It is used also both to cool Inflammations, Agues, o [...] Phrensies, and generally for the same occasions, as the seed or any part of the Plant is; but if it be taken in too great a quantity, it causeth the Lethargy, and sometimes kill­eth, and therefore it is to be used with caution inwardly: divers have found, that applyed to the Gout, it hath given much ease, and, put into hollow teeth ceaseth their pain. The Syrup of Meconium or Diacodium, which is made of the heads of white and black Poppies, a little after the heads are fallen off, may safey be given to those which are troubled with hot and sharp Rheums, but not to young Children which are froward; for if Nurses would keep their own bo­dies temperate, their Children would sleep well enough without it. The Sy­rup made of the Flowers of the red wilde Poppy, is with good effect given to those which have a Plurisie, & the dryed Flowers also, either boyled in water, or made into Powder, and drunk either in the distilled water of t [...]em, or in some other drink, worketh the like effect: the same also is available in all other Ce­phalicall or Pectorall griefs. The distilled water of the said Flowers, is held to be of much good use against surfeits, to drink it evening and morning: it is al­so more cooling in quality, then any other Poppy, and therefore cannot but be as effectual in hot Agues, Phrensies, and other Inflammations, either inward or outward, but the seed is dangerous to be used inwardly. The Syrup afore­said is thus made. Take of the fresh Flowers or red Poppies two pound, steep them in four pound of warm Spring-water, the next day strain it, and boil it into a Syrup, with its equall waight of Sugar. It cools the blood, helps Surfeits, and may be safely given in Phrensies, Feavers, and hot Agues. The Seed of Spatling Poppy purgeth Flegme, said Gal [...]n, and causeth vomitings, saith Dioscorides, being ta­ken in Mead, or honyed water, and is especially good for those that are troubled with the Falling-Sicknesse. It was the head of this Poppy; about the time it was in flower, which the Greeks called [...], because it doth foreshew, as they conceived, the success of their love: For these Flowers, the tops being closed together with ones fingers, seem like little Bladders, which being broken against ones other hand, make a noyse like unto the Bladders of little Fishes, being broken: If they gave a good report, they concluded, they should be suc­cesful; if not, they presently let fall their suit: so superstitious were those people, as some in our dayes be. The leaves of Argem [...]né, or Bastard wilde Poppy stamped, and the juyce dropped into the eyes, easeth the Inflammation thereof, and cureth the Disease in the Eye, called Argema, whereof it took his name by signature: which Disease, when it happeneth on the black of the Eye, appeareth white; and contrariwise, when it appeareth on the white of the Eye, it appeareth black. The Hearb being stamped, and made into a Salve or Oynt­ment, with Oyl-wax, and a little Turpentine, [...]ealeth any wound, Ulcer, Canker, or Fistula. The leaves only bruised and applyed to any part that is black and blew with a blow, bringeth it to its right colour. The juyce of the Leaves and Roots stamped, and given in drink, helpeth the wringings and gripings of the Belly; and so doth the dry Hearb infused in warm water. The juyce, taken in the weight of two drams with Wine, mightily expelleth Poyson, or any Ve­nome. Warts rubbed therewith, wear away, and being taken in meat; it helpeth the Milt or Spleen, if it be wasted:

The Names.

IT is called by the Greeks [...], and of some Latines also Scilla; but Varro calls it Squilla, whose example makes it to be so called in the Shops; di­vers call it Cepa maris, for the similitude it hath with an Onyon. In Eng­lish it is called Squill, and Sea-Onyon. There is a sort of this which the Greeks call [...], the Latines Pancratium, the English the white Sea-Daf­fodil, or Sea-Onyon, and of some Narcissus Constantinopolitanus, of others He­morocallis Valentina, and of the Turks, Consambach.

The Kindes.

Gerrard reckoneth up four sorts hereof. 1. Squill or Sea-Onyon. 2. Sea-O­nyon of Valentia. 3. Red flowred Sea-Daffodil. 4. Yellow flowred Sea-Daffo­dill. Every one of which in Latine he calls Pancratium.

The Forme.

The Root of Squill is very bulbous, and hath divers Coats, or scaly films, one within another, like the ordinary Onyon: out of which, as in Saffron, the stalk doth first spring forth; then out of that ariseth a white and yellow Flower, which being waxen old after many dayes, it putteth forth very great and broad leaves, upheld by no foot-stalk, many of them turning down again towards the Earth.

The Place and Time.

The first (for that is it which I have described, and is to be used upon the oc­casion ensuing) is found growing in Spain and Italy, not far from the Sea-side; but may be had at most Apothecaries Shops in England. The second groweth near unto Valentia in Spain, and therefore is so called, as also about Constanti­nople. The third about the Coasts of Narbone. The fourth about Tripoly and A­leppo. Gerrard saith, that they flower from May, to the end of July; and their Seed is ripe in the end of August; but Fuchsius saith, that they flowre thrice a year, and for this he quotes Theophrastus, lib. 7. cap. 12.

The Temperature.

The Sea-Onyon is hot in the second degree, and is of a very cutting quality which may be taken away, if it be baked in Past or Clay, or roasted in ho [...] Em­bers.

The Signature and Vertues.

The bulbous Root of the Squill, with its many Coats, or scaly films, doth re­semble the head, which consists of divers Membranes, one within another, and is very effectual in divers distempers thereof, but especially the Falling-Sickness, Head-ach, and dizinesse: It healeth also all running sores of the Head, and the scurf Scales or Bran, being laid thereunto. If it be taken with Honey and Oyl, it driveth out Worms, both long and round, cleanseth the breast, driveth away old Coughs, lengtheneth the breath, and looseneth the Belly very gently, and [Page 10] so do the seeds taken with Figgs or Honey. A Scale or two of the green raw Root, laid under the Tongue quencheth the thirst in the Dropsie: Being boyl­ed in Vineger till it be tender, and stamped, it cureth all venomous bitings, i [...] it be applyed to them. Seeth the inner part in Oyl or Turpentine, and apply it to the chaps of the feet, kibed heels, or hanging warts, and it healeth them. The leaves do dissolve and waste: the Kings-Evill and Kernels about the throat, be­ing laid thereunto, for the space of four dayes, half a dram of the Root roasted, baked, or sodden (for it may not be taken raw inwardly) is sufficient to be ta­ken at once with Honey, for the Jaundies; the old Cough, shortness of the Wind, and gnawing in the body. It is good for the griefs of the Sinews, Breast, Lungs, and Joynts, especially licked in with Honey, it maketh a clear voice. It helpeth the hardness, stopping and swelling of the Milt, and withstandeth Pu­trefaction in the Body; and therefore keepeth a man in health, and maketh his Body continue in young state, only it will make a Man lean. Sanius, by the use of the Vinegar of Squills, lived in perfect health till an hundred and seventeen years of age. If one take it in the morning fasting, and walk half an hour after, it maketh the digestion good, a long winde, a clear voice, an acute sight, a good colour, it suffers no offensive thing to remain in the Body: neither Wind, Flegm, Choler, Melancholy, Dung, nor Urine: It brings forth filth, though it lie in the bones; and takes away salt, and sowre belchings, though he be never so intem­perate, as Galen saith: It helpeth the Sciatica, and Apoplexy, breaketh and ex­pelleth the Stone, and cleanseth the Matrix; Being taken in the quantity of a spoonful, it doeth away the Hickets. It is reported, that wheresoever this Plant groweth, it keepeth its Neighbour-Plants from annoyance, and that whatsoever door, or chief entry of the House it be hung over, it keepeth the same from all mishap, Witch-craft and Sorcery. It hath been observed, that when the Flow­ers of the Sea-Onyon be of a brownish colour, and do not soon fade away, that year shall be very fruitful and plentiful of Corn. The way which the Apothe­caries do or should use in ordering it, is this. That is to be taken especially which is in the midst, which being cut in pieces, must be boyled; but the wa­ter still to be changed, till such time as it is neither bitter nor sharp: then must the pieces be hanged on a thred, so that no one piece touch another, and dryed in the shadow, and being thus ordered, they will last a good while.

The Forme.

The Larch-Tree is almost as tall as the Pine or Firr-Tree, but not quite, with a Body growing straight up, as they do: the Bark whereof is thick rugged, and [Page 11] and full of chaps, which being cut in sunder is red within, but the bark amongst the boughs is smooth, slippery, and somewhat white without: the branches grow one above another in a comely Order, having divers smal yellow knobs or bunches set at severall distances, from whence arise many small leaves growing in clusters thick together like tassells, which fall away at the approach of Win­ter, and gain fresh every spring; which is peculiar only to this Tree of all the Rosen bearing Trees. The blossoms are very beautiful and delectable, being of an excellent fine Crimson Colour, and very sweet, which afterwards turn in­to small soft Cones, like unto Cypresse Nuts while they are close, but longer then they; being made up of a multitude of thin Scales like leaves, under which ly small seeds having a thin filme growing on them very like to the wings of Bees or Wasps: the substance of the wood is very hard, of colour somewhat red, especially that which is in the middle, and very profitable for works of long continuance. Yet that report that the wood of the Larch Tree cann [...] be set on fire is false, it being preferred before all other wood, for all [...]thes work, and for Miners to melt the Ore of Mettal, because it holdeth fire longest and strongest, by reason of the Rosen that is in it. The Agarick which grow­eth on this Tree, is a kind of Mushrome or Excrescence, not such as is upon other Trees; but covered with a hard blackish bark which being cut and pared away that which is underneath is whiter, softer, more loose and pongy then any other of the Mushromes; that is the best which may easily be broken, and is light, and in the first taste sweet, hard and well compact; that which is heavy, blackish, containing in it little threds like sinews is counted pernicious and deadly. The liquid Rosen that proceedeth from this Tree, is very like in co­lour and substance to the whiter honey, as that of Athens or Spain, which not­withstanding issueth not forth of it self; but runneth out of the Stock of the Tree when it hath been bored to the very heart with a great and long Augur or Wimble. It is commonly called Venice Turpentine, though the true Tur­pentine issue from the tree Terebinthus. The figure of this Larch Tree, with the Agarick growing upon it, you may see lively represented either in Gerrard or Parkinson.

