Chapter XVII: Front Matter (17)

The last hath his Latine name in the title as is best agreeing
with it, and for the English, although it be too foolish I
confesse, yet it may passe for this time till a fitter be
giuen, vnlesse you please to follow the Latine, and call it
Virginia Loose-strife.

The Vertues.

I neuer knew any among vs to vse these kindes of Violets in
Physicke, although by reason of the sharpe biting taste,
Dodonæus accounteth the ordinary sort to be a kinde of Rocket,
and saith it prouoketh sweating, and vrine: and others affirme
it to cut, digest, and cleanse tough flegme. The Virginian hath
not beene vsed by any that I know, either inwardly or outwardly.

CHAP. XLII.

_Viola Lunaris siue Bolbonach._ The Sattin flower.

Vnto the kindes of Stocke-Gilloflowers I thinke fittest to adioyne these kindes of Sattin-flowers, whereof there are two sorts, one frequent enough in all our Countrie, the other is not so common.

1. _Viola Lunaris vulgaris._ The common white Sattin flower.

The first of these Sattin flowers, which is the most common, hath his leaues broad belowe, and pointed at the end, snipt about the edges, and of a darke greene colour: the stalkes are round and hard, two foot high, or higher, diuided into many branches, set with the like leaues, but smaller: the tops of the branches are beset with many purplish flowers, like vnto Dames Violets, or Stocke Gilloflowers, but larger, being of little sent: after the flowers are past, there come in their places round flat thin cods, of a darke colour on the outside, but hauing a thinne middle skinne, that is white and cleare shining, like vnto very pure white Sattin it selfe, whereon lye flat and round brownish seede, somewhat thicke and great: the rootes perish when they haue giuen their seede, and are somewhat round, long, and thicke, resembling the rootes of _Lilium non bulbosum_, or Day Lilly, which are eaten (as diuers other rootes are) for Sallets, both in our owne Country, and in many places beside.

2. _Viola Lunaris altera seu peregrina._ Long liuing Sattin flower.

This second kinde hath broader and longer leaues then the former, the stalkes also are greener and higher, branching into flowers, of a paler purple colour, almost white, consisting of foure leaues in like manner, and smelling pretty sweete, bearing such like pods, but longer and slenderer then they: the rootes are composed of many long strings, which dye not as the former, but abide, and shoot out new stalkes euery yeare.

The Place.

The first is (as is said) frequent enough in Gardens, and is
found wilde in some places of our owne Country, as Master
Gerard reporteth, whereof I neuer could be certainly assured,
but I haue had it often sent mee among other seedes from Italy,
and other places. The other is not so common in Gardens, but
found about Watford, as he saith also.

The Time.

They flower in Aprill or May, and sometimes more early.

The Names.

It hath diuers names, as well in English as in Latine; for it
is called most vsually _Bolbonach_, and _Viola Lunaris_: Of
some _Viola latifolia_, and of others _Viola Peregrina_, and
_Lunaria Græca_, _Lunaria maior_, and _Lunaria odorata_, and is
thought to be _Thlaspi Crateuæ_: In English, White Satten, or
Satten flower: Of some it is called Honesty, and Penny-flower.

The Vertues.

Some doe vse to eate the young rootes hereof, before they runne
vp to flower, as Rampions are eaten with Vinegar and Oyle; but
wee know no Physicall vse they haue.

CHAP. XLIII.

_Linum siluestre & Linaria._ Wilde Flaxe and Tode Flaxe.

Although neither the manured Line or Flaxe is a plant fit for our Garden, nor many of the wilde sorts, yet there are some, whose pleasant and delightfull aspect doth entertaine the beholders eyes with good content, and those I will set downe here for varietie, and adioyne vnto them some of the _Linarias_, or Tode Flaxe, for the neare affinity with them.

1. _Linum siluestre flore albo._ Wilde Flaxe with a white flower.

This kinde of wilde Flaxe riseth vp with diuers slender branches, a foote high or better, full of leaues, standing without order, being broader and longer then the manured Flaxe: the tops of the branches haue diuers faire white flowers on them, composed of fiue large leaues a peece, with many purple lines or strikes in them: the seede vessell as well as the seede, is like vnto the heads and seede of the manured Flaxe: the rootes are white strings, and abide diuers yeares, springing fresh branches and leaues euery yeare, but not vntill the Spring of the yeare.

2. _Linum siluestre luteum._ Wilde Flaxe with a yellow flower.

This wilde Flaxe doth so well resemble a kinde of St. Iohns wort, that it will soone deceiue one that doth not aduisedly regard it: For it hath many reddish stalkes, and small leaues on them, broader then the former wilde Flaxe, but not so long, which are well stored with yellow flowers, as large as the former, made of fiue leaues a peece, which being past, there come small flattish heads, containing blackish seede, but not shining like the former: the rootes hereof dye not euery yeare, as many other of the wilde kindes doe, but abide and shoote out euery yeare.

3. _Linaria purpurea._ Purple Tode Flaxe.

