Chapter XV: Front Matter (15)

The knobbed Cranes hath three or foure large leaues spread vpon the ground, of a grayish or rather dusty greene colour, euery one of them being as it were of a round forme, but diuided or cut into six or seuen long parts or diuisions, euen vnto the middle, which maketh it seeme to be so many leaues, each of the cuts or diuisions being deeply notched or indented on both sides; among which riseth vp a stalke a foote high or better, bearing thereon diuers pale but bright purple flowers, made of fiue leaues a peece, after which come small heads with long pointed beakes, resembling the long bill of a Storke or Crane, or such like bird, which after it is ripe, parteth at the bottome where it is biggest, into foure or fiue seedes, euery one whereof hath a peece of the beake head fastened vnto it, and falleth away if it bee not gathered: the roote is tuberous and round, like vnto the roote of the _Cyclamen_ or ordinary Sowbread almost, but smaller, and of a darke russet colour on the outside, and white within, which doth encrease vnder ground, by certaine strings running from the mother root into small round bulbes, like vnto the rootes of the earth Chesnut, and will presently shoote leaues, and quickly grow to beare flowers, but will not abide to be kept long dry out of the ground, without danger to be vtterly spoiled.

2. _Geranium Batrachoides flore cæruleo._ The blew Crowfoote Cranes bill.

This Crowfoote Cranes bill hath many large leaues, cut into fiue or fix parts or diuisions, euen to the bottome, and iagged besides on the edges, set vpon very long slender foote-stalkes, very like the leaues of the wilde Crowfoot; from among which rise vp diuers stalkes with great ioynts, somewhat reddish, set with leaues like the former: the toppes of the stalkes are spread into many branches, whereon stand diuers flowers, made of fiue leaues a peece, as large as any of the wilde or field Crowfeete, round pointed, of a faire blew or watchet colour, which being past, there doe arise such heads or bils, as other of the Cranes bils haue: the roote is composed of many reddish strings, spreading in the ground, from a head made of diuers red heads, which lye oftentimes eminent aboue the ground.

3. _Geranium Batrachoides flore albo._ The white Crowfoote Cranes bill.

This Cranes bill is in leafe and flower altogether like the former, the onely difference betweene them consisteth in the colour of the flower, which in this is wholly white, and as large as the former: but the roote of this hath not such red heads as the other hath.

4. _Geranium Batrachoides flore albo & cæruleo vario._ The party coloured Crowfoote Cranes bill.

The flowers of this Cranes bill are variably striped and spotted, and sometimes diuided, the one halfe of euery leafe being white, and the other halfe blew, sometimes with lesser or greater spots of blew in the white leafe, very variably, and more in some years then in others, that it is very hard to expresse all the varieties that may be obserued in the flowers, that blow at one time. In all other parts of the plant, it is so like vnto the former, that vntill it be in flower, the one cannot be knowne from the other.

5. _Geranium Batrachoides alterum flore purpureo._ Purple Crowfoote Cranes bill.

This purple Cranes bill hath many leaues rising from the roote, set vpon long foot-stalkes, somewhat like vnto the other, yet not so broad, but more diuided or cut, that is, into seuen or more slits, euen to the middle, each whereof is likewise cut in on the edges more deeply then the former; the stalkes are somewhat knobbed at the ioynts, set with leaues like vnto the lower, and bearing a great tuft of buds at the toppes of the branches, which breake out into faire large flowers, made of fiue purple leaues, which doe somewhat resemble the flower of a Mallow, before it be too full blowne, each whereof hath a reddish pointell in the middle, and many small threads compassing it, this vmbell or tuft of buds doe flower by degrees, and not all at once, and euery flower abideth open little more then one day, and then sheddeth, so that euery day yeeldeth fresh flowers, which because they are so many, are a long while before they are all past or spent: after the flowers are past, there arise small beake heads or bils, like vnto the other Cranes bils, with small turning seede: the roote is composed of a great tuft of strings, fattened to a knobby head.

6. _Geranium Romanum versicolor siue striatum._ The variable stript Cranes bill.

This beautifull Cranes bill hath many broad yellowish greene leaues arising from the roote, diuided into fiue or six parts, but not vnto the middle as the first kindes are: each of these leaues hath a blackish spot at the bottome corners of the diuisions, the whole leafe as well in forme as colour and spots, is very like vnto the leafe of the _Geranium fuscum_, or spotted Cranes bill, next following to be described, but that the leaues of this are not so large as the other: from among these leaues spring vp sundry stalkes a foote high and better, ioynted and knobbed here and there, bearing at the tops two or three small white flowers, consisting of fiue leaues a peece, so thickly & variably striped with fine small reddish veines, that no green leafe that is of that bignesse can shew so many veines in it, nor so thick running as euery leafe of this flower doth: in the middle of the flower standeth a small pointell, which when the flower is part doth grow to be the seed vessell, whereon is set diuers small seeds, like vnto the small seedes of other Cranes bils: the root is made of many small yellow threads or strings.

7. _Geranium fuscum siue maculatum._ Swart tawny or spotted Cranes bill.

The leaues of this Cranes bill are in all points like the last described, as well in the forme and diuisions as colour of the leaues, being of a yellowish greene colour, but larger and stronger by much: the stalkes of this rise much higher, and are ioynted or knobbed with reddish knees or ioynts, on the tops whereof stand not many although large flowers, consisting of fiue leaues a peece, each whereof is round at the end, and a little snipt round about, and doe bend or turne themselues backe to stalkewards, making the middle to be highest or most eminent; the colour of the flower is of a darke or deepe blackish purple, the bottome of euery leafe being whiter than the rest; it hath also a middle pointell standing out, which afterwards bring forth seede like vnto others of his kinde: the roote consisteth of diuers great strings, ioyned to a knobby head.