The Place and Time.

The Larch Tree groweth in many woods about Trent and Brixia in Italy, and neer the river Benacus, and Padus, and in Galatia a Province of Asia, as Dioscorides and Galen do record, and in Agaria a countrey of Sarmatia, from whence the Agarick took the name; in Silesia also, Moravia, Lusatia; As the Agarick is gathered in most of these places, so is the Turpentine, but especial­ly from the woods about Trent. Of all the Cone trees this only is found with out leaves in the Winter; in the Spring, grow fresh Leaves out of the same knobs from which the former did fall. The Cones are to be gathered before winter so soon as the leaves are gone; for, after the scales are loosed and open­ed, and the seeds drop away. The Rosen or Turpentine is to be gathered in the hottest part of the Summer, and the Agarick towards the latter end of the year, but in November and December especially.

The Temperature.

The leaves, bark, fruit, and kernel are of a dry and binding temperature. The Agarick is hot in the first degree, and dry in the second: It cutteth, ma­keth thin, cleanseth, taketh away obstructions and stoppings of the Entrails, and purgeth by stool; The Rosen of this Tree is moister then any other Rosen▪ and without either that sharpnesse or biting which some of the others have,

The Signature and Vertues.

Agarick, whose copped form holds out the Signature of the Head, being boyled in Lye with other Cephalical helps, comforteth the brain and memory very much; It is good for the giddinesse of the head if it be washed therewith, as also to stay the rheums and catarrhs thereof, and cleanseth it much from scurfe and Dandraffe, being taken with the syrup of Vinegar, it is good against the pains and swimmings of the head, or the falling sickness. It purgeth phlegme Choler and Melancholy from the Brain, Nerves, Muscles, Marrow of the Back; it cleanseth the Breast, Lungs, Liver, Stomach, Spleen, Reins, Womb, Joynts, it provokes Urine and the Terms, kills Worms, helps pains in the Joynts and causeth a good colour; It is very seldom or never taken alone, because it doth somewhat trouble the stomach, and therefore I shall set down a receipt or two, The first is the syrup of Roses solutire with Agarick. Take of Agarick cut thin an ounce, Ginger two drach [...]s, Sal Gem. one drach. Polypo­dium bruised 2. ounces, sprinkle them with white Wine, and steep them two daies over warm Ashes, in a pound and a half of the infusion of Damask Roses, and with two pound of Sugar boyl it into a Syrup; It cureth the yellow I am­dies proceeding of obstructions, and is a sure remedy for Agnes and cold sha­kings, which are caused of thick and cold humors: It purgeth phlegme from the Head, relieves the senses oppressed by it, it provokes the Terms in Women, it purgeth the stomach and Liver and provoketh Urine. All the aforesaid ver­tues are attributed to the Pills of Hier [...] with Agarick, which are made as fol­loweth. Take of Species Hiera Pic [...]a, Agarick of each half anounce, Aloes one ounce, Hony, Roses, so much as is sufficient to make into a Masse according to Art. Of this you may safely take a scruple at night going to bed, having eat a light supper three hours before; and you may safely go about your businesse the next day, for it will work very gently, and therefore you may continue ta­king it a week together, for it will not work much the first time, and conse­quently affect little. Some give it only with Oxymel, which is a syrup made with Vinegar and Honey, and so it cureth all sorts of Agues, either Tertians or Quotidians, easeth the griping pains of the stomach and belly, or such as have had falls or bruises, or are bursten bellyed, all which actions it chiefly per­formeth, by purging those gross and vitious humors that trouble the parts, and Members of the Body, and are causes of all these diseases. It is good against shortnesse of breath, the inveterate cough of the Lungs, the Ptisick, Consump­tion, and those that spit blood; Half a drach. or two scruples being taken in Wine, either by infusion, or the powder, is an Antidote against all Poysons, and cureth the bitings of Serpents very quickly; It is applyed also outwardly for the same purpose. The Rosen or Turpentine of this Tree, taken to the quan­tity of an ounce will gently open the belly, and more to the stool, provoke Urine, cleanse the Reins, Kidneys and Bladder and helpeth to break and avoid the g [...]avel and stone, and easeth those which have the stone: if it be first washed with Plantane or Rose Water, then made in Pills with the powder of white Amber, Red Coral, Mastick and a little Camphir, it doth wonderfully help to purge and cleanse the reins, and stop the running of them. Being ta­ken with honey it helpeth to expectorate rotten phlegme, from those which are troubled with a continual Cough, and is profitable also for the Ptisick or Consumption of the Lungs. This Turpentine as it is clearest for inward uses and serveth insteed of the true Turpentine, so well that they are commonly used out for another: so is it best also for outward salves, and doth both draw, cleanse, and heal all sores or ulcers, and green wounds; and therefore there is scarce a salve for that purpose wherein Turpentine is not. Oyl drawn Chymi­cally from Turpentine is singular good to be used in wounds, being more dry­ing [Page 13] and consolidating then the Turpentine it self, as also to warm and ease the paines of the Joynts and Sinews caused of Cold, and being mixed with a little Oxe Gall, it is good for the worms, and deafness of the ears. The water which is distilled with the Oyl, is used for freckles and spots in the face, and a scruple weight of it taken in white Wine purgeth phlegme by Vomit▪ Some use to mingle Bay Salt and Turpentine together, and therewith spread a leathern gir­dle, which being worn about the wast of them that have the Itch cureth them: So Parkinson: it being an Excrescence, is good for all manner of excrescences by Signature.

The names.

SOme of the Greeks call it [...]: others [...] because it joyeth most in cold places. Ruellius in his translation of Dioscorides calls it Cestron [...]sychótrophon; the Latines call it Betonica and Vetonica, from the Vetones a people of Spain, that first found out the vertues of it, as Pliny saith. We in England call it Wood Betony, and it hath been formerly called Betayne, or Betaine; Parkinson ad [...]erti [...]eth, that Vetonica and Betonica are diversly taken in divers Authors: for Vetonica, although it be set down in some Authors for Betonica, yet more properly and usually it is understood to be the Caryophylius, or Gilliflower, and then it is denominated Vetonica altilis.

The Kinds.

Of this Betony (for of the Water Betony I shall not treat in this place be­cause it is more appropriated to other parts) there are four or five sorts differ­ing one from another either in the leaf or flower. 1. Common Wood Beton [...] which hath a purple flower, 2. Wood Betony with white flowers, 3 Betonica minima, Alpina Helvetica, Small Mountain Betony, 4. Betonica Danica, Broad-leaved Betony, 5. Betonica Alopecuros montana dicta, Foxtail Betony That which I shall describe, is the Common Wood-Betony.

The Form [...]:

The ordinary or Common Betony, which because it is most frequent in Woods, is called Wood Betony, it hath many leaves rising from the root, the lowermost whereof are somewhat broad and round at the ends, slightly indent­ed about the edges, the footstalks being pretty long; but those that grow by two and two at the joynts upon the small slender foursquare and somewhat hairy stalks are a great deal lesser. The stalk is commonly near a foot high, whereon are set several spiked heads of flowers, of a reddish or purple colour spotted with white spots all over: the seeds are somewhat long, and uneven, and of a blackish colour. The root consists of many white threddy strings like unto those of Plantain, the stalk perisheth, but the roots with some leaves theron abide all the Winter, the whole plant is somewhat small, and therefore Gerard was mistaken, who sayes that it hath long and broad leaves.

The Place and Time.

The Common Betony loveth shadowie places, as Woods, hedg-rows, Cop­ses, the borders of pastures, Parks, &c. That with the white flower, is more usually found in stiffe clay grounds then in any other mould, as in the VVoods by Brumley in Kent, in a wood near a Village called Hampsteed, and in Broods­worth VVood in Yorkeshire. The third groweth on the Alpes of Helvetia, or Switzerland. The broad leaved or Danish Betony groweth in the Physick Garden at Oxford. The last, as Lugdunensis saith, groweth in the moist vallies that are shadowed with trees of the high hills; They flower and flowrish for the most part, in the moneths of June and July, and the seed ripeneth quickly after.

The Temperature and Vertues.