This purple Tode Flaxe hath diuers thicke, small, long, and somewhat narrowish leaues, snipt about the edges, of a whitish greene colour, from among which rise vp diuers stalkes, replenished at the tops with many small flowers, standing together one aboue another spike-fashion, which are small and somewhat sweete, while they are fresh, fashioned somewhat like the common Tode flaxe that groweth wilde abroad almost euery where, but much smaller, with a gaping mouth, but without any crooked spurre behinde, like vnto them, sometimes of a sad purple neare vnto a Violet, and sometimes of a paler blew colour, hauing a yellow spot in the middle or gaping place: after the flowers are past, there come small, hard, round heads, wherein are contained small, flat, and grayish seede: the roote is small and perisheth for the most part euery yeare, and will spring againe of it owne sowing, if it be suffered to shed it selfe, yet some hard Winters haue killed the seede it should seeme, in that sometimes it faileth to spring againe, and therefore had neede to be sowne anew in the Spring.

4. _Linaria purpurea odorata._ Sweete purple Tode Flaxe.

The lower leaues of this purple Tode Flaxe are nothing like any of the rest, but are long and broad, endented about the edges, somewhat resembling the leaues of the greater wilde white Daisie: the stalke is set at the bottome with such like leaues, but a little more diuided and cut in, and still smaller and smaller vpward, so that the vppermost leaues are very like the common Tode Flaxe, the toppe whereof is branched, hauing diuers small flowers growing along vpon then, in fashion and colour almost like the last described Tode Flaxe, but not altogether so deepe a purple: the heads and seedes are very like the former, but that the seede of this is reddish; the flowers in their naturall hot Countries haue a fine sent, but in these colder, little or none at all: the rootes are small and threadie, and perish after they haue flowred and seeded.

1 _Linum siluestre flore albo._ Wilde Flaxe with a white flower.
2 _Linaria purpurea siue cærulea._ Purple Tode Flaxe.
3 _Linaria purpurea odorata._ Sweete purple Tode Flaxe.
4 _Scoparia siue Beluidere Italorum._ Broome Tode Flaxe.
5 _Antirrhinum maius._ The greater Snapdragon.
6 _Chamænerium flore delphinij._ The willowe flower.
]

5. _Linaria Valentina._ Tode Flaxe of Valentia.

This Spanish Tode Flaxe hath three or foure thicker and bigger stalkes then the former, bearing small broad leaues, like vnto the small Centory, two or three together at a ioynt, round about the lower end of the stalkes, but without any order vpwards, at the toppes whereof stand many flowers, in fashion like vnto the common kinde, and almost as large, of a faire yellow colour, but the gaping mouth is downie, and the spurre behinde of a purplish colour.

6. _Scoparia siue Beluidere Italorum._ Broome Tode Flaxe.

Although this plant haue no beautifull flowers, yet because the greene plant full of leaues is so delightfull to behold, being in Italy and other places planted not onely in their Gardens, but set likewise in pots to furnish their Windowes, and euen with vs also hath growne to be so dainty a greene bush, that I haue thought it worthy to be among the delights of my Garden; the description whereof is as followeth: This pleasant Broome Flaxe riseth vp most vsually with one straight vpright square stalke, three foote and a halfe high or better in our Gardens, branching it selfe out diuers waies, bearing thereon many long narrow leaues, like the Garden Line or Flaxe, very thicke set together, like vnto a bush, or rather like vnto a faire greene Cypresse tree, growing broad belowe, and spire-fashion vpwards, of a very faire greene colour: at the seuerall ioynts of the branches, towards the tops, and among the leaues, there come forth small reddish flowers, not easily seene nor much regarded, being of no beauty, which turne into small round blackish gray seede: the rootes are a number of blackish strings set together, and the whole plant perisheth euery yeare at the first approach of any cold ayre, as if it neuer had beene so faire a greene bush.

The Place.

These kindes of wilde Flaxe doe growe naturally in diuers
places, some in Germany, some in Spaine, and some in Italy.
Those that delight in the beauty of natures variety, doe
preserue them, to furnish vp the number of pleasant aspects.

The Time.

They all flower in the Summer moneths, and soone after perfect
their seede.

The Names.

Their names are sufficiently expressed in their titles, yet I
must giue you to vnderstand that the last is called of some
_Linaria magna_, and of others _Osyris_.

The Vertues.

The wilde Flaxe hath no medecinable vertue appropriate vnto
it that is knowne. The Tode Flaxe is accounted to be good, to
cause one to make water.

CHAP. XLIIII.

_Antirrhinum._ Snapdragon.

There is some diuersity in the Snapdragons, some being of a larger, and others of a lesser stature and bignesse; and of the larger, some of one, and some of another colour, but because the small kindes are of no beautie, I shall at this time onely entreate of the greater sorts.

1. _Antirrhinum album._ White Snapdragon.

The leaues of these Snapdragons (for I doe vnder one description comprehend the rest) are broader, longer, and greener then the leaues of the Garden Flaxe, or of the wilde Flaxe set confusedly vpon the tender greene branches, which are spread on all sides, from the very bottome, bearing at the toppes many flowers, somewhat resembling the former Tode Flaxe, but much larger, and without any heele or spurre, of a faire white colour, with a yellow spot in the mouth or gaping place: after the flowers are past, there come vp in their places hard round seede vessels, fashioned somewhat like vnto a Calues head, the snout being cut off, wherein is contained small blacke seede: the rootes are many white strings, which perish in most places after they haue giuen seede, notwithstanding any care or paines taken with them to preserue them aliue, and yet they will abide in some places where they are defended in the Winter.

2. _Antirrhinum purpureum siue roseum._ Purple Snapdragon.