8. _Geranium Hematodes._ The red Rose Cranes bill.

This Cranes bill hath diuers leaues spread vpon the ground, very much cut in or diuided into many parts, and each of them againe slit or cut into two or three peeces, standing vpon slender long foote-stalkes, of a faire greene colour all the Spring and Summer, but reddish in Autumne: among these leaues spring vp slender and weake stalkes, beset at euery ioynt (which is somewhat reddish) with two leaues for the most part, like vnto the lower: the flowers grow seuerally on the toppe of the stalkes, and not many together in bunches or branches, as in all other Cranes bils, euery flower being as large as a single Rose Campion flower, consisting of fiue large leaues, of a deeper red colour then in any other Cranes bill at the first opening, and will change more blewish afterwards: when the flower is past, there doth arise such like beakes as are in others of the same kinde, but small: the roote is hard, long, and thicke, with diuers branches spreading from it, of a reddish yellow colour on the outside, and whitish within, which abideth and perisheth not, but shooteth forth some new greene leaues, which abide all the Winter, although those that turne red doe fall away.

_Geranium Creticum._ Candy Cranes bill.

Candy Cranes bill beareth long and tender stalkes, whereon growe diuers broad and long leaues, cut in or iagged on the edges: the toppes of the stalkes are branched into many flowers, made of fiue leaues of a reasonable bignesse, and of a faire blew or watchet colour, with a purplish pointell in the middle, which being past, there follow beake heads like other Cranes bils, but greater, containing larger, greater, and sharper pointed seede, able to pierce the skinne, if one be not warie of it: the roote is white and long, with some fibres at it, and perisheth when it hath perfected his seede, and will spring of it owne sowing many times, if the Winter be not too sharpe, otherwise (being annuall) it must be sowne in the Spring of the yeare.

The Place.

Most of these Cranes bils are strangers vnto vs by nature,
but endenizond in our English Gardens. It hath beene reported
vnto mee by some of good credit, that the second or Crowfoot
Cranes bill hath been found naturally growing in England, but
yet I neuer saw it, although I haue seen many sorts of wilde
kindes in many places. Matthiolus saith that the first groweth
in Dalmatia and Illyria very plentifully. Camerarius, Clusius,
and others, that most of the rest grow in Germany, Bohemia,
Austria, &c. The last hath his place recorded in his title.

The Time.

All these Cranes bils doe for the most part flower in Aprill,
and May, and vntill the middle of Iune. The variable or stript
Cranes bill is vsually the latest of all the rest.

The Names.

The first is vsually called _Geranium tuberosum_, of some
_Geranium bulbosum_, of the likenesse of the roote vnto
a bulbe: It is without controuersie _Geranium primum_ of
Dioscorides. The second is called _Geranium Gratia Dei_, of
others, _Geranium cæruleum_. The blew Cranes bill Lobel calleth
it _Batrachoides_, because both leafe and flower are like vnto
a Crowfoote; and the affinity with the Cranes bils in the
seede causeth it rather to be referred to them then to the
Crowfeete. The stript Cranes bill is called by some _Geranium
Romanum_. The last sauing one is called _Geranium Hæmatodes_,
or _Sanguineum_, of Lobel _Geranium Gruinale Hæmatodes supinum
radice repente_. In English it may be called after the Greek
and Latine, The bloudy Cranes bill, but I rather call it, The
Rose Cranes bill, because the flowers are as large as single
Roses, or as the Rose Campion. Some of them are called in many
places of England Bassinets.

The Vertues.

All the kindes of Cranes bils are accounted great wound herbes,
and effectuall to stay bleedings, yet some more than others.
The Emperickes of Germanie, as Camerarius saith, extoll it
wonderfully, for a singular remedie against the Stone, both in
the reines and bladder.

CHAP. XXXI.

_Sanicula guttata maior._ Spotted Sanicle.

Hauing long debated with my selfe, where to place this & the other plants that follow in the two next Chapters, I haue thought it not amisse for this worke to set them downe here, both before the Beares eares, which are kindes of Sanicle, as the best Authors doe hold, and after the Cranes bils, both for some qualities somewhat resembling them, and for some affinity of the flowers with the former.

The spotted Sanicle hath many small round leaues, bluntly endented about the edges, somewhat like vnto the leaues of our white Saxifrage, of a full greene colour aboue, and whitish hairy, and somewhat reddish withall vnderneath: the stalkes are set here and there with the like leaues, rising a foote and a halfe high or more, very much diuided at the toppe into sundry small branches, bearing many very small white flowers, consisting of fiue small leaues, wherein are many small red spots to be seene, as small as pins points, of a pretty sweete sent, almost like Hawthorne flowers, in the middle whereof are many small threads compassing a head, which when it is ripe containeth small blacke seede: the roote is scaly, or couered with a chaffie matter, hauing many small white fibres vnderneath, whereby it is fastened in the ground.

[Sidenote: _Minor non guttata._]

There is another of this kinde, like both in roote, leafe, and flower to the former, the onely difference is, that this is lesser then the former, and hath no spots in the flower, as the other hath.

[Sidenote: _Minus guttata._]

We haue also another smaller kinde then the last, both in leafe and flower, the leaues whereof are smaller, but rounder, and more finely snipt or indented about the edges, like the teeth of a fine sawe: the stalke is little aboue a span high, hauing many small white flowers spotted as the first, but with fewer spots.

The Place.

These growe in the shadowie Woods of the Alpes, in diuers
places, and with vs they more delight in the shade then the
sunne.

The Time.

All these Sanicles doe flower in May, and continue flowring
vntill Iune, and the seede soone ripeneth after: the rootes
abide all the Winter, with some leaues on them, springing a
fresh in the beginning of the yeare.

The Names.

The former two are called by Clusius _Sanicula montana_, and by
others _Sanicula guttata_: by Lobel _Geum Alpinum_. The third
or last hath been sent vs vnder the name of _Sanicula montana
altera minor_.