Betony, though it grow wilde, yet it is set in many Gardens, and is hot and dry almost, if not quite in the second degree. The vertues of it are innumerable, (as Antonius Musa, one of the Physicians of Augustus Caesar, who hath written a peculiar Book of this Herb, doth testifie) but especially it is good for the brain, so that as Fernelius writeth, Cerebrum vel odore solorecreat, hinc Comiti [...] ­libus furiosisque medetur, Paralysin, torpentiaque membra persanat. The hairy Roots of this Herb are some Signature, that it is good for the head: If it be stamped and applyed to the fore-head of them that are frantick, or possest with Devils, it cureth them: Boyl it with Vervein and Worm-wood in water, and wash the head therewith, and grind the same Herbs with some of the water, and Wheaten Bran, and apply it hot to the mould of the head thrice, and it will cause the Head-ach to depart. Seeth it with, Vervein, Hore-hound, and Hysop, in White-wine, and apply them as liot as may be suffered, and it cureth the Megrim, which is a pain that possesseth one side of the head. If the Head-ach proceed of cold Flegm, seeth Betony in Wine, with a third part of water, and apply it: For noyses in the head, pains, and giddiness thereof, drink powder, of the leaves dryed in the shade, or rather eat it with slices of bread, steeped in Wine first and last, to restore the brain, which is done likewise, by taking some of the powder of it in Pottage: and thus, or green, it helpeth those that loath their meat; for it procureth digestion, and allayeth the soure belchings and risings in the stomack, if it be used often. The Leaves, or Flowers, boyled in broth and drunk, or made into a Conserve, Water, Electuary, or Powder, as a­ny one shall like best, do help the Jaundies, Falling-sickness, the Palsie, Con [...]ul­sions, or shrinking of the Sinews, the Gout, and those which are inclined unto Dropsies, those that have continual pains in their head, though it turn to Phren­sie. The Powder mixed with pure Honey, is no lesse available for all sorts of Coughs or Colds, wheesing or shortness of breath, and those Distillations upon the Lungs, which cause Consumptions. A dram of it taken in the Syrup of Vinegar, doth wonderfully refresh those which are wearied by travel: it stay­eth bleeding at the mouth and nose, and helpeth those that pisse blood, or spit it. The Decoction of it being made with Mead, and a little Penny-Royal, is good for those that are troubled with Quartan Agues, and to draw down and evacuate the blood and humours, that by falling into the eyes, do hinder sight. Being boyled in Wine, and taken, it killeth the Worms, openeth obstructions of Spleen and Liver, cureth stitches and pains in the back or sides, the torments and griping pains of the Bowels, and the Wind-Cholick, mixed with Honey, it purgeth the Belly, helpeth to bring down Womens Courses, and is of special use for them that are troubled with the falling down of the Mother, and pains thereof, and causeth an easie and speedy delivery of Women in Child-birth: it helpeth also to break and expel the Stone, either in the Bladder or Kidneys▪ Cum multis aliis qua nunc perscribere longum est.

The Names.

SAge is called in Greek [...]. The pale, ash-coloured, dry and wi­thered deformity of the Leaves of Sage, especially on the dry and burnt Hills in the hot Countries, where it naturally groweth, was the Reason why it was so called, it signifying scorched, or consumed, by blasting; for [...] doth signifie interquere & contrahi, to be drawn together, or wound with it self; and [...] or rather [...] doth signifie that Disease in Plants which the Latines call Sideratia, a blasting, that is, when the Sun in the Dog­dayes, through its extream heat, or otherwise pierceth into it, and drying up the moysture that nourisheth it, seemeth to grow faint and dry, or, as it were scorched. The Latines call it Salvia, quia salvos homines & incolumes efficit, be­cause it maketh them safe and sound in health. And hence it commeth, that in Schola Salerni, it is demanded, Cur moriatur homo, cui Salvia crescit in borto? As who should say, such is the vertue of Sage, that if it were possible, it would make a man immortall: And Sage in English, from the property in comfort­ing, and strengthening the Head and memory, to make men sage or wise, of the French word Sauge.

The Kindes.

Of Sage, I finde no lesse then a dozen sor [...]. 1. Our ordinary Garden Sage, which is sub-divided into two sorts of party coloured Sage, the one white and green; the other whitish, red, and green, in most of the leaves. 2. Great white Sage. 3. Great Sage of Candy, with broad and narrow leaves, and bearing Ears and Apples, and that bea [...] [...]. 4. Small Sage, Sage of vertue, or Pig-Sage. 5. The sweetest small Spanish Sage, with Ears: 6. Small Candy Sage without Ears. 7. Small red flowred Sage. 8. Small Woolly Sage. 9. Round leaf. 10. The greater narrow white Sage, with yellow leaves. 11. French or yellow wilde Sage, with broad leaves. 12. Small yellow Sage of Candy. The three last sorts have been by some recorded to be Mullein; but they were mistaken, for as much as the Flowers of Mullein never gape as these do.

The Forme.

Our ordinary Sage beareth foursquare Woody stalks, in some whiter green, in others redder as the Leaves are also, standing by couples at the joynts being somewhat long and broad, rough and wrinckled, of a strong sweetish scent; At the tops of the stalks come forth the flowers set at certain Spaces one above another, which are long and gaping, like unto the flowers of Pary or Deadnet­tle, but of a blewish purple colour: after which come small round Seed in the husk that bore the flower; the root is woody with divers strings at it: it is more usually propagated by Slips then of the Seeds.

The Place and Time.

Many of the foresaid sorts grow in the Physick Gardens at Westminster and Oxford, but the third will not abide with us, nor ever bear those Apples, their naturall soyle being in the hot Countryes of Egypt, Candy, &c. They do for [Page 16] the most part flower in July, yet some of them flower not until August; All of them also do bear seed, except Pigge Sage, or Sage of Vertue, which seldom or never bears any.

The Temperature:

Sage is hot and dry in the third Degree, and is commonly used in Sawces, as to stuffe Veal, Pork, rosting Pigges, and that for good cause, for it dryeth up the superfluous moisture wherewith they abound, and stirreth up appetite, and is somewhat of a binding qualitie.

The Signature and Vertues.

The leaves of Sage which look as if they were scorched by blasting, do by Sig­nature give help to those parts of a mans body that seem to be as it were dead by some blasting, in restoring the natural heat and vigour to the part: in which quality it excelleth, giving a friendly and beneficial Comfort to the Vital Spi­rits. This herb hath many rare properties, but three especially which are contained in these following Verses.

Sage is of excellent good use, also to help the memory by warming and quickning the Sences, and the Conserve made of the flowers is used to the same purpose; The eating of Sage in the moneth of May with Butter, Parsly, and some salt is very commendable for the continuation of health to the Body; as also Sage-Ale made with it, Rosemary and other good Herbs, is good for [...]eeming women, such as are subject to miscarry through the [...]oo much moi­sture [...]r slipperinesse of their Wombs. Ga [...]gles likewise are made with Sage, Rosemary, Honysuckles, and Plantain boyled in water or wine, with some Hony or Allome put thereto to wash Cankers, sore Mouths and Throats, or the secret parts of Man or Woman, as need requireth. And with other hot and comfortable herbs to be boiled, to serve for the bathing of the Body or Legges in the summer time, especially to warm the cold Joynts or Sinewes of young and old, troubled with the Palsy or Cramp, and to comfort and strength­en the parts. The red Sage is much commended against the Stich or pains in the side coming of wind, if the grieved place be fomented warm with the de­coction thereof in wine, and the herb after the boyling be laid warme also there [...]o. At all times be sure you wash your Sage, for fear that the Toades, who as I conceive come to it to relieve themselves being overcharged with poyson, should leave some of their ve [...]om upon the Leaves, the danger where­of is upon record; and therefore it is good to plant Rue amongst your Sage, and then they will not come near it. Being steeped in drink close covered all night, it is good against infection, especially if Rue be added thereunto, as witnesseth Schola Salerni.

The names.

THe Greeks call it, [...] because it hath a smell somewhat like un­to Frankincense, which they call, [...] and usually the Epithite of [...] is added thereunto which signifies Coronaria in Latine, to distinguish it from the other, [...] which are umbelliferous plants & grow only in the Gardens of Herbarists as in Mr. Morgans Garden at Westminster, &c. The Latines Rosmarinus, and Rosmarinum (Quasi Rosa mari­na according to some) and so do the shops. The Garden Rosemary is called Rosmarinum Coronarium, the rather because Women have been accustomed to make Crowns and Garlands thereof. The flowers are called [...] and the composition made of them, Dianthos.

The Kinds.

There was formerly but one sort of Rosemary known, but now we have more diversity. As 1. Ordinary Rosemary. 2. Gilded Rosemary. 3. Broadleaf­ed Rosemary. 4. Double flowered Rosemary. 5. Wild sweet S [...]lesia Rosema­ry. 6. Unsavory Wild Rosemary. 7. Our wild Rosemary. 8. The Poets Rose­mary or Garde robe; so called, because the people of Granado Montpelier, and the Kingdom of Valentia, do use it in their Presses and Wardrobes, and call it Guar­d [...]lobo.

The Form.