The purple Snapdragon is in stalkes, leaues, and flowers altogether like the former, and as large and great in euery part, or greater; the only difference is, that this beareth pale Stammell or Rose coloured flowers, with a yellow spot in the mouth, and sometimes of a paler colour, almost blush.

3. _Antirrhinum variegatum._ Variable Snapdragon.

This variable kinde is somewhat lesse, and tenderer then the last described, hauing also a reddish or blush coloured flower, lesser then the former, but much bigger then the middle kinde of Snapdragon (which is not set downe in this worke) the yellow spot in the mouth of it hath some white about it, and extending to both sides of the spot: the heads and seede are like the former: the rootes are smaller, but neuer will abide after they haue giuen flowers and seede.

4. _Antirrhinum luteum._ Yellow Snapdragon.

There is likewise another of these kindes, that beareth leaues as large as any of the former, & very faire yellow flowers, as large likewise as they, not differing in any thing else from the first; let not any therefore imagine this to be a _Linaria_ or Tode Flaxe: for all parts are answerable vnto the Snapdragons.

The Place.

All these are nourished with vs in our Gardens, although in
Spaine and Italy they are found growing wilde.

The Time.

They flower for the most part the second yeare after the
sowing, from Aprill vntill Iuly, and the seede is quickly ripe
after.

The Names.

The name _Antirrhinum_ is vsually giuen to this plant,
although it fully agreeth not eyther with the description of
Dioscorides, or Theophrastus: It hath also diuers other names
in Latine, as _Orontium_, _Canis cerebrum Os Leonis_, _Leo
herba_, _&c._ In English Calues snout, from the forme of the
seede vessels, and Snapdragon, or Lyons mouth, from the forme
of the flowers.

The Vertues.

They are seldome or neuer vsed in Physicke by any in our dayes.

CHAP. XLV.

_Chamænerium flore delphinij._ The Willowe flower.

This plant riseth vp with many strong, woddy, round, brownish great stalkes, three or foure foote high, beset here and there without order, with one broad and long whitish greene leafe at a ioynt, somewhat like vnto a _Lysimachia_, or Willowe herbe, as also vnto a Peach leafe, but larger and longer: at the toppe of the branches stand many flowers one aboue another, of a pale reddish purple colour, consisting of fiue leaues, spread open with an heele or spurre behinde them, with many yellow threads in the middle, much larger then any flower of the Larkes spurres, and smelling somewhat sweete withall; it beareth a shew of long pods with seede, but I could neuer obserue the seede: the rootes are like the rootes of _Lysimachia_, or the ordinary yellow Loose-strife, or Willowe herbe, but greater: running and spreading vnder ground, and shooting vp in many places, whereby it filleth a ground that it likes quickly: the stalkes dye downe euery yeare, and spring againe in many places farre asunder.

The Place.

Wee haue not knowne where this Willowe flower groweth
naturally, but we haue it standing in an out corner of our
Gardens, to fill vp the number of delightfull flowers.

The Time.

It flowreth not vntill May, and abideth a long while flowring.

The Names.

It may seeme to diuers, that this is that plant that Dodonæus
called _Pseudolysimachium purpureum minus_, and Lobel seemeth
by the name of _Delphinium buccinum_ to aime at this plant,
but withall calleth it _Chamænerium Gesneri_, and giueth the
same figure that Dodonæus hath for his _Pseudolysimachium_:
But that is one kinde of plant (which hath smaller and shorter
stalkes, and very narrow long leaues, whose flowers stand vpon
long slender cods, full of downe, with reddish seede, like vnto
the _Lysimachia siliquosa siluestris_, and rootes that abide
many yeares, but creepe not) and this is another, much greater,
whose true figure is not extant in any Author that I know. It
is vsually called _Chamænerium flore delphinij_; but the name
of _Delphinium buccinum_ in my minde may not so conueniently be
applyed vnto it. It is called in English, The Willowe flower,
for the likenesse of the leaues, and the beauty and respect of
the flowers.

The Vertues.

There is no vse hereof in Physicke that euer I could learne,
but is onely cherished among other sorts of flowers, that serue
to decke and set forth a Garden of varieties.

CHAP. XLVI.

_Aquilegia._ Colombines.

There are many sorts of Colombines, as well differing in forme as colour of the flowers, and of them both single and double carefully noursed vp in our Gardens, for the delight both of their forme and colours.

1. _Aquilegia vulgaris flore simplici._ Single Colombines.

Because the whole difference of these Colombines standeth in the varieties of the forme, and colour of the flowers, and little in the leaues, I shall not neede to make anie repetitions of the description of them, seeing one onely shall suffice for each peculiar kinde. The Colombine hath diuers large spread leaues, standing on long stalkes: euery one diuided in seuerall partitions, and roundly endented about the edges, in colour somewhat like the leaues of Celondine, that is, of a darke blewish greene colour: the stalkes rise vp sometimes two or three foote high, diuided vsually into many branches, bearing one long diuided leafe at the lower ioynt, aboue which the flowers growe, euery one standing on a long stalke, consisting of fiue hollow leaues, crooked or horned at the ends, turning backward, the open flower shewing almost like vnto a Cinquefoile, but more hollow: after the flowers are past, there arise small long cods, foure or fiue together, wherein are contained blacke shining seede: the rootes are thicke and round, for a little space within the ground, and then diuided into branches, ending in many small fibres, abiding many yeares, and shooting a fresh euery Spring from the round heads, that abide all the Winter. The variety of the colours of these flowers are very much, for some are wholly white, some of a blew or violet colour, others of a blush or flesh colour, or deepe or pale red, or of a dead purple, or dead murrey colour, as nature listeth to shew it selfe.