The Vertues.

The name imposed on these plants doe certainly assure vs of
their vertues, from the first founders, that they are great
healers, and from their taste, that they are great binders.

CHAP. XXXII.

_Cotyledon altera Matthioli._ Spotted Nauelwort.

This spotted Nauelwort, as many doe call it, hath many thicke small leaues, not so broad as long, of a whitish greene colour, lying on the ground in circles, after the manner of the heads of Houseleeke, and dented about the edges; from the middle whereof sometimes (for it doth not flower euery yeare in many places) ariseth vp a stalke, scarce a foote high, beset with such like leaues as are belowe, but somewhat longer: from the middle of the stalke vp to the top it brancheth forth diuersly, with a leafe at euery ioynt, bearing three or foure flowers on euery branch, consisting of fiue white leaues, spotted with small red spots, like vnto the spotted Sanicle, but with fewer and greater spots, hauing a yellowish circle or eye in the bottome of euery flower, and many whitish threads with yellowish tips in it: the seede is small and blacke, contained in small round heads: the roote is small, long, and threadie, shooting out such heads of leaues, which abide all the Winter, those that beare flower perishing.

_Cotyledon altera minor._ Small dented Nauelwort.

There is another like vnto that before described in most things, the differences be these: It hath shorter leaues then the former, and dented about the edges in the like manner: the flowers hereof are white, but greater, made of six leaues, and most vsually without any spots at all in them, some are seene to haue spots also: the heads or seede vessels are more cornered then the former.

_Cotyledon altera flore rubro stellato._ Small red flowred Nauelwort.

This hath also many heads of leaues, but more open, which are longer, greener, and sharper pointed then eyther of the former, somewhat reddish also, and not dented about the edges, but yet a little rough in handling: the stalke ariseth from among the leaues, being somewhat reddish, and the leaues thereon are reddish pointed, diuided at the toppe into many branches, with diuers flowers thereon, made of twelue small long leaues, standing like a starre, of a reddish purple colour, with many threads therein, set about the middle head, which is diuided at the toppe into many small ends, like pods or hornes, containing therein very small seede: the roote is small like the former.

_Sedum serratum flore rubente maculato._ The Princes Feather.

This kinde of Sengreene is composed of heads of larger, broader, and thinner leaues then any of the former, of a sadder greene colour, somewhat vneuenly endented about the edges, and not so close set together, but spreading forth into seuerall heads like as the former sorts doe, although not so plentifully; from the middle of diuers of which heads rise vp brownish or reddish stalkes, set with smaller leaues thereon to the middle thereof, and then brancheth forth into seuerall sprigs, set with diuers small reddish flowers consisting of fiue leaues a peece, the innerside of which are of a pale red, somewhat whitish, spotted with many small bloud red spots, as small almost as pins points, with some small threads in the middle, standing about a small greene head, which turneth into the seede vessell, parted foure wayes at the head, wherein is contained small blackish seede: the rootes are small threads, which spread vnder the ground, and shoote vp seuerall heads round about it.

The Place.

All these growe in Germany, Hungarie, Austria, the Alpes, and
other such like places, where they cleaue to the rocke it
selfe, that hath but a crust of earth on it to nourish them.
They will abide in Gardens reasonable well, if they be planted
in shadowie places, and not in the sun.

1 _Sanicula guttata._ Spotted Sanicle.
2 _Cotyledon altera Matthioli._ Spotted Nauelwort.
3 _Cotyledon altera minor._ Small dented Nauelwort.
4 _Cotyledon altera flore rubro stellato._ Small red flowred
Nauelwort.
5 _Sedum serratum flore rubente maculato._ The Princes Feather.
6 _Soldanella Alpina._ Blew Moonwort.
]

The Time.

They flower for the most part in the end of May, and sometimes
sooner or later, as the yeare falleth out.

The Names.

The first is called by Matthiolus, _Cotyledon altera
Dioscoridis_, and _Vmbilicus alter_, but it is not the true
_Cotyledon altera_ of Dioscorides; for _Sedum vulgare maius_,
Our common Houseleeke, by the consent of the best moderne
Writers, is the true _Cotyledon altera_ of Dioscorides, or
_Vmbilicus Veneris alter_. I hold it rather to bee a kinde of
small Houseleeke, as the other two likewise are. The second is
called by some _Aizoum_ or _Sedum minus serratum_. The third
hath his name in his title. Wee doe call them Nauelworts in
English rather then Houseleekes, _Euphoniæ gratia_. The last
may be called dented Sengreene with reddish spotted flowers,
but some of our English Gentlewomen haue called it, The Princes
Feather, which although it be but a by-name, may well serve for
this plant to distinguish it, and whereby to be knowne.

The Vertues.

They are all held to be cold and moist, like vnto other
Houseleekes.

CHAP. XXXIII.

_Soldanella Alpina._ Mountaine Soldanella or blew Moonewort.

This beautifull plant hath many round and hard leaues, set vpon long foote-stalkes, a little vneuenly cut about the edges, greene on the vpperside, and of a grayish greene vnderneath, and sometime reddish like the leaues of Sowbread, which because they doe somewhat resemble the leaues of _Soldanella marina_, which is the Sea Bindweede, tooke the name thereof: the stalkes are slender, small, round, and reddish, about a span high, bearing foure or fiue flowers at the toppe, euery one hanging downe their heads, like vnto a Bell flower, consisting but of one leafe (as most of the Bindweeds doe) plated into fiue folds, each of them ending in a long point, which maketh the flower seem to haue fiue leaues, each whereof is deeply cut in on the edges, and hauing a round greene head in the middle, with a pricke or pointell at the end thereof: the flower is of a faire blew colour, sometimes deeper or paler, or white, as nature listeth without any smell at all: the middle head, after the flower is fallen, riseth to be a long round pod, bearing that pricke it had at the end thereof, wherein is contained small greenish seede: the roote hath many fibres shooting from a long round head or roote.