Though ordinary Garden Rosemary, be so well known that I shall scarce need to describe it, yet it being a plant of so great use, I shall not so much sleight it, as to let it go without a description. It is a woody shrub growing of­tentimes to the height of three or four Cubits, especially when it is set by a wall, and hath stood there a long time; the Stemme is of a close firm sub­stance and whitish, branching forth into sundry arms, and from them again in to many slender brittle branches, at the Joynts whereof are set at several di­stances, many long and very narrow Leaves, green above and grayish under­neath, somewhat hard, and of a quick spicy taste with a pleasant sweet strong smell; and with them all along the stalks towards the tops divers small gaping flowers, of a pale bleak blewish Colour standing in whitish husks: the Seed is small and of a colour between black and red, but seldom doth any that is sowed in England endure the first Winter without extraordinary Care, and therefore is usually increased by setting the slips thereof.

The Place and Time.

The Ordinary Rosemary, as also that with the gilded Leaves are no Strang­ers here in England, for they are to be found in most Gardens, though their na­tural soil be in France, Spain, and other hot Countries. In that part of France which is called Provence, it groweth of it self without setting, and is used for a common fuel. There is so great plenty of it likewise in Spain, that the Odour of it, is many times smelt by those in the Ships that passe by, many leagues off from the Land. The third and fourth, is found only in the Gar­dens of Herbarists. The fifth and sixth in Silesia, Bohemia, and the parts [Page 18] thereabouts. The seventh groweth in Yorkshire, but especially in Lan [...]sh [...]re in a field called little Reede amongst the Hurtle berries, near unto a small Village, called Maudsley. The last groweth in great abundance, in Narbone [...]pain, and Italy. The first flowreth in April, and May, and sometime in August again, the others not untill August, except our wild Ro [...]emary w [...]ich flowereth in June and July.

The Temperature.

Rosemary is hot and dry in the second degree, and also of an astringent or binding quality, as being compounded of diverse parts, and taking more of the mixture of the earthly substance.

The Vertues.

It is given against all fluxes of blood▪ it is also good, especially the flowers thereof for all infirmities of the head and brain, proceeding of a moist cause; for they dry the brain, quicken the sences and memory, and strengthen the sinew part. It helpeth all cold diseases of the Head, Stomach, Liver, and Belly, with its warming and comforting heat. To cleanse and comfort the Stomach, and to make a sweet breath, use it in this manner; Take Rosemary with the flowers or without, a handfull or more, seeth it in white Wine a good space and put thereto if you please a little Cinamon, then drink it and wash your mouth therewith, the same without Cinamon maketh the skin very clear; and therefore is good to wash the hands and face with. It helpeth also cold Rheumes falling down into the Eyes, the giddinesse or swimming of the head, the dumb palsie or losse of speech, the Lethargy and falling Sicknesse if it be drunk, and the temples bathed therewith. It is a remedy for the windinesse in the Stomach or bowells, and expelleth it powerfully, as also the Hypochon­driack passion & wind in the Spleen: it helpeth all those that are Livergrown by opening the obstructions thereof, by warming the coldnesse, extenuating the grosseness, and afterwards binding and strengthening the weaknesse thereof. The Flowers and the Conserve made of them are singular good to comfort the heart, and to expell the Contagion of the Pestilence, and it is good to burn the branches of it, in infectious times. Both flowers and leaves are very profita­ble for Women that are troubled with the Whites, if they be daily taken. The dried Leaves being cut and taken in a Tobacco Pipe helpeth them that have any Cough, Tissick or Consumption by warming and drying the thin Distilla­tions, which cause those Diseases. The Chymicall Oyl drawn from the Leaves and flowers is a Soveraign help for all the diseases aforesaid, if the Temples and Nostrills be but touched with a drop or two, it helpeth the head and brain, and so it doth any cold benummed-Joynt, Sinew, or member, if it be anointed with two or three drops thereof: Great care is to be taken in applying it to inward griefs, for it is very quick and piercing, and therefore but a very lit­tle is to be taken at once.

The Names.

I Doubt very much, whether this Plant were at all known unto the Greci­ans, because I cannot finde it in Dioscorides, or any ancient or modern Greek Authour to be so much as mentioned, though I have sought diligent­ly for it. It is called in Latine Lavandula & Lavendula, and of some La­vanda, quia lavacris expetitur, because it is used in Baths, and in washing of the hands for the sweetnesse of the smell. The ordinary great Lavender is called by Matthiolus, Nardus-Italica, & Pseudonardus. Tragus calleth it Spica, & Nardus Germanica; but most Authours call the greater Lavendula, major & mas, as they do the lesser, minor & faemina. It is by some called Spikenard, because it giveth a favour, somewhat like to the true Spikenard; and by others, the female of this here is held to be Lavender, and Spike-the-male.

The Kindes.

There are two sorts of Lavender as I said before, that is, a greater and a lesser. Of the lesser there be three sorts, 1. Small Lavender or Spike, with purplish blew Flowers. 2. Small white Lavender or Spike, with a white Flower. 3. Jag­ged Lavender.

The Forme:

Ordinary Garden Lavender hath a hard wooddy stem, parted into many small branches, whereon are set whitish, long and narrow leaves, by couples one against another, from among which, rise up naked square stalks, with two leaves at a joynt; and at the tops, divers small husks standing round about them, formed in long round heads or spikes, with blewish gaping Flowers, springing out of each of them: the root is wooddy, and spreadeth in the ground: the whole Plant is of a strong sweet smell, but especially the heads of Flowers, which are much used to be put into linnen and apparel, as also into Nosegayes or Posies, because they are very pleasing and delightful to the brain, which is much refreshed with its sweetnesse, as on the contrary side it is very much offended with evill smells. I know not whether it would bear seed or not, it being so usually gathered by our Countrey women for the purposes a­foresaid, before it come to maturity; and therefore it must necessarily be pro­pagated by slips, as Rosemary and Sage usually is.

The Place and Time.

The first Sort is found in the Gardens of most Women, that pretend to good huswifery, who binde it up in bundles, and either carry it to the Market to sell, or else reserve it for their own use; but it, and the second, and third sort grow naturally in many places of Spain and Narbone in France, from whence they have been translated into the Gardens of those which are curious of all rare Herbs and Plants: as also the last, which was at the first found out by Clusius, both about Malaca in Spain, and Murcia, in the Realm of Granado, and is now to be seen in the Physick Garden at Oxon. In those hotter Countries they flower in F [...]bruary or March, but here in England they flower not till the beginning [Page 20] of July, or the end of June, at the soonest. It prospereth best in an open and sunny place, and if the earth be stony, it groweth the better.

The Temperature.

Lavander is hot and dry, and that in the third degree, and is of a thin sub­stance, consisting of many airy and spiritual parts. Therefore it is good to be given any way, against the Diseases of the Head, and especially those which have their original or beginning, not of abundance of humors, but chiefly of one quality onely.

The Vertues.

The distilled water of Lavander being sunned for a time, is not onely sweet of smell, and therefore comfortable to the brain; but also is good for the Pal­sie, and all other infirmities of the head, proceeding of cold; if the Temples, the hollowness under the ears, and the nape of the neck be washed therewith: as the Catalepsis, which is a Disease that taketh away all motion from the body, the Megrim, and the Falling-Sickness: yea, two or three spoonfuls of the water being drunk, recovereth the speech being lost, and reviveth them that are in a swoun, and so it doth, if it be but applyed to the Temples or Nostrils to be smelt unto; but it is not safe to use it, when the Body is full of humours, mix­ed with blood, because of the hot and subtill spirits, wherewith it is possessed. A Decoction made with the Flowers of Lavender, Horehound, Fennel, and As­paragus Roots, and a little Cinamon is very profitably used to help the Falling-Sickness, and the giddiness or turning of the brain. Wherefore not without cause; the Herb is reckoned of Schola Salerni, amongst those things that cure the Palsie:

That is to say, Sage, Castory, (that is, the stones of the Beast, called a Castor) Lavender, Primrose, Watercresse, and Tansie, cure and heal Members infected with the Palsie. So that though the Flowers be of most vertue, yet the Herb it self is good for the uses aforesaid: as also for Apoplexies, Lethargies, Cramps, Convulsions, and gripings of the body proceeding of Cold. It helpeth also the stopping of the Milt, heateth the belly, and sendeth down the Terms, and if the same be holden often in the mouth, it helpeth the Ulcers and pains of the teeth, and the same water is excellent good for blisters of the mouth, if the mouth be washed therewith. It being often smelled unto, doth comfort and clear the sight; and if a shirt be but wetted in the water, wherein Lavander hath been boyled, and after dryed, no louse will breed or abide therein, as long as it keepeth the smell. The lesser Lavander is much commended in all the Diseases of the Mother, as the strangling or suffocation, the dislocation or displacing, &c. for Women to be bathed therewith, as also to help forward their travel. The Chymical Oyl drawn from Lavander, usually called Oyl of Spike, is good for the Palsie, Falling-Sickness, Gouts of the Joynts, and of the feet, both taken at mouth, and also anointed; but it must be used cautiously; some few drops, being sufficient to be given with other things, either for inward or outward griefs.

The names.

MArjerome is called in Greek [...] and [...], in Latine Majorana, à majori curâ, ut aliqui volunt; Sampsuchum also, and Amaracus after the Greek: The cause of which name is by some Poets supposed to be this. Amaracus the Son of Cinara, King of Cyprus, having in his hand a Box of most fragrant Oyntment, by a mischance spilt it on the ground, the losse whereof he took so impatiently, that he did nothing but mourn for it: in con [...]ideration of whose Parentage, and excellent Perfection, the Gods in pitty did transform him into that Herb, which is called Amaracus, after his name, which still retaineth the smell of the Oyntment which he spilt. It is called in English sweet Marjerome, fine Marjerome, and Marjerome Gentle. The Pot Marjerome is also called Winter Marjerome.