2. _Aquilegia vulgaris flore pleno._ Double Colombines.

The double Colombines differ not in leafe or manner of growing from the single, so that vntill they come to flower, they cannot bee discerned one from another; the onely difference is, it beareth very thicke and double flowers, that is, many horned or crooked hollow leaues set together, and are not so large as the leaues of the single flowers. The variety of colours in this double kinde is as plentifull, or rather more then in the single; for of these is party coloured, blew and white, and spotted very variably, which are not in the single kinde, and also a very deepe red, very thicke and double, but a smaller flower, and lesse plentifull in bearing then many of the other double sorts. These double kindes doe giue as good seede as the single kindes doe, which is not obserued in many other plants.

3. _Aquilegia inuersis corniculis._ Double inuerted Colombines.

These Colombines are not to be distinguished eyther in roote, leaues, or seed from the former, the flowers onely make the difference, which are as double as the former, but that the heeles or hornes of these are turned inward, and stand out in the middle of the flowers together: there is not that plentifull variety of colours in this kinde, as there is in the former: for I neuer saw aboue three of foure seuerall colours in this kinde, that is, white, purplish, reddish, and a dun or darke ouerworne purplish colour. These double flowers doe likewise turne into pods, bearing seede, continuing his kind, and not varying into the former.

4. _Aquilegia Rosea._ Rose Colombines.

The leaues and other parts of this kinde of Colombine, differ little or nothing from the former, the diuersitie consisteth likewise in the flowers, which although they stand in the same manner seuerally vpon their small stalkes, somewhat more sparingly then the former doe, yet they haue no heeles or hornes, eyther inward or outward, or very seldome, but stand sometimes but with eight or tenne smooth small plaine leaues, set in order one by one in a compasse, in a double rowe, and sometimes with foure or fiue rowes of them, euery one directly before the other, like vnto a small thick double Rose layd open, or a spread Marigold: yet sometimes it happeneth, that some of these flowers will haue two or three of the first rowes of leaues without any heele, and the rest that are inward with each of them a peece of a small horne at them, as the former haue: the colours of these flowers are almost as variable, and as variably mixed as the former double kindes. This likewise giueth seede, preseruing his owne kinde for the most part.

5. _Aquilegia degener._ Degenerate Colombines.

This kinde of Colombine might seeme to some, to bee but a casuall degeneration, and no true naturall kinde, happening by some cause of transplanting, or otherwise by the art of man: but I haue not so found it, in that it keepeth, and holdeth his own proper forme, which is like vnto the double Rose Colombine, but that the outermost row of leaues are larger then any of the rest inwardes, and is of a greenish, or else of a purplish greene colour, and is not altogether so apt to giue good seed like the former.

The Place.

The single kindes haue beene often found in some of the wooddy
mountaines of Germany, as Clusius saith, but the double kindes
are chiefly cherished in gardens.

The Time.

They flower not vntill May, and abide not for the most part
when Iune is past, and in the meane time perfecteth their
seede.

The Names.

Costæus doth call this plant _Pothos_ of Theophrastus, which
Gaza translateth _Desiderium_. Dalechampius vpon Athenæus,
calleth it _Diosanthos_, or _Iouis flos_ of Theophrastus, who
in his sixth Booke and seuenth Chapter reckoneth them both,
that is, _Diosanthos_ and _Pothos_, to be Summer flowers, but
seuerally. Dodonæus _Leoherba_, and Gesner _Leontostomium_.
Fabius Columna in his Phytobasanos, vnto whom Clusius giueth
the greatest approbation, referreth it to the _Isopyrum_ of
Dioscorides. All later Writers doe generally call it, eyther
_Aquileia_, _Aquilina_, or _Aquilegia_; and we in English,
generally (I thinke) through the whole Countrey, Colombines.
Some doe call the _Aquilegia rosea_, _Aquilegia stellata_, The
starre Colombine; because the leaues of the flowers doe stand
so directly one by another, besides the doublenesse, that they
somewhat represent eyther a Rose or a Starre, and thereupon
they giue it the name eyther of a Starre or Rose.

1 _Aquilegia simplex._ The single Colombine.
2 _Aquilegia flore multiplici._ The double Colombine.
3 _Aquilegia versicolor._ The party coloured Colombine.
4 _Aquilegia inuersis corniculis._ The double inuerted Colombine.
5 _Aquilegia Rosea siue Stellata._ The Rose or the Starre Colombine.
6 _Thalictrum Hispanicum album._ White Spanish tufts.
]

The Vertues.

Some in Spaine, as Camerarius saith, vse to eate a peece of
the roote hereof fasting, many dayes together, to helpe them
that are troubled with the stone in the kidneyes. Others vse
the decoction, of both herbe and roote in wine, with a little
Ambargrise, against those kinds of swounings, which the Greekes
call ἀδυναμία. The seede is vsed for the iaundise, and other
obstructions of the liuer. Clusius writeth from the experience
of Franciscus Rapard, a chiefe Physician of Bruges in Flanders,
that the seede beaten and drunke is effectuall to women in
trauell of childe, to procure a speedy deliuerie, and aduiseth
a second draught thereof should be taken if the first succeede
not sufficiently.