The Place.

This groweth on the Alpes, which are couered with snow the
greatest part of the yeare, and will hardly abide transplanting.

The Time.

In the naturall places it flowreth not vntill the Summer
moneths, Iune, Iuly, and August, after the snow is melted from
the Hils, but being brought into Gardens, it flowreth in the
beginning of Aprill or thereabouts.

The Names.

This plant, by reason of the likenesse of leaues with
_Soldanella_, as was before said, is called by many
_Soldanella_, but yet is no Bindweede; and therefore I rather
call it in English a Mountaine Soldanella, then as Gerrard
doth, Mountaine Bindweede. It is likewise called by some,
_Lunaria minor cærulea_, The lesser blew Lunary or Moonwort,
and so I would rather haue it called.

The Vertues.

They that imposed the name of _Lunaria_ vpon this plant, seeme
to referre it to the wound or consolidating herbes, but because
I haue no further relation or experience, I can say no more
thereof vntill tryall hath taught it. Some also from the name
_Soldanella_, which is giuen it, because of the likenesse of
the leaues, haue vsed it to help the Dropsie, for which the Sea
plant is thought to be effectuall.

CHAP. XXXIIII.

_Auricula Vrsi._ Beares eares.

There are so many sundry and seuerall sorts of Beares eares, the variety consisting as well in the differing colours of the flowers, as the forme and colour of the leaues, that I shall not comprehend and set downe vnto you all the diuersities by many, that are risen vp to those that haue beene industrious in the sowing of the seedes of the seuerall sorts of them; yet if you accept of these that I doe here offer vnto you, I shall giue you the knowledge of others, as time, occasion, and the view of them shall enable me. And because they are without all question kinds of Cowslips, I haue set them downe before them in the first place, as being of more beautie and greater respect, or at the least of more rarity vnto vs. To dispose them therefore into order, I shall ranke them vnder three principall colours, that is to say, Red or Purple, White, and Yellow, and shew you the varieties of each of them (for so many as are come to my knowledge) apart by themselues, and not promiscuously as many others haue done.

1. _Auricula Vrsi flore purpureo._ Purple Beares eare, or The Murrey Cowslip.

This purple Beares eare or Cowslip hath many greene leaues, somewhat long and smooth, narrow from the bottome of the leafe to the middle, and broad from thence to the end, being round pointed, and somewhat snipt or endented about the edges; in the middle of these leaues, and sometimes at the sides also, doe spring round greene stalkes foure or fiue fingers high, bearing at the top many flowers, the buds whereof, before they are blowne, are of a very deepe purple colour, and being open, are of a bright, but deepe purple, vsually called a Murrey colour, consisting of fiue leaues a peece, cut in at the end as it were into two, with a whitish ring or circle at the bottome of each flower, standing in small greene cups, wherein after the flowers are fallen, are contained very small heads, not rising to the height of the cups, bearing a small pricke or pointell at the toppe of them, wherein is little blackish seede: the roote hath many whitish strings fastened to the maine long roote, which is very like vnto a Primrose or Cowslip roote, as it is in all other parts besides.

2. _Auricula Vrsi purpurea absque orbe._ The murrey Cowslip without eyes.

There is another of this kinde, whose leafe is somewhat lesse, as the flower is also, but of the same colour, and sometimes somewhat redder, tending to a Scarlet, without any circle at the bottome of the flower, in no other things differing from it.

3. _Auricula Vrsi minor flore tannetto._ Tawney Beares eares.

The leaues of this kinde haue a greater shew of mealinesse to be seene in them, and not much smaller then the former, yet snipt or endented about the ends like vnto them: the flowers are many, of the same fashion with the former, but smaller, each whereof is of as deepe a murrey or tawnie colour when it is blowne, as the buds of the former are before they are blowne, hauing a white circle at the bottome of the flower, and yellowish in the middle belowe the circle.

4. _Auricula Vrsi flore rubro saturo orbe luteo._ Deepe or bloud red Beares eares with eyes.

This kinde hath small and long greene leaues, nothing mealy, but snipt about the edges, from the middle of the leaues forwards to the ends: the flowers hereof are of a deepe red colour, tending to a bloud red, with a deepe yellow circle, or rather bottome in the middle.

[Sidenote: _Auricula Vrsi flore rubro saturo absque orbe._]

There is another of this kinde, whose leaues are somewhat mealy, and smaller then any (that I haue seene) that haue mealy leaues: the flowers are of the same deepe red colour with the last described, yet hath no circle or bottome of any other colour at all.

5. _Auricula Vrsi flore purpuro cæruleo._ The Violet coloured Beares eare.

We haue another, whose leaues are somewhat mealy and large; the flowers whereof are of a paler purple then the first, somewhat tending to a blew.

6. _Auricula Vrsi flore obsoleto magno._ The Spaniards blush Beares eare.

This great Beares eare hath as large leaues as any other of this kindred whatsoeuer, and whitish or mealy withall, somewhat snipt about the edges, as many other of them are: the flowers stand at the toppe of a strong and tall stalke, larger then any of the other that I haue seene, being of a duskie blush colour, resembling the blush of a Spaniard, whose tawney skinne cannot declare so pure a blush as the English can; and therefore I haue called it the Spaniards blush.

7. _Auricula Vrsi flore rubello._ Scarlet or light red Beares eares.

The leaues of this kinde are very like the leaues of the first purple kinde, but that they are not so thicke; of a little paler greene colour, and little or nothing snipt about the edges: the flowers are of a bright, but pale reddish colour, not halfe so deepe as the two last with white circles in the bottomes of them, in other things this differeth not from others.