The Kindes:

The sorts of Marjerome which I shall here reckon up are six. 1. The ordinary Garden, sweet Marjerome. 2. Marjerome Gentle. 3. Winter sweet Marjerome. 4. Winter or Pot-Marjerome. 5. Yellow Marjerome. 6. Wild or Field Marjerome. I shall, as most commonly I do, describe only the first.

The Forme.

The ordinary Garden Marjerome that is sowen here in England, is a small low Herb, scarcely mounting above a foot in height, full of branches, and small whitish, and soft roundish leaves on them, smelling very sweet: at the tops of the Branches stand divers small long and round scaly heads or knots (and there­fore of some called knotted Marjerome) of a whitish green colour, out of which come here and there small white Flowers, and after them small reddish seed: the Root is composed of divers small threds or strings, which perisheth with the whole Plant every year. The whole Plant, and every part thereof, is of a most pleasant taste, and aromatical smell, and by transplanting into beds well dressed with dry dung, it prospereth better, and becomes so strong, that it is commonly able to abide the coldness of the Winter, if it be not extraordi­nary.

The Place and Time.

The sweet Marjerome grows wilde on the Mountains in Spain, and other places, and the wilde Marjerome in the Borders of Corn-fields, and Pastures in sundry places of this Land, and particularly on both sides the Foot-way, which leadeth from St. Albans, to Mr. Cottons House, near unto the place where old Verulam stood: the rest are nursed up in Gardens, their natural places being in Creet and Italy, from whence we have the seeds for the Gardens of our cold Countries, which being sowen in moyst and shadowy places, well dunged and digged, groweth greater and taller; but if it be set in an open and sunny place, it growes shorter and crisped. It may be propagated also by slips. They are sowen in May, and bring forth their scaly or chaffy Husks or Ears in July and August. Gerrard saith, that although it be better for other Plants to be watered morn­ing [Page 22] and evening, yet it is best for Marjerome and Basil to be watered in the middle of the day, when the Sun shineth hottest.

The Temperature and Vertues.

Our common sweet Marjerome is hot and dry in the second Degree, and ought to be gathered in the Summer when it floureth, which is commonly in August, and after dryed in a shadowy place, and so it will serve for a year. It i [...] warm and comfortable in cold Diseases of the head, stomack, sinews, and other parts taken inwardly, or applyed outwardly. Matthiolus saith, that it digest­eth, attenuateth, openeth and strengtheneth. It comforteth the brain, openeth the stopping of the Members, taketh away the Apoplexy; and the Head washed in Lie made of it, doth cause the grievous pain of the Head to cease. The pow­der of it given in meat, or drunk in Wine, doth help the coldness of the sto­mack, and comforteth digestion. And the dry leaves made into powder, mixed with Honey, and anointed upon any part, doth take away black and blew spots of the skin. The Oyl made thereof is very warming, and comfortable to the joynts which are stiffe, and the Sinews which are hard, to mollifie, supple, and stretch them forth. It helpeth the cold griefs of the womb, and the windinesse thereof, it comforteth the brain and Nerves, and helpeth the weariness and dis­eases of them, if they come of cold: it helps the dead Palsie, the back, ( viz. the Region along the Back-bone) being anointed with it, being snuffed up in the nose, it helps Spasmus Cynicus, which is a wrying the mouth aside: It helps noyse in the Ears, being dropped in them: it provokes the Terms, and helpeth the bitings of venomous Beasts; it is a most gallant Oyl to strengthen the Body, the back being anointed, it strengthens the Muscles, they being chafed with it; it helps the Head-ach, the forehead being rubbed with it. Also this Herb hath the property of heating all the inward Members, it softneth the Milt, and asswa­geth the swelling thereof. The Decoction of it doth help those that are be­ginning to fall into a Dropsie: those that cannot make water, and the pains and torments in the belly. The Flower and Herb put in a fine bagg, and that apply­ed to the stomack, doth take away the pain and grief thereof. The powder of the Leaves snifted up into the nose, doth both cleanse and heat the Head, and stayeth Rheum, especially if it be mixed with a little Ginger. Lastly, it is used in all odoriferous Waters, Powders, &c. and is a chief Ingredient in most of those Powders that Barbers use, in whose Shops I have seen great store of this Herb hanged up.

The Names.

Primroses are usually called in Latine Primulae Veris, because they are the first that flourish in the Spring, or at least flower with the first; nay, sometimes [Page 23] they flourish all winter, if the weather be calm, both these and Cowslips are na­med Arthriticae & Herbae Paralysis, because they are good against the pains of the Joynts and Sinews. In English, Petty Mullens, or Palsie worts, but most commonly Cowslips. The greater sort called for the most part Ox-lips and Paigles, are named of divers, Herba S. Petri, in English, Oxlip and Paigle. The Auricula Ʋrsi is entituled by divers names, by sundry Authours, as Lunaria, Arthritica & Paralytica Alphina; by Gesner, Primula Veris Pachyphyllo's, by Lug­dunensis, Sanicula sive Auricula Ʋrsi: first by Matthiolus, and afterwards by Lo [...]el; and Sanicula Alpina, by Gesner and Bauchinus; but usually now a dayes, Auricula Ʋrsi, by all, and therefore we in English call them Auricula's Bears-Ears, from the similitude that the Leaves have with the Ears of a Bear, and sometimes French Cowslips, because they grow naturally upon the Alps, and are much like unto Cowslips in flower, and sometimes Mountain Cow­slips. Some of them are called Birds-eyes.

The Kinds.

And here I might muster up a whole Regiment of these three sorts, but I shall mention no more at this time, then those I find spoken of by Gerrard which are. 1. The white single or field Primrose. 2. The Purple Primrose, which by the Turks is called Carchicheck. 3. The white double Primrose. 4. The green Primrose. 5. Field Cowslips. 6. Field Oxelipps. 7. Double Paigles. 8. Cowslipps two in a hese. 9. White Birdeine. 10. Red Birdeine. 11. Yel­low Bears ear. 12. Purple Bears ear. 13. Red Bears ear. 14. Scarlet Bears ear 15. Blush coloured Bears ear. 16. Bright red Bears ear. 17. Stamel Bears ear. 18. Little white Bears ear. He that desires to be any better informed in these kinds of flowers, let him consult the Masculine, but especially the Feminine Work of Mr. Parkinson, who hath treated more largely of them. There have been many sorts also found out and brought from beyond the Seas of late daies: but being no very skilful Florist, I desire to be excused for not mentioning of them. I should proceed to the Descriptions of the Ordinary sort of each, but be­cause they are so well known I shall describe only the Bears ear.

The Forme.

Bears-Ear is a beautiful and brave plant, having green, thick and fat leaves somewhat finely snipt about the edges, not altogether unlike those of Cowslips, but smoother, greener, and nothing rough or crumpled; among which ariseth up a slender round stemme an handful high, bearing a tuft of flowers at the top, sometimes of a yellow, sometimes of a purple or red, and sometimes of a white colour, not much unlike to the flowers of Oxlipps, but more open, and consisting of one onely Leaf like Cotiledon or Pennywort, the root is very threddy, and like unto the Oxelip.

The Place and Time.

Primroses and Cowslips joy most in shadowy places, and therefore are most commonly found in Woods and borders of fields near to the bedge sides. The purple Primrose, the double Primrose, the green Primrose, the double Paigses and the Cowslips two in a hose are seldom seen but in Gardens. The Red and white Birdeine do grow very plentifully in the Northern parts of this land, as in Harwood near Blackburn in Lancashire, at Crosby, Ravenswaith, and Cragge Close in Westmoreland, and in some other places. The Originall of the Auricula­es came first from the mountaines of Germany, Hungary Italy, as the Alpes and Pyrences, &c. But the greatest variety hath risen from the Seed, many of them [Page 24] will flower twice in the year, viz. in Aprill and May, and then again in Au­gust, and September, if the Autumne prove temperate and moist.

The Temperature and Vertues.

All of them are in Temperature dry, little or nothing hot, but astringent, and are accounted as profitable for the paines of the head as any plant that is, except Betony. They are excellent good against any Joynt-aches, as the Pal [...]y and paines of the Sinews, as theit names do import. The decoction of the roots are good for the stone in the Kidneys and Bladder; the juyce of the leaves for members that are loose and out of joynt, or inward parts that are hurt, r [...]nt, or broken. A drachm and a half of the dryed roots of field Primrose gathered in the Autumne, purgeth by Vomit very forcibly (but safely) waterish humou [...]s, choler and flegme, in such manner as Asara bacca doth. A conserve made with the flowers of Cowslips and Sugar prevaileth wonderfully against the Palsy, Convulsions, Cramps and all diseases of the Sinews, if the quantity of a Nutrneg be taken every morning. An oyntment made of the leaves, and Hogs grease, healeth wounds; and taketh away Spots, Wrinkles, and Sunburning, and so doth the distilled water of the flowers; As divers Ladies, Gentlewomen and she Cittizens, whether wives or widdows know well enough. The roots of Primrose stamped and strained, and the juyce snifted into the Nose with a quill, or such like, purgeth the brain and qualifieth the pain of the Megrim. An Oyntment made with the Juice of Cowslips and oyl of Linseed, cureth all scal­dings and burnings with fire water or otherwise. The flowers of Primt [...] sodden in Vinegar, and applyed do heal the Kings Evil, healeth also the Al­monds of the Ears and Palate, if you Gargarize the party with the decoction thereof. The leaves and flowers of Primroses boyled in Wine and drunk are good against all diseases of the Breast and Lungs; and will draw any thorn splinter or bone out of the flesh. The Bears eares according to their name Sa­nicle are no lesse powerful for healing then the former, as also for the Palsy and Rupture called Enterocele, if for some reasonable space it be put in drinks, or boyled by it self. The roots also of Bears-ears are in great request amongst those that use to hunt after Goats and Robucks upon the Alpes and high moun­tains; and for the strengthening of the head then when they passe by fearful pre­cipices and steep places in following their game, that Giddinesse and swim­ming of the brain may not seise upon them.