CHAP. XLVII.

_Thalictrum Hispanicum._ Spanish Tufts, Or Tufted Columbines.

From among the diuersities of this plant, I haue selected out two sorts for this my garden, as hauing more beautie then all the rest; leauing the other to be entreated of, where all in generall may be included. I haue in this place inserted them, for the likenesse of the leaues only, being in no other part correspondent, and in a Chapter by themselues, as it is most fit.

_Thalictrum Hispanicum album._ White Spanish tufted Colombines.

These plants haue both one forme, in roote, leafe and flower, and therefore neede but one description. The leaues are both for colour and forme so like vnto Colombines leaues (although lesser and darker, yet more spread, and on larger stalkes) that they may easily deceiue one, that doth not marke them aduisedly; for the leaues are much more diuided, and in smaller parts, and not so round at the ends: the stalkes are round, strong, and three foote high at the least, branching out into two or three parts, with leaues at the seuerall ioynts of them, at the toppes whereof stand many flowers, which are nothing but a number of threads, made like vnto a small round tuft, breaking out of a white skinne, or leafe, which incloseth them, and being vnblowne, shew like vnto little buttons: the colour of these threds or tufts in this are whitish with yellow tips on them, and somewhat purplish at the bottome, hauing a strong but no good sent, and abiding in their beautie (especially if they grow in the shade, and not too hot in the sun) a great while, and then fall away, like short downe or threds: the seed vessels are three square, containing small, long, and round seede; the rootes are many long yellow fringes, which endure and encrease much.

_Thalictrum Montanum purpureum._ Purple tufted Colombines.

This purple tufted Colombine differeth onely from the former, in that it is not so high nor so large, and that the colour of the flower or tuft is of a blewish purple colour with yellow tips, and is much more rare then the other.

The Place.

These grow both in Spaine and Italie.

The Time.

They flower in the end of May, or in Iune, and sometimes later.

The Names.

Some doe call them _Thaliotrum_, and some _Thalictrum_. Others
_Ruta palustris_, and _Ruta pratensis_, and some _Rhabarbarum
Monachorum_, or _Pseudo-rhabarbarum_, by reason that the
rootes being yellow, haue an opening qualitie, and drying as
Rubarbe. In English what other fit Names to giue these then I
haue expressed in the titles, I know not.

The Vertues.

They are a little hot and drying withall, good for old Vlcers,
as Dioscorides saith, to bring them to cicatrising: in Italy
they are vsed against the Plague, and in Saxonye against the
Iaundise, as Camerarius saith.

CHAP. XLVIII.

_Radix caua._ Hollow roote.

The likenesse of the leaues likewise of this plant with Colombines, hath caused mee to insert it next the other, and although some of this kinde bee of small respect, being accounted but foolish, yet let it fill vp a waste corner, that so no place be vnfurnished.

1. _Radix Caua maior flore albo._ The white Hollow roote.

The leaues of this hollow roote breake not out of the ground, vntill the end of March, or seldome before, and are both for proportion and colour somewhat like vnto the leaues of Colombines, diuided into fiue parts, indented about the edges, standing on small long footestalkes of a whitish greene colour, among which rise vp the stalkes, without any leaues from the bottome to the middle, where the flowers shoote forth one aboue another, with euery one a small short leafe at the foote thereof, which are long and hollow, with a spurre behinde it, somewhat like vnto the flowers of Larckes spurres, but hauing their bellies somewhat bigger, and the mouth not so open, being all of a pure white colour: after the flowers are past, arise small long and round cods, wherein are contained round blackish seede: the roote is round and great, of a yellowish browne colour on the outside, and more yellow within, and hollow vnderneath, so that it seemeth but a shell: yet being broken, euery part will grow: it abideth greene aboue ground but a small time.

2. _Radix Caua maior flore carneo._ Blush colourd Hollow roote.

The blush Hollow roote is in all things like vnto the former, but onely that the flowers hereof are of a delayed red or purple colour, which we call blush: and sometimes of a very deepe red or purple colour; but very rare to meete with.

3. _Radix Caua minor, seu Capnos fabacea radice._ Small hollow roote.

This small kinde hath his leaues of a blewish greene colour, yet greener and smaller then the former, growing more thicke together: the flowers are like in proportion vnto the former in all respects, but lesser, hauing purplish backes, and white bellyes: standing closer and thicker together vpon the short stalkes: the roote is solid or firme, round and a little long withall, two being vsually ioyned together, yellowish both within and without: but I haue seene the dry roots that came from beyond Sea hither, that haue beene as small as hasell nuts, and somewhat flat with the roundnesse, differing from those that growe with vs, whether the nature thereof is to alter by manuring I know not.

The Place.

The greater kindes Clusius reporteth he found in many places of
Hungarie, and the other parts neare thereunto: the lesser in
the lower Germany, or Low Countries, as we call them.

The Time.

These are most truely to bee reckoned Vernall plants, for that
they rise not out of the ground vntill the Spring bee come in,
and are gone likewise before it be past, remaining vnder ground
all the rest of the yeare, yet the lesser abideth longer aboue
ground then the greater.

The Names.