8. _Auricula Vrsi roseo colore._ The Rose coloured Beares eare.

We haue another, whose leafe is a little mealy, almost as large as any of the former, whose flowers are of a light red colour, very neare the colour of an ordinary Damaske Rose, with a white eye at the bottome.

1 _Auricula Vrsi flore purpureo._ Purple Cowslips or Beares eares.
2 _Auricula Vrsi flore tannetto._ Tawney Beares eare.
3 _Auricula Vrsi flore & folio Boraginis._ Blew Beares eares with
Borage leaues.
4 _Auricula Vrsi flore carneo._ Blush Beares eare.
5 _Auricula Vrsi maxima lutea flore eleganti._ The greatest faire
yellow Beares eares with eyes.
6 _Auricula Vrsi altera flore luteo._ The yellow Beares eare.
7 _Auricula Vrsi crinis coloris siue flore fusco._ The haire
coloured Beares eare.
8 _Cortusa Matthioli._ Beares eare Sanicle.
]

9. _Auricula Vrsi flore cæruleo folio Boraginis._ Blew Beares eares with Borage leaues.

This plant is referred to the kindred or family of the Beares eares, onely for the forme of the flower sake, which euen therein it doth not assimilate to the halfe; but because it hath passed others with that title, I am content to insert it here, to giue you the knowledge thereof, and rather to satisfie others then my selfe with the place thereof: the description whereof is as followeth: It hath diuers broad rough hairy leaues spread vpon the ground, somewhat like vnto the leaues of Borage for the roughnesse, but not for the largenesse; the leaues hereof being somewhat rent in some places at the edges: from among these leaues rise vp one, or two, or more brownish, round, and hairy stalkes, a span high or thereabouts, bearing at the toppes three or foure flowers a peece, consisting of fiue large pointed leaues, of a faire blew or light azur colour, with some small yellow threads in the middle, standing in small greene cups: the roote is long and brownish, hauing many small fibres annexed vnto it.

10. _Auricula Vrsi maior flore albo._ The great white Beares eare.

This white Beares eare hath many faire whitish greene leaues, somewhat paler then the leaues of any of the kindes of Beares eares, and a little snipt about the ends, as manie other are: among these leaues rise vp stalkes foure or fiue inches high, bearing at the toppe many flowers like vnto the small yellow Beares eare hereafter set downe, of a pale whitish colour, tending to yellow at the first opening of the flower, which after two or three dayes change into a faire white colour, and so continue all the while it flowreth: the roote is like the purple kinde, as all or most of the rest are, or very little differing.

11. _Auricula Vrsi minor flore albo._ The lesser white Beares eare.

The lesser Beares eare hath smaller leaues, of a little darker green colour: the stalke and flowers are likewise lesser then the former, and haue no shew of yellownesse at all, eyther in budde or flower, but is pure white, differing not in other things from the rest.

12. _Auricula Vrsi maxima lutea flore eleganti._ The greatest faire yellow Beares eare with eyes.

This yellow Beares eare hath many faire large thicke leaues, somewhat mealy or hoary vpon the greennesse, being larger then any other kinde, except the sixth, and the next yellow that followeth, smooth about the edges, and without any endenting at all: the stalke is great, round, and not higher then in other of the former, but bearing manie more flowers thereon then in any other kinde, to the number of thirty many times, standing so round and close together, that they seeme to be a Nosegay alone, of the same fashion with the former, but that the leaues are shorter and rounder, yet with a notch in the middle like the rest, of a faire yellow colour, neither very pale nor deepe, with a white eye or circle in the bottome, about the middle of euery flower, which giueth it the greater grace: the seede is of a blackish browne colour, like vnto others, but contained in greater round heads then any other, with a small pointell sticking in the middle: the roote is greater and thicker then any other, with long strings or fibres like vnto the other sorts, but greater.

13. _Auricula Vrsi maior lutea folio incano._ The greater yellow Beares eare.

This greater yellow Beares eare hath his leaues larger, and more mealy or hoarie then the last, or any other of these kindes: the flowers are not so many, but longer, and not so thicke thrusting together as the first, but of a deeper yellow colour, without any eye or circle in the middle.

14. _Auricula Vrsi maior flore pallido._ The great Straw coloured Beares eare.

This hath almost as mealy leaues as the last, but nothing so large; the flowers are of a faire strawe colour, with a white circle at the bottome of them, these three last haue no shew or shadow of any other colour in any part of the edge, as some others that follow haue.

15. _Auricula Vrsi minor flore pallente._ The lesser straw coloured Beares eare.

We haue another, whose leafe is lesse mealy, or rather pale green, and a little mealy withall; the flowers whereof are of a paler yellow colour then the last, and beareth almost as many vpon a stalke as the first great yellow.

16. _Auricula Vrsi minor lutea._ The lesser yellow Beares eares.

The leaues of this Beares eare are nothing so large as either of the three former yellow kindes, but rather of the bignesse of the first white kinde, but yet a little larger, thicker, and longer then it, hauing vnder the greennesse a small shew of mealinesse, and somewhat snipt about the edges: the flowers are of a pale yellow colour, with a little white bottome in them: the seed and rootes are like vnto the other kindes.

17. _Auricula Vrsi flore flauo._ The deepe yellow or Cowslip Beares eare.

This kinde hath somewhat larger leaues then the last, of a yellowish greene colour, without any mealinesse on them, or endenting about the edges, but smooth and whole: the flowers are not larger but longer, and not laide open so fully as the former, but of as deepe a yellow colour as any Cowslip almost, without any circle in the bottome: neither of these two last haue any shew of other colour then yellow in them, sauing the white in the eye.

18. _Auricula Vrsi versicolor prima siue flore rubescente._ The blush Beares eare.