The Names.

THe Latines have named it, Lilium Convallium; Gesner doth think it to be Callionymum. It is called in English, Lilly of the Vally, or the Convall Lilly, May Lillies, Wood Lillies, and in some places, Liri­confancy or Lilly- Confancy. Fuschius saith, that Ephemerum non Letha­le and Lilium Convallium, are the same.

The Kinds.

Of this Lilly I find but two sorts. 1. Lilly-Convally with white flowers. 2. Lilly-Convally with red flowers.

The Forme,

The Lilly of the Valley hath leaves, somewhat like unto other white Lillies, or rather like unto the leaves of the smallest water Plantain, among which doth a slender and small stalk spring up; in the top of which grow forth little small white flowers like little bells, with turned edges, and of a pleasant smell; which being past there come small red berries, much like the berries of Asparagus. wherein the seed is contained. The root is small and slender, creeping farre abroad in the ground.

The Place and Time.

It groweth plentifully upon Hamstead-heath four miles from London; near to Lee in Essex; and on Bushy heath thirteen miles from London; in Bagly wood which is two or three miles from Oxford, not far from the way to Abingdon, and many other places, in vallies, and on the sides of hills. For its great com­modity and beauty, it is brought and planted in Gardens where it prospereth best, if it be set in a moist ground and shadowy place. It floureth in May, and the fruit is ripe in September.

The Temperature and Vertues.

The Lillies of the Valley are hot and dry of Temperature, according to Ger­rard and Sennertus; yet Hill in his Art of Gardening saith, that they are cold and moist. I assent rather to the former opinion, though there may be some reason given for the later also. The flowers be more effectual then the Herb, and the root passeth the flowers in vertue. It cureth the Apoplexy by Signa­ture; for as that disease is caused by the dropping of humours into the principall Ventricles of the brain: so the flowers of this Lilly hanging on the plants as if they were drops, are of wonderful use herein, if they be distilled with Wine, and the quantity of a spoonfull thereof drunk, and so it restoreth speech to them that have the dumb Palsy; And is good against the Gout, comforteth the heart and Vitall Spirits, strengthens the brain, recrutes a weak memory, and makes it strong again. The distilled water dropped into the Eyes helps inflammati­ons, there is also that infirmity which is called the Pin and Web. The flowers steeped in New Wine and drunk doth help those which are pained with a trem­bling of the heart or other members, it stops the passages of the Leprosy begin­ning that the same spread no further abroad. Also it doth take away the scabbe and ring-Worm anointed thereupon; and the sooner, if you wash them sundry times with the water. The water also asswageth the swellings of the stingings of Bees and Wasps, if it be applyed to the part. Take the flowers and steep them in New Wine for the space of a moneth, which being finished take them out again and distill the wine five times over in a Limbeck. This wine is more precious then Gold: for if any one that is troubled with the Apoplexy drink thereof, with six grains of Pepper, and a little Lavander water they shall not need to fear it that moneth; It ceaseth the Cholick, it comforteth the brain, and helpeth the Impostume in the hinder part thereof. Six ounces of the water of the flowers, helpeth those that are poysoned or bit with a mad Dog, and being drunk fourty daies, it doth away the falling Scknesse. The same water drunk helpeth the Strangury, the pricking about the heart and inflammation of the Liver, and stayeth excessive Menstrues. Gerrard saith, That a Glasse being filled with the flowers of May Lillies, and set in an Ant-hill with the mouth close stopped for a months space, and then taken out, you shall find a Liquor in the Glasse, which being outwardly applyed helps the Gout very much.

The Names.

THe last thing that I shall treat of as appropriated to t [...]e diseases of the Brain, as the Falling Sicknesse, Apoplexy, [...]alsy, &c. is Misselto, which is called, by Dioscorides, and so is the Birdlime made there­of; but Theophrastus calls it, who saith also that in Eubaa it is called Stelis and in Arcadia, Hyphear. In Latine it is called Viscus and Viscum, and so is also the Birdlime made of the Berries. Ion the Poet call it S [...]dor Quercus, Because it groweth on Trees from their own superfluous moisture, and not as some falsely suppose from the dunging of those Blackbirds or rather Thrushes which have eaten the Berries hereof, so the seeds have been made fitter to grow. For it is since found by Experience, that there is no shew of seed in that dung they void upon the Trees, or elsewhere, it being wholly alte­red in their bellies before the voiding; And further the Misselto doth not a [...] ­waies grow upon the boughs, but sometimes from beneath them, where it is impossible that either any bird can dung, or any of the seed come thither, by any other means; And therefore he mistook that said, Turdus tibi cacat malum.

The Kinds.

The sorts of Misselto that I find upon record are three. 1. The ordinary Misselto with few and many berries. 2. The Misselto of India. 3. Misselto of Peru.

The Forme.

Misselto is an Excrescence arising from the branch or arm of the Tree where­on it groweth with a woody stemme, parting it self into sundry branches, and they spreading again into many other smaller twigs over thwart one another, do wrap and interlace one within an other; the bark of it is of a light or Popin­jay, green colour, but the leaves are of a brownish green colour, which being set by two and two at every Joynt or Knot, and at the end likewise, are some­what long and narrow, small at the bottom but broader towards the end. At the Knots and Joynts of the boughs of the branches grow small yellowish flowers which turn into small white round berries, which are so clear that a man may see through them, and are full of clammy or Viscous moisture, whereof the best Birdlime is made, farre exceeding that which is made of Hol­ly Bark: Within the berry is contained a small black kernell or seed, which hath been put into the ground, and other places, but was never yet known to grow, it being indeed without any root.

The Place and Time.

This Excrescence groweth upon Apple-Trees, Pear-Trees, Crab-Trees, and Hasles, very plentifully in divers places, especially in Essex; but that which groweth on the Oak, is very rare in England, That with many Berries groweth in Germany, &c. and the other two in the West-Indies. Theophrastus saith, that the Misselto loseth the leaves in Winter, if it grow on those Trees that shed their leaves, as Apple-Trees, &c. do; but in every green Tree, as Box, &c. it loseth them not: the Reason whereof, saith he, is the tenacious humidity in [Page 27] the one, which the other wanteth; but Experience sheweth, that it keep th the Leaves fresh and green in the Winter, when the Trees whereon they grow, have not any of their own left on them, in these parts of Europe generally. O [...] ­dinary Misselto flowreth in the Spring; but the Berries are not ripe until O [...] ­ber, and abide on the Branches all the Winter, unless the Thrushes and other Birds devour them. It is one of those things wherewith Countrey people a­dorn their houses at Christmas, and is celebrated in this old Caroll,

The Temperature.

Misselto is hot and dry in the third Degree, the Leaves and Berries do heat and dry, and are of subtle parts, for some acrimony is in them, which overcom­meth the bitterness, the Bird-lime doth mollifie hard knots, &c. which is not of that property, as to heat suddenly, but after some time as Thapsia doth.

The Signature and Vertues.

Crollius saith, that Misselto of the Oak, and the Bird-lime that is ma [...]e ther [...]of, is very effectual for the curing of the Falling-Sickness, and that it doth it by Signature: the viscosity and tenacious quality of the Bird-lime, repre [...]enting those melancholy and phlegmatick humours, consisting of tough and clammy slime, by which it is caused, or else as Bird-lime doth detain whatsoever it fa­stens to, so this Disease ceasing upon the Body, as the Remora doth upon a Ship, will suffer it to go no further, but maketh it to fall down. But some question may arise concerning the Application of the Bird-lime, whether it is to be ta­ken inwardly, or used outwardly, because Gerrard saith, if it be inwardly ta­ken, it is mortall, and bringeth most grievous accidents▪ as that it should make the tongue to be inflamed and swolne, the minde to be distracted, and the strength of the heart and wits to fail, quoting Nicander, as I suppose for his Authour. If there be any such malicious quality in it, it is when it is taken a­lone; for I not only conceive, that Crollius meant it should be taken inwardly, but I finde it prescribed by that famous and worthy Physitian, Mr. Bruel, to be taken in Pills after this manner, Rec [...]pe, Visci quercini, Seeds and Roots of Pio­ny ana 1. ounce. Nutmeg 1. ounce. of Aniseeds 1. oun. Sacchari buglossati 7. ounces. in every Pill 1. ounce. And therefore if it be corrected with other Ingredients, there is no such great danger as Gerrard repotteth.