Concerning the former of these, there is a controuersie among
diuers, whether it should be _Thesium_ of Theophrastus, or
_Eriphium_ of Galen, but here is no fit place to trauerse those
opinions. Some would haue it to bee _Corydalis_, and some
referre it to Plinie his _Capnos Chelidonia_, for the likenesse
it hath both with Fumeterie and Celandine. It is generally
called of all moderne Writers, _Radix Caua_, and we in English
thereafter, Hollow roote. The lesser for the firmnesse of his
round roote, is vsually called, _Capnos fabacea radice_, and
the Dutch men thereafter, =Boonkens Hollwortell=: we of the
likenesse with the former, doe call it the lesse Hollow roote.

The Vertues.

Some by the bitternesse doe coniecture (for little proofe hath
beene had thereof, but in outward cases) that it clenseth,
purgeth, and dryeth withall.

CHAP. XLIX.

_Delphinium._ Larkes heeles.

Of Larkes heeles there are two principall kindes, the wilde kinde, and the tame or garden; the wilde kinde is of two sorts, one which is with vs noursed vp chiefly in gardens, and is the greatest; the other which is smaller and lower, often found in our plowed landes, and elsewhere: of the former of these wilde sorts, there are double as well as single: and of the tame or more vpright, double also and single: and of each of diuers colours, as shall be set downe.

1. _Delphinium maius siue vulgare._ The ordinary Larkes heeles.

The common Larkes heele spreadeth with many branches much more ground then the other, rather leaning or bending downe to the ground, then standing vpright, whereon are set many small long greene leaues, finely cut, almost like Fennell leaues: the branches end in a long spike of hollow flowers, with a long spurre behinde them, very like vnto the

[Sidenote: _Varietas._]

flowers of the Hollow roote last described, and are of diuers seuerall colours, as of a blewish purple colour, or white, or ash colour or red, paler or deeper, as also party coloured of two colours in a flower; after the flowers are past, (which in this kinde abide longer then in the other) there come long round cods, containing very blacke seede: the root is hard after it groweth vp to seede, spreading both abroad and deepe, and perisheth euery yeare, vsually raising it selfe from it own sowing, as well as from the seede sowen in the spring time.

2. _Delphinium vulgare flore pleno._ Double common Larkes heeles.

Of this vulgar kinde there is some difference in the flower, although in nothing else: the flowers stand many vpon a stalke like the former, but euery one of them are as if three or foure small flowers were ioyned together, with euery one his spurre behinde, the greatest flower being outermost, and as it were containing the rest, which are of a pale red, or deepe blush colour: Another of this kinde will beare his flowers with three or foure rowes of leaues in the middle, making a double flower with one spurre behinde onely: and of this kinde there is both with purple, blew, blush, and white flowers, and party coloured also; these doe all beare seed like the single, wherby it is increased euery yeare.

3. _Delphinium aruense._ Wilde Larkes spurres.

This wilde Larkes spurre hath smaller and shorter leaues, smaller and lower branches, and more thinly or sparsedly growing vpon them, then any of the former: the flowers likewise are neyther so large as any of the former, nor so many growing together, the cods likewise haue smaller seede, and is harder to grow in gardens then any of the former, the most vsuall colour hereof is a pale reddish or blush colour, yet sometimes they are found both white and blew, and sometimes mixt of blew and blush, variably disposed, as nature can when she listeth; but are much more rare.

4. _Delphinium elatius flore simplici diuersorum colorum._ Single vpright bearing Larkes heeles of many colours.

The difference betweene this and the last is, that the leaues of this are not fully so greene, nor so large; the stalkes grow vpright, to the height of a man, and sometimes higher, hauing some branches thereon, but fewer then the former, and standing likewise vpright, and not leaning downe as the former: the toppes of the stalkes are better stored with flowers then the other, being sometimes two foote long and aboue, of the same fashion, but not altogether so large, but of more diuers and seueral colours, as white, pale, blush, redde deeper or paler, ashcoloured, purple or violet, and of an ouerworne blewish purple, or iron colour: for of all these we haue simple, without any mixture or spot: but we haue other sorts, among the simple colours, that rise from the same seede, and will haue flowers that wil be halfe white, and halfe blush or purple, or one leafe white, and another blush or purple, or else variably mixed and spotted: the seede and seede vessels are like the former but larger and harder.

5. _Delphinium elatius flore pleno diuersorum colorum._ Double vpright Larkes heeles of many colours.

These double Larkes heeles cannot bee knowne from the single of the same kinde, vntill they come towards flowring; for there appeare many flowers vpon the stalkes, in the same manner, and of as many colours almost as of the single, except the party coloured, which stand like little double Roses, layd or spread broade open, as the Rose Colombine without any heeles behinde them, very delightfull to behold, consisting of many small leaues growing together, and after they are fallen there come vp in their places three or foure small cods set together, wherein is contained here and there (for all are not full of seede, as the single kindes) blacke seede, like vnto all the rest, but smaller, which being sowen will bring plants that will beare both single and double flowers againe, and it often happeneth, that it variably altereth in colours from it owne sowing: for none of them hold constantly his owne colour, (so farre as euer I could obserue) but fall into others; as nature pleaseth.

6. _Delphinium Hispanicum paruum._ Spanish wilde Larkes spurres.