The blush Beares eare hath his leaues as large, and as hoary or mealy as the third greater yellow, or straw coloured Beares eare; among which riseth vp a stalke about foure inches high, bearing from six to twelue, or more faire flowers, somewhat larger then the smaller yellow Beares eare before described, hauing the ground of the flower of a darke or dunne yellow colour, shadowed ouer a little with a shew of light purple, which therefore we call a blush colour, the edges of the flower being tipt with a little deeper shew of that purple colour, the bottome of the flower, abiding wholly yellow, without any circle, and is of very great beauty, which hath caused me to place it in the forefront of the variable coloured Beares eares. And although some might thinke it should be placed among the first ranke of Beares eares, because it is of a blush colour, yet seeing it is assuredly gained from some of the yellow kindes by sowing the seede, as many other sorts are, as may be seene plainly in the ground of the flower, which is yellow, and but shadowed ouer with purple, yet more then any of the rest that follow; I thinke I haue giuen it his right place: let others of skill & experience be iudges herein.

19. _Auricula Vrsi crinis coloris._ Haire coloured Beares eares.

The leaues of this kinde are more mealy like then the last blush kinde, but somewhat longer and larger, and snipt about the edges in the same manner, from the middle of the leafe forwards: the flower is vsually of a fine light browne yellow colour, which wee doe vsually call an Haire colour, and sometimes browner, the edges of the flower haue a shew or shadow of a light purple or blush about them, but more on the outside then on the inside.

20. _Auricula Vrsi versicolor lutea._ The yellow variable Beares eare.

This variable Beares eare hath his greene leaues somewhat like vnto the deepe yellow, or Cowslip Beares eare before described, but somewhat of a fresher greene, more shining and smaller, and snipt about the edges towards the ends, as many of those before are: the flowers are of a faire yellow colour, much laid open when it is full blowne, that it seemeth almost flat, dasht about the edges onely with purple, being more yellow in the bottome of the flower, then in any other part.

21. _Auricula Vrsi versicolor lutescente viridi flore._ The variable greene Beares eare.

This kinde of Beares eare hath greene leaues, very like vnto the last described, and snipt in the like manner about the edges, but in this it differeth, that his leaues do turne or fold themselues a little backwards: the flowers are of a yellowish greene colour, more closed then the former, hauing purplish edges, especially after they haue stood blowne some time, and haue little or none at the first opening: these haue no circles at all in them.

Many other varieties are to be found, with those that are curious conseruers of these delights of nature, either naturally growing on the mountaines in seuerall places, from whence they (being searched out by diuers) haue been taken and brought, or else raised from the seede of some of them, as it is more probable: for seuerall varieties haue beene obserued (and no doubt many of these before specified) to bee gotten by sowing of the seedes, euery yeare lightly shewing a diuersity, not obserued before, either in the leafe, diuers from that from whence it was taken, or in the flowers. I haue onely set downe those that haue come vnder mine owne view, and not any by relation, euen as I doe with all or most of the things contained in this worke.

The Place.

Many of these goodly plants growe naturally on mountaines,
especially the Alpes, in diuers places; for some kindes that
growe in some places, doe not in others, but farre distant one
from the other. There hath likewise some beene found on the
Pyrenæan mountaines, but that kinde with the blew flower and
Borage leafe, hath beene gathered on the mountaines in Spaine,
and on the Pyrenæans next vnto Spaine.

The Time.

They all flower in Aprill and May, and the seede is ripe in
the end of Iune, or beginning of Iuly, and sometimes they will
flower againe in the end of Summer, or in Autumne, if the yeare
proue temperate, moist, and rainie.

The Names.

It is very probable, that none of these plants were euer knowne
vnto the ancient Writers, because we cannot be assured, that
they may be truely referred vnto any plant that they name,
vnlesse we beleeue Fabius Columna, that it should be _Alisma_
of Dioscorides, for thereunto hee doth referre it. Diuers of
the later Writers haue giuen vnto them diuers names, euery one
according to his owne conceit. For Gesner calleth it _Lunaria
arthritica_, and _Paralytica Alpina_. Matthiolus accounteth it
to bee of the kindred of the Sanicles, and saith, that in his
time it was called by diuers Herbarists, _Auricula Vrsi_, which
name hath since bin receiued as most vsuall. We in English call
them Beares eares, according to the Latine, or as they are
called by diuers women, French Cowslips; they may be called
Mountaine Cowslips, if you will, for to distinguish betweene
them and other Cowslips, whereof these are seuerall kindes.

_Sanicula Alpina siue Cortusa Matthioli._ Beares eare Sanicle.

I cannot chuse but insert this delicate plant in the end of the Beares eares, for that it is of so neare affinity, although it differ much in the forme of the leaues, the description whereof is in this manner: The leaues that spring vp first are much crumpled, and as it were folded together, which afterwards open themselues into faire, broad, and roundish leaues, somewhat rough or hairy, not onely cut into fine diuisions, but somewhat notched also about the edges, of a darke greene colour on the vpperside, and more whitish greene vnderneath; amongst these leaues riseth vp one or two naked round stalkes, fiue or six inches high, bearing at the toppes diuers small flowers, somewhat sweete, like vnto the first purple Beares eare, hanging downe their heads, consisting of fiue small pointed leaues a peece, of a darke reddish purple colour, with a white circle or bottome in the middle, and some small threads therein: after the flowers are past, there come small round heads, somewhat longer then any of the Beares eares, standing vpright vpon their small foot-stalkes, wherein is contained small round and blackish seede: the roote consisteth of a thicke tuft of small whitish threads, rather then rootes, much enterlaced one among another: the leaues of this plant dye downe euery yeare, and spring vp a new in the beginning of the yeare, whereas all the Beares eares doe hold their leaues greene all the Winter, especially the middlemost, which stand like a close head, the outermost for the most part perishing after seed time.

The Place.