The next Question will be, whether the Misselto of other Trees, be not as good as that of the Oak? Mr. Culpepper rails against the Colledge of Physici­ans, for saying that that which growes upon Oaks, hath most vertues. Clusius affirms, that which growes upon Pear-Trees to be as prevalent, and gives order that it shou [...]d not touch the Ground after it is gathered, and also saith, That be­ing hung about the neck it remedies Witch-craft. It is wonder the carping A­strologer had not had a sling at Clusius also for superstition, but I conceive he scaped, because he was of an Opinion different from the Colledge. Matthiolus saith, that that of the Che [...]nut-Tree is as good, (but most hold that of the Oak to be the best) which being made into Powder, and given in Drink unto those which have the Falling- [...]ickness, doth heal them, as the same Author speaketh upon his own experience. Some have so highly esteemed of the Vertues hereof, that they have called it Lignum St. Crucis, believing it to help the Falling-Sick­nesse, Apoplexy and Palsie, very speedily, not only to be inwardly taken, but hung about their necks; and some Women have worn it about their necks, or on their arms, thinking it will help them to conceive. Tragus saith, that the [Page 28] fresh Wood of any Misselto bruised, and the juyce drawn forth, and dropped into the Ears, that have Imposthumes in them, doth help and ease them within a few dayes. The Bird-lime mollifieth hard knots, tumors, and Imposthumes, ripeneth and discusseth them, and draweth forth thick as well as [...]in humours, [...]om the remote places of the Body, digesting them, and separating them, and being mixed with equall parts of Rosin and Wax, it mollifieth the hardness of the Spleen, and healeth old Ulcers and Sores, with Sandatack and Orpment, it draweth off foul nails, especially if quick Lime, and the Lees of Wine be added thereunto.

The Names.

HAving handled severall Plants that are approptiated to the Head, some by Signature, and some without, I shall now write of a few which cure the Diseases of the Hair, as Alopecia, Ophiasis, &c. begin­ning with the Quince-Tree, which is called in Greek [...] and in Latine Malus Cydonia & Cotonea. It beareth the Name of Malus Cydo­nia, à Cydone Cretae oppido, unde primum advecta, because it was brought first from. Cydon, a Town in Crete: and Cotonea, as some think from the down, which grow­eth upon the Fruit, which is called Cotton, as Fuchsius writeth, by which name Cato first called it, and Pliny after him. The Spaniards call it Membrill [...]o & Marmello, from whence come the word Marmalade.

The Kindes.

Columella setteth down three sorts of this fruit, 1. Struthia Great ones. 2. Chry­somela, Gold Colour. 3. Mustea, Early ones, but little; but in our dayes, there are four or five sorts of Trees, which are known by the names following. 1. Our ordinary Quince-Tree. 2. The Portugall Quince. 3. The Barbary Quince. 4. The Lyons Quince. 5. The Brunswick Quince.

The Forme.

The ordinary Quince-Tree groweth oftentimes to the height and bigness of a reasonable Apple-Tree; but more usually lower, and crooked, with a rough Bark, spreading Arms and Branches far abroad: the Leaves are somewhat round, and like those of the Apple-Tree; but thicker, harder, fuller of Veins, and white on the under side, not dented at all about the Edges: the Flowers are large and white, sometimes dasht over with a blush: the fruit that follow­eth is first green, and then yellow, when the white Freese, or Cotton, where­with it is covered, is rubbed off, which groweth lesse, as the fruit ripeneth, bunched out oftentimes in some places, some being liker an Apple, some like a Pear, of a strong heady sent, and not durable to keep, and is soure, harsh, and of an unpleasant taste to eat raw, but being scalded, roasted, baked, or preserved, becommeth very pleasant.

The Place and Time.

The Place of every one, save the first, is expressed already, which best likes to grow near Ponds, and Water sides, and is frequent through the Land, but bear­eth [Page 29] not, [...] the place where it groweth be somewhat moyst. It flowreth not till after the leaves put forth, and that is about the end of March, or the be­ginning of April: the fruit is commonly ripe about the beginning of October.

The Temperature.

Quinces have a cold and earthy faculty in them, and by reason of their [...] binding, they moysten the body lesse then other fruits; for they are cold in [...]e first, and dry in the second degree. When they are green, they help all sort [...] of Fluxes in Man or Woman, and whatsoever needeth astriction.

The Signature and Vertues.

The Down of Quinces doth in some sort resemble the hair of the Head, the Decoction whereof is very effectual for the restoring of Hair that is fallen off by the French Pox, and being made up with Wax, and laid on as a Plaster, it bringeth Hair to them that are bald, and keepeth it from falling, if it be ready to shed: It healeth Plague-sores, if it be boyled in Wine, and applyed to them. The Syrup of the Juyce of Quinces strengthens the heart and stomach, stayes loosness and vomiting, relieves languishing Nature: for loosness, take a spoon­full of it before meat, for vomiting after meat; for others purposes it is to be taken in the morning, and may be then taken for these also. It helpeth the Li­ver also, when it is so opprest, that it cannot perfect digestion, and correcteth Choler and Flegme. If you would have Quinces purging, put Honey to them instead of Sugar; and if more laxative, add for Choler Rubarb; for Flegme, Tu [...]bith; for watry humors, Scammony: but if more forcibly to binde, use the unripe Quinces with Ro [...]es and Acacia, or Hypocistis, and some torrefied Rubarb. The Juyce of raw Quinces is held as an Antidote against the force of deadly poyson, not suffering it to have any force in the body; for it hath been often found to be most certain true, that the very smell of a Quince hath taken away all the strength of the poyson of white Hellebore, which the Hunters of Spain and Navarre make to kill wilde Beasts, by dipping their Arrow-Heads therein. It is also certain, that if Quinces be brought into an house, where Grapes are hung up to be kept dry all the year, they will assuredly rot. If there be need of any outward binding, and cooling of any hot Fluxes, the Oyl of Quinces, or other Medicines that may be made thereof, are very available, to anoint the Belly, or other parts therewith: It likewise strengtheneth the Sto­mach and Belly, and the Sinews, which are loosed by sharp humours falling on them, and restraineth immoderate sweatings. The Mucilage taken from the Seeds and Quinces, boyled a little in water, is very good to cool the heat, and heal the sore breasts of Women: the same with a little Sugar, is good to lenifie the harshness, and hoarsness of the throat, and roughness of the Tongue. The Marmalade of Quinces is toothsom, as well as wholsom, and therefore I cannot blame such Gentlewomen, which are seldom without it in their Closets.

The Names.

Mosse in generall is called in Greek [...] and [...], and in the Attick Tongue, Sphagnum & Hypnum; and Pliny thereupon in one place calleth it in Latine Bryon & Sphagnum, and in another place, Sphagnos, sive Phacos sive Bryon; but it is in Latine usually called Muscus, and properly betokeneth any Herb that is composed of hairs or thred, instead of Leaves; the Arabians and Apothecaries call it Ʋsnea. The Greeks, which seldom gave any thing a name, without a Reason, called it [...], because it giveth ease to the Entrails.

The Kindes.

The Sorts of these are very numerous: Parkinson reckons up thirty, and treats of them in severall Chapters. It would be somewhat tedious, and to little pur­pose, to repeat them all; I shall therefore for brevity sake, set down those which I finde to be useful, and let the rest alone; and the first is, Our common ground-Mosse. 2. Cupp-Mosse. 3. Club-Mosse. 4. Oak-Mosse. 5. Apple-Tree Mosse. 6. Mosse of a Dead Mans Skull. Neither of these want a Description so much as the Club-Mosse, because it desires to be known in these times, wherein there is so much dead Wine, which it is said, in short time to recover, I shall therefore describe that.

The Forme.

Club-Mosse, or Wolfs-Claw Mosse, which is in Latine called Muscus clava­tus sive Lycopodium, groweth close upon the ground, among Bushes and Brakes, to the length of six or eight foot, consisting as it were, of many hairy Leaves, set upon a tough string, very close couched, and compact together: from which is also sent forth, certain other Branches like the first; in sundry places there be sent down divers fine little strings, which serve instead of Roots, where­with it is fastned to the upper parts of the Earth, and taketh hold likewise of such things as grow next it. There spring also from the Branches, bare or na­ked stalks, on which grow certain Ears as it were like the Catkines or blow­ings of the Hazel-Tree, in shape like a little Club, of a yellowish white colour, or rather resembling the Claw of a Wolf, whereof it took its name, which knobby Catkines are altogether barren, and bring forth neither Seed nor Flow­er, but come to nothing, as they do in all other Mosses.

The Places and Time.

The common Mosse groweth more or lesse every where, but especially in shadowy places, and is used in slating of houses, in some Countries. The Cup [Page 31] or Callice Mosse which Lobel calls Muscus Pixidatus, creepeth upon the ground like unto Liverwort, but of a yellowish white colour, from who [...]e Leaves start up things like unto little Cups, and groweth in the most barren, dry, and gra­velly Ditch Banks, particularly in a Ditch, neer a house formerly called Stockers house, in Stow-Wood, about three miles from Oxford, by the way side, as you go thence to Islip, and sometimes upon old Pales, as upon the School-house Pales at Adderbury in Oxford [...]hire. The Club-Mosse groweth upon Hamsteed Heath, among the Bushes and Brakes neer a little Cottage there. Oak-mosse is found in many Forrests and Woods in this Land; but the last which is the Mosse of a dead Mans Skull is oftner brought out of Ireland, then found with Us. They are most usually growing, and in their perfection in the Summer­time.