This small Larkes spurre of Spaine, hath diuers long and broad leaues next the ground, cut-in on both sides, somewhat like vnto the leafe of a Scabious, or rather that kinde of Stœbe, which Lobel calleth Crupina, for it doth somewhat neerly resemble the same, but that this is smooth on the edges, and not indented besides the cuts, as the _Crupina_ is, being of a whitish greene colour, and somewhat smooth and soft in handling: among the leaues riseth vp a whitish greene stalke, hauing many smaller leaues vpon it that grow belowe, but not diuided, branching out into many small stalkes, bearing flowers like vnto the wilde Larkes heeles, but smaller, and of a bleake blewish colour, which being past, there come vp two or three small cods ioyned together, wherein is blacke seede, smaller and rounder then any of the former: the roote is small and thready, quickly perishing with the first cold that ouertaketh the plant.

The Place.

The greatest or first wilde kindes growe among corne in many
countries beyond the Seas, and where corne hath beene sowne,
and for his beauty brought and nourished in our Gardens: the
lesser wilde kinde in some fields of our owne Country. The
Spanish kinde likewise in the like places, which I had among
many seedes that Guillaume Boel brought mee out of Spaine. The
first double and single haue been common for many yeares in all
countries of this Land, but the tall or vpright single kindes
haue been entertained but of late yeares. The double kindes are
more rare.

The Time.

These flower in the Summer onely, but the Spanish wilde kinde
flowreth very late, so that oftentimes in our Country, the
Winter taketh it before it can giue ripe seede: the double
kindes, as well the vpright as the ordinary or wilde, are very
choise and dainty many times, not yeelding good seede.

The Names.

They are called diuersly by diuers Writers, as _Consolida
regulis_, _Calcaris flos_; _Flos regius_, _Buccinum Romanorum_,
and of Matthiolus, _Cuminum siluestre alterum Dioscoridis_: but
the most vsuall name with vs is _Delphinium_: but whether it be
the true _Delphinium_ of Dioscorides, or the Poets Hyacinth, or
the flower of Aiax, another place is fitter to discusse then
this. Wee call them in English Larkes heeles, Larkes spurres,
Larkes toes, or clawes, and Monkes hoods. The last or Spanish
kinde came to mee vnder the name of _Delphinium latifolium
trigonum_, so stiled eyther from the diuision of the leaues,
or from the pods, which come vsually three together. Bauhinus
vpon Matthiolus calleth it, _Consolida regalis peregrina paruo
flore_.

The Vertues.

There is no vse of any of these in Physicke in these dayes that
I know, but are wholly spent for their flowers sake.

CHAP. L.

_Balsamina fœmina._ The Female Balsam Apple.

I haue set this plant in this place, for some likenesse of the flower, rather then for any other comparison, euen as I must also with the next that followeth. This plant riseth vp with a thicke round reddish stalke, with great and bunched ioynts, being tender and full of iuice, much like to the stalke of Purslane, but much greater, which brancheth it selfe forth from the very ground, into many stalkes, bearing thereon manie long greene leaues, snipt about the edges, very like vnto the Almond or Peach tree leaues; among which from the middle of the stalkes vpwards round about them, come forth vpon seuerall small short foot-stalkes many faire purplish flowers, of two or three colours in them, fashioned somewhat like the former Larkes heeles, or Monks hoods, but that they are larger open at the mouth, and the spurres behinde crooke or bend downewards: after the flowers are past, there come in their places round rough heads, pointed at the end, greene at the first, and a little yellower when they bee ripe, containing within them small round blackish seede, which will soone skippe out of the heads, if they be but a little hardly pressed betweene the fingers: the rootes spread themselues vnder ground very much from the toppe, with a number of small fibres, annexed thereunto: this is a very tender plant, dying euery yeare, and must bee sowne carefully in a pot of earth, and tended and watered in the heate of Summer, and all little enough to bring it to perfection.

1 _Radix Caua maior flore albo._ The white flowred Hollow roote.
2 _Capnos fabacea radice._ The small Hollow roote.
3 _Delphinium flore simplici._ Single Larkes spurs.
4 _Delphinium vulgare flore medio duplici._ Larkes spurs double in
the middle.
5 _Delphinium vulgare flore pleno._ Common Larks spurs double.
6 _Delphinium elatius flore pleno._ Double vpright Larkes spurs.
7 _Delphinium Hispanicum parvum._ Small Spanish Larkes spurs.
8 _Balsamina fœmina._ The Female Balsam apple.
9 _Nasturtium Indicum._ Indian Cresses, or yellow Larkes spurs.
]

The Place.

Wee haue alwaies had the seede of this plant sent vs out of
Italy, not knowing his originall place.

The Time.

It flowreth from the middle of Iuly, to the end of August: the
seed doth seldome ripen with vs, especially if the Summer be
backward, so that wee are oftentimes to seeke for new and good
seede from our friends againe.

The Names.

Some vse to call it _Charantia fœmina_, _Balsamina fœmina_,
_Balsamella_, and _Anguillara_, _Herba Sanctæ Katharinæ_. We
haue no other English name to call it by, then the Female
Balsame Apple, or _Balsamina_.

The Vertues.

Some by reason of the name, would attribute the property of
Balme vnto this plant, but it is not sufficiently knowne to
haue any such; yet I am well perswaded, there may bee some
extraordinary quality in so beautifull a plant, which yet lyeth
hid from vs.

CHAP. LI.

_Nasturtium Indicum._ Indian Cresses, or yellow Larkes heeles.