This groweth in many shadowie Woods both of Italy and Germany;
for both Clusius hath described it, finding it in the Woods of
Austria and Stiria; and Matthiolus setteth it downe, hauing
receiued it from Anthonius Cortusus, who was President of
the Garden at Padua, and found it in the woody mountaines of
Vicenza, neare vnto Villestagna; whereon (as Matthiolus saith)
there is found both with white flowers as well as with blew,
but such with white flowers or blew we neuer could see or heare
further of.

The Time.

It flowreth much about the time of the Beares eares; or rather
a little later, and the seede is ripe with them.

The Names.

Clusius calleth it _Sanicula montana_, and _Sanicula Alpina_,
and referreth it to the _Auricula Vrsi_, or Beares eare, which
it doth most nearly resemble: but Matthiolus referreth it to
the _Cariophyllata_ or _Auens_, making it to be of that tribe
or family, and calleth it _Cortusa_ of him that first sent it
him. Wee may call it eyther _Cortusa_, as for the most part all
Herbarists doe, or Beares eare Sanicle as Gerrard doth.

The Vertues.

All the sorts of Beares eares are Cephalicall, that is,
conducing helpe for the paines in the head, and for the
giddinesse thereof, which may happen, eyther by the sight
of steepe places subiect to danger, or otherwise. They are
accounted also to be helping for the Palsey, and shaking of the
ioynts; and also as a Sanicle or wound-herbe. The leaues of
the _Cortusa_ taste a little hot, and if one of them bee laide
whole, without bruising, on the cheeke of any tender skind
woman, it will raise an orient red colour, as if some _fucus_
had beene laide thereon, which will passe away without any
manner of harme, or marke where it lay: This is Cortusus his
obseruation Camerarius in his _Hortus Medicus_ saith, that an
oyle is made thereof, that is admirable for to cure wounds.

CHAP. XXXV.

_Primula veris & Paralysis._ Primroses and Cowslips.

We haue so great variety of Primroses and Cowslips of our owne Country breeding, that strangers being much delighted with them, haue beene often furnished into diuers Countries, to their good content: And that I may set them downe in some methodicall manner, as I haue done other things, I will first set downe all the sorts of those we call Primroses, both single and double, and afterwards the Cowslips with their diuersities, in as ample manner as my knowledge can direct me. And yet I know, that the name of _Primula veris_ or Primrose, is indifferently conferred vpon those that I distinguish for _Paralyses_ or Cowslips. I doe therefore for your better vnderstanding of my distinction betweene Primroses and Cowslips, call those onely Primroses that carry but one flower vpon a stalke, be they single or double, except that of Master Hesket, and that with double flowers many vpon a stalke, set out in Gerards Herball, which is his onely, not found (as I thinke) _in rerum natura_, I am sure, such a one I could neuer heare of: And those Cowslips, that beare many flowers vpon a stalke together constantly, be they single or double also. I might otherwise distinguish them also by the leafe; that all the Primroses beare their long and large broad yellowish greene leaues, without stalkes most vsually; and all the Cowslips haue small stalkes vnder the leaues, which are smaller, and of a darker greene, as vsually, but that this distinction is neither so certaine and generall, nor so well knowne.

1. _Primula veris flore albo._ The single white Primrose.

The Primrose that groweth vnder euery bush or hedge, in all or most of the Woods, Groues, and Orchards of this Kingdome, I may well leaue to his wilde habitation, being not so fit for a Garden, and so well knowne, that I meane not to giue you any further relation thereof: But we haue a kinde hereof which is somewhat smaller, and beareth milke white flowers, without any shew of yellownesse in them, and is more vsually brought into Gardens for the rarity, and differeth not from the wilde or ordinary kinde, either in roote or leafe, or any thing else, yet hauing those yellow spots, but smaller, and not so deepe, as are in the other wilde kinde.

2. _Primula veris flore viridi simplici._ The single greene Primrose.

The single greene Primrose hath his leaues very like vnto the greater double Primrose, but smaller, and of a sadder greene colour: the flowers stand seuerally vpon long foot-stalkes, as the first single kinde doth, but larger then they, and more laide open, of the same, or very neare the same yellowish greene colour that the huske is of, so that at the first opening, the huske and the flower seeme to make one double greene flower, which afterwards separating themselues, the single flower groweth aboue the huske, and spreadeth it selfe open much more then any other single Primrose doth, growing in the end to be of a paler greene colour.

3. _Primula veris flore viridante & albo simplici._ The single greene and white Primrose.

The leaues of this differ in a manner nothing from the former, neither doth the flower but only in this, that out of the large yellowish green huskes, which contain the flowers of the former, there commeth forth out of the middle of each of them either a small peece of a whitish flower, or else a larger, sometimes making vp a whole flower, like an ordinary Primrose.

1 _Primula veris flore albo._ The white Primrose.
2 _Primula veris flore viridi & albo simplici._ The green and white
Primrose.
3 _Primula veris flore viridi duplici._ The double green Primrose.
4 _Primula veris Hesketi._ Master Heskets double Primrose.
5 _Primula veris flore pleno vulgaris._ The ordinary double
Primrose.
6 _Paralysis veris flore viridante simplici._ The single green
Cowslip.
7 _Paralysis flore geminato odorato._ Double Cowslips or hose in
hose.
8 _Paralysis inodora flore geminato._ Double Oxelips hose in hose.
9 _Paralysis hortensis flore & calice crispo._ Curld Cowslips or
Gaskins.
10 _Paralysis minor angustifolia flore rubro._ Red Birds eyen.
11 _Paralysis hortensis flore pleno vulgaris._ Double Paigles.
12 _Paralysis fatuo._ The foolish Cowslip or Iacke an Apes on horse
backe.
13 _Paralysis flore viridi roseo calamistrato._ The double greene
feathered Cowslip.
]

4. _Primula veris flore viridi duplici._ The double greene Primrose.