The Temperature.

The Mosses of the Earth are dry, and astringent of a binding quality, without any heat or cold. Those of the Trees cool, and binde, and do much partake of the nature of the Tree, from whence it is taken: as that of the Oak to be more binding then those of the Cedar, Larch-Ivy, &c. and Fir to be more di­gesting and m [...]l [...]ying.

The Signature and Vertues.

A Decoction of the long Mosse that hangs upon Trees, in a manner like hair, is very profitable to be used in the falling off of the hair, and this it doth by Signature. The common ground Mosse is held to be singular good to break the Stone, and to expell and drive it forth by Urine, being boyled in Wine, and drunk. The Herb bruised and boyled in water, and then applyed to any Inflammations, or pains, rising from a hot cause, doth allay and ease them; and therefore they do apply it to the hot Gout, to allay the pains thereof. The Cup Mosse is thought to be a singular Remedy against the Falling-Sickness, and the Chin-Cough in Children, if it be powdered, and then given in sweet Wine for certain dayes together. The Club-Mosse hung in a Vessel of Wine, that hath lost the vigour and vertue, that floateth, and is become slimy, restoreth it to its former goodness, if the quantity thereof be answerable to the bigness of the Vessel, whereupon Brunfelsius hath called it Wein Kraut, the Wine-Herb. The Mosse of Trees, especially of the Oak, is of good use and effect to stay Fluxes and Lasks in Man or Woman: as also vomiting and bleedings, spitting of blood, pissing of blood, the Tearms, and the Bloody Flux, if the powder there­of be boyled in Wine and drunk. The Decoction thereof in Wine is very good for Women to be bathed with, or to sit in, that are troubled with abundance of their Courses: the same also drunk, doth stay the troubled Stomack, per­plexed with casting, or the Hickok, and doth also comfort the heart, as Avicen saith; and as Serapio saith, procureth deep sleep: some have thought it availa­ble for the Dropsie, if the Powder thereof be taken in drink for some time toge­ther. The Oyl of Roses that hath fresh Mosse steeped therein for a time, and after boyled, and applyed to the Temples and forehead, doth marvellously ease the Head-ach, that commeth of a hot cause: as also the distillations of hot Rheum or Humours to the Eyes or other parts. The Ancients much used it in their Oyntments, &c. against weariness, and to strengthen and comfort the Sinews. My Lord Bacon saith, that there is a sweet Mosse growing upon Ap­ple-Trees, which is of excellent use for Perfumers, who if they knew it, would greedily catch after it. The Mosse that groweth upon dead Mens Skulls, hath not only been in former times much accounted of, because it is rare, and hard­ly gotten; but in our times, much more set by, to make the Unguentum Sym­patheticum, or Weapon-Salve, which cureth wounds without locall applicati­on: in the composition whereof, this is put as a principal Ingredient, but [Page 32] as Crollius hath it, it should be taken from the Skulls of those which have peri­shed by a violent death.

The Names.

Maidenhair is called in Greek, [...] in Latine Adiantum, Polytrichum, Callitrichum, Cincinnalis, Terrae Capillus, and Supercilium Terrae; of Apuleius Capillus Veneris, Capillaris, Crinita; and of divers, Coriandrum Putei; The Italians keep the name of Capillus Veneris, and [...]o do the Shops; In English, Black Maidenhair, and Venus hair; and by some, our La­dies hair. Some think it to be called Adiantum because [...] it is never wet; but falsly, for if it be dipped in Water it will be wet. Others think, that Rain which falls down in Drops upon the leaves of it, slide off immediately lea­ving no sign of moisture; But the most likely opinion is, that it is so called be­cause it loveth to grow on the sides of Wells above, where the water never comes, but where the water comes it never growes, and in this sense it may be said, [...]. It is called Callitrichon, and Polytrichon, of the effect it hath in dying hair, and making it to grow thick. Neither is it called Capillus Veneris for any other reason, but because she is painted with curious hair. Ruta Mu­raria, was first so called by Matthiolus, who afterwards took it to be Paronychia Dioscoridis. Cordus calleth it, Adiantum album; Dodonaeus, Ruta Muraria; and Lobel and Lugdunsis, Salvia vitae, and many call it Adiantum album, White Mai­denhair. Trichomanes is called in Greek [...] quod rarâ cute fluentem Ca­pillum explet for [...] is rarus and [...], Capillus. Gaza translated it Filicula and some have it Fidicula. The Apothecaries beyond the sea, did use to call it Polytricum and Capillaris; We usually call it in Latine Trichomanes, and in English Common Maidenhair, and English Maidenhair, because it is more plentifull in our Land then the rest, and is of more use, and of as good effect for all purposes as the former. The last sort is Polytrichum Apul [...] by some cal­led, Polytrichum aureum, by others Adiantum aureum, Adiantum [...] and Muscus Capillaris, in English, Golden Maidenhair.

The Kinds.

All the sorts of Maidenhair that I meet with, are eight. 1. The True Mai­denhair. 2. Common Black Maidenhair. 3. Forrain or Assyrian Maidenhair. 4. Wall Rue. 5. The Male English Maidenhair. 6. Female English Maiden­hair. 7. Great golden Maidenhair. 8. The lesser Golden Maidenhair. Most of these sorts are strangers in England unlesse it be Wall Rue, and that which is called English Maidenhair, whose form only I shall set down,

The Form.

Common English Maidenhair doth from a number of hard b [...]ack Fibres send forth a great many blackish shining brittle stalks hardly a span long in many not half so long, set on each side very thick, with small round dark green leaves one against another and spotted on the back of them like Ceterach and other small Ferns.

The Place and Time.

Some have reported the first to be found in Gl [...]stershire, but I doubt it. Wall Rue is found at Dartford, and the bridge at Ashford in Kent, at Beaconsfeild in Buckinghamshire, at Wolley in Huntingtonshire, on Framingham Castle in Suffolk, on the Church wall at Mayfeild in Sussex, and in divers other p [...]aces. Eng [...]i [...]h Maidenhair groweth much upon old stone Walles in the western parts, Wales and Kent, but particularly upon New Colledge Wall in Oxford, on the Garden Wall which was formerly Mr. Bustards next to Adderbury Church yard, and upon a wall near to Goreham berry in Hartfordshire. It joyeth likewi [...]e to grow by Springs and Wells, and other rocky moist and Shadowy places; They are green in Winter as well as Summer, but never flower that I know of.

The Temperature.

The true Maidenhair, as Galen testifieth doth dry, make thin, wast away, and is in a mean between heat and coldnesse. Mesue sheweth that it consisteth of unlike or disagreeing parts▪ and that some are waterie and earthy, and the same binding, and another superficially hot and thin. And that by this it taketh away obstructions or stoppings maketh things thin that are thick, loo [...]eneth the belly, especially when it is fresh and green: for as this part is thin, so is it quickly resolved and that by reason of its binding and earthy parts. Wall Ru [...] and the rest are not much unlike to this in temperature and faculty.

The Signature and Vertues.

All these being Capillary herbs do cure all the diseases of the hair by Signa­ture; and therefore the Lee made of any of them is singular good to clean [...]e the head from scurf, and either dry or running [...]ores, stayeth the falling or shedding of the hair, either of the Head or Beard, and maketh it to grow again in such places where it is fallen and pilled off, and causeth it to become thick fair, and well coloured: for which purpose some boyl it in Wine, putting some Smal­lage [...]eed thereto, and afterwards some Oyl. They are of singular good use against the Diseases of the Breast, the Liver, and Reins especially, yet much conducing to others; The decoction of the herb drunk, helpeth those that are troubled with the cough, shortnesse of breath, the Yellow Jaundies, the di­seases of the Spleen, stopping of Urine, helpeth exceedingly to break the Stone, provoketh Womens Courses, and stayeth both bleedings and fluxes of the Sto­mach and belly if it be dry; But if it be green as I said before▪ it loo [...]eneth and causeth Choler and Phlegme to be voided both from the Stomach and Liver; and by freeing the Stomach by spitting it out, wonderfully cleanseth the Lungs, and by rectifying the Liver and Blood causeth a good colour to the w [...]ole bo­dy; and expelleth those disea [...]es that breed by the Obstruction of the Li [...]er or Spleen. They are also said to resist and cure the bitings of venemous Creatures, to consume and wast away the Kings-Evil and other hard wellings, and to be excellent good against ruptures in young Children, if the powder thereof be ta­ken constantly for fourty daies together. The Leaves of Wall Rue mixed [Page 34] with a little Salt Peter, and the Urine of a young C [...]ild, taketh away the shri­velled wrincklings that appear on Womens Bellies after their deliverance, if it be washed therewith. So much for those Plants that cure the Diseases of the Hair, to which I might add Thapsia, Aloes, Millefolium aquaticum, or water- Millfole, &c. which because they are forraigners, and more appropriate to other parts, I forbear in this place.