This double Primrose is in his leaues so like the former single greene kindes, that the one cannot be knowne from the other vntill it come to flower, and then it beareth vpon euery stalke a double green flower, of a little deeper green colour then the flower of the former single kinde consisting but of two rowes of short leaues most vsually, and both of an equall height aboue the huske, abiding a pretty time in flower, especially if it stand in any shadowed place, or where the Sun may come but a while vnto it.

5. _Primula veris Hesketi flore multiplici separatim diviso._ Master Heskets double Primrose.

Master Heskets double Primrose is very like vnto the small double Primrose, both in leafe, roote, and height of growing, the stalke not rising much higher then it, but bearing flowers in a farre different manner; for this beareth not only single flowers vpon seuerall stalkes, but sometimes two or three single flowers vpon one stalk, and also at the same time a bigger stalke, and somewhat higher, hauing one greene huske at the toppe thereof, sometimes broken on the one side, and sometimes whole, in the middle whereof standeth sometimes diuers single flowers, thrust together, euery flower to be seene in his proper forme, and sometimes there appeare with some whole flowers others that are but parts of flowers, as if the flowers were broken in peeces, and thrust into one huske, the leaues of the flowers (being of a white or pale Primrose Colour, but a little deeper) seldome rising aboue the height of the very huske it selfe; and sometimes, as I haue obserued in this plant, it will haue vpon the same stalke, that beareth such flowers as I haue here described vnto you, a small flower or two, making the stalke seeme branched into many flowers, whereby you may perceiue, that it will vary into many formes, not abiding constant in any yeare, as all the other sorts doe.

6. _Primula hortensis flore pleno vulgaris._ The ordinary double Primrose.

The leaues of this Primrose are very large, and like vnto the single kind, but somewhat larger, because it growth in gardens: the flowers doe stand euery one seuerally vpon slender long footestalkes, as the single kinde doth, in greenish huskes of a pale yellow colour, like vnto the field Primrose, but very thicke and double, and of the same sweete sent with them.

7. _Primula veris flore duplici._ The small double Primrose.

This Primrose is both in leafe, roote, and flower, altogether like vnto the last double Primrose, but that it is smaller in all things; for the flower riseth not aboue two or three fingers high, and but twice double, that is, with two rowes of leaues, yet of the very same Primrose colour that the former is of.

8. _Paralysis vulgaris pratensis flore flauo simplici odorato._ The Common field Cowslip.

The common fielde Cowslip I might well forbeare to set downe, being so plentifull in the fields: but because many take delight in it, and plant it in their gardens, I will giue you the description of it here. It hath diuers green leaues, very like vnto the wilde Primrose, but shorter, rounder, stiffer, rougher, more crumpled about the edges, and of a sadder greene colour, euery one standing vpon his stalke, which is an inch or two long: among the leaues rise vp diuers round stalkes, a foote or more high, bearing at the toppe many faire yellow single flowers, with spots of a deeper yellow, at the bottome of each leafe, smelling very sweete. The rootes are like to the other Primroses, hauing many fibres annexed to the great roote.

9. _Paralysis altera odorata flore pallido polyanthos._ The Primrose Cowslip.

The leaues of this Cowslip are larger then the ordinary fielde Cowslip, and of a darke yellowish greene colour; the flowers are many, standing together, vpon the toppes of the stalkes, to the number of thirty sometimes vpon one stalke, as I haue counted them in mine owne Garden, and sometimes more, euery one hauing a longer foote stalke then the former, and of as pale a yellowish colour almost as the fielde Primrose, with yellow spots at the bottome of the leaues, as the ordinary hath, and of as sweet a sent.

10. _Paralysis flore viridante simplici._ The single greene Cowslip.

There is little difference in leafe or roote of this from the first Cowslip, the chiefest varietie in this kinde is this, that the leaues are somewhat greener, and the flowers being in all respects like in forme vnto the first kinde, but somewhat larger, are of the same colour with the greene huskes, or rather a little yellower, and of a very small sent; in all other things I finde no diuersitie, but that it standeth much longer in flower before it fadeth, especially if it stand out of the Sunne.

11. _Paralysis flore & calice crispo._ Curl’d Cowslips or Gallegaskins.

There is another kinde, whose flowers are folded or crumpled at the edges, and the huskes of the flowers bigger than any of the former, more swelling out in the middle, as it were ribbes, and crumpled on the sides of the huskes, which doe somewhat resemble mens hose that they did weare, and tooke the name of Gallegaskins from thence.

12. _Paralysis flore geminato odorato._ Double Cowslips one within another, or Hose in Hose.

The only difference of this kinde from the ordinary field Cowslip is, that it beareth one single flower out of another, which is as a greene huske, of the like sent that the first hath, or somewhat weaker.

13. _Paralysis flore flauo simplici inodoro absque calicibus._ Single Oxe lippes.

This kinde of Cowslip hath leaues much like the ordinary kinde, but somewhat smaller: the flowers are yellow like the Cowslip, but smaller, standing many vpon a stalke, but bare or naked, that is, without any huske to containe them, hauing but little or no sent at all; not differing in any thing else from the ordinary Cowslip.

14. _Paralysis flore geminato inodora._ Double Oxelips Hose in Hose.

As the former double Cowslip had his flowers one within another, in the very like manner hath this kinde of Cowslip or Oxelippe, sauing that this hath no huske to containe them, no more then the former single Oxelippe hath, standing bare or naked, of the very same bignesse each of them, and of the same deepe yellow colour with it, hauing as small a sent as the former likewise.

[Sidenote: _Flore pallidiora._]

Wee haue another of this kinde, whose leaues are somewhat larger, and so are the flowers also, but of a paler yellow colour.

15. _Paralysis inodora calicibus dissectis._ Oxelips with iagged huskes.