The likenesse (as I said before) of this flower likewise, hauing spurres or heeles maketh me ioyne it with the rest, which is of so great beauty and sweetnesse withall, that my Garden of delight cannot bee vnfurnished of it. This faire plant spreadeth it selfe into very many long trayling branches, enterlaced one within another very confusedly (yet doth it not winde it selfe with any claspers about either pole or any other thing, but if you will haue it abide close thereunto, you must tye it, or else it will lye vpon the ground) foure or fiue foot in length at the least, wherby it taketh vp a great deale of ground: the leaues are smooth, greene, and as round as the Penniwort that groweth on the ground, without any cut or incisure therein at all in any part, the stalkes whereof stand in the middle of each leafe and stand at euery ioynt of the stalke, where they are a little reddish, and knobbed or bunched out: the flowers are of an excellent gold yellow colour, and grow all along these stalkes, almost at euery ioynt with the leaues, vpon pretty long foote-stalkes, which are composed of fiue leaues, not hollow or gaping, but standing open each leafe apart by it selfe, two of them, that be larger and longer then the other, stand aboue and the other two that are lesser belowe, which are a little iagged or bearded on both sides, and the first lowest: in the middle of each of the three lower leaues (yet sometimes it is but in two of them) there is a little long spot or streake, of an excellent crimson colour, with a long heele or spurre behinde hanging downe: the whole flower hath a fine small sent, very pleasing, which being placed in the middle of some Carnations or Gilloflowers (for they are in flower at the same time) make a delicate Tussimussie, as they call it, or Nosegay, both for sight and sent: After the flower is past, come the seede, which are rough or vneuen, round, greenish yellow heads, sometimes but one, and sometimes two or three standing together vpon one stalke, bare or naked of themselues, without any huske, containing a white pulpy kernell; the rootes are small, and spreading vnder ground, which perish with the first frosts, and must be sowne a new euery yeare; yet there needeth no bed of horse-dung for the matter: the naturall ground will be sufficient, so as you defend it a little from those frosts, that may spoile it when it is newly sprung vp, or being yet tender.

The Place.

This goodly plant was first found in the West Indies, and from
thence sent into Spaine vnto Monardus and others, from whence
all other parts haue receiued it. It is now very familiar in
most Gardens of any curiosity, where it yearly giueth ripe
seed, except the yeare be very vnkindly.

The Time.

It flowreth sometimes in Iune, but vsually in Iuly (if it
be well defended and in any good ground) and so continueth
flowring, vntill the cold frosts and mistes in the middle or
end of October, doe checke the luxurious nature thereof, and in
the meane time the seede is ripe, which will quickly fall downe
on the ground, where for the most part the best is gathered.

The Names.

Some doe reckon this plant among the _Clematides_ or
_Convolvuli_, the Clamberers or Bindweedes; but (as I said) it
hath no claspers, neither doth it winde it selfe: but by reason
of the number of his branches, that run one within another, it
may seeme to climbe vp by a pole or sticke, which yet doth but
onely close it, as hauing something whereon to leane or rest
his branches. Monardus and others call it _Flos sanguineus_,
of the red spots in the flowers, as also _Mastuerzo de las
Indias_, which is _Nasturtium Indicum_, by which name it is now
generally knowne and called, and wee thereafter in English,
Indian Cresses, yet it may bee called from the forme of the
flowers onely, Yellow Larkes heeles.

The Vertues.

The Spaniards and others vse the leaues hereof in stead of
ordinary Cresses, because the taste is somewhat sharpe agreeing
thereunto, but other Physicall properties I haue heard of none
attributed to it.

CHAP. LII.

_Viola._ Violets.

The Garden Violets (for the Wilde I leaue to their owne place) are so well knowne vnto all, that either keepe a Garden, or hath but once come into it, that I shall (I thinke) but lose labour and time to describe that which is so common. Yet because it is not onely a choise flower of delight, notwithstanding the popularity, and that I let not passe anything without his particular description, I must also doe so by this. And hereunto I must adde that kinde of Violet, which, although it want that smell of the other, goeth beyond it in variety of dainty colours, called _Viola tricolor_ _&_ _flammea_, or Harts eases.

1. _Viola simplex Martia._ Single March Violets.

The single Garden Violet hath many round greene leaues, finely snipt or dented about the edges, standing vpon seuerall small stalkes, set at diuers places of the many creeping branches, which as they runne, doe here and there take roote in the ground, bearing thereon many flowers seuerally at the ioynts of the leaues, which consist of fiue small leaues, with a short round tayle or spurre behinde, of a perfect blew purple colour, and of a very sweete sent, it bringeth forth round seede vessels, standing likewise vpon their seuerall small stalkes, wherein is contained round white seede: but these heads rise not from where the flowers grew, as in all other plants that I know, but apart by themselues, and being sowne, will produce others like vnto it selfe, whereby there may be made a more speedy encrease to plant a Garden (as I haue done) or any other place, then by slipping, as is the vsuall manner: the rootes spread both deepe and wide, taking strong hold in the ground.

[Sidenote: _Flore albo._]

Of this kinde there is another that beareth white flowers, not differing in smell or any thing else from the former.

[Sidenote: _Flore obsoleto._]

And also another, that beareth flowers of a dead or sad reddish colour, in all other things alike, sauing that this hath not altogether so good a sent as the other.

2. _Viola Martia flore multiplici._ Double March Violets.

There is no difference betweene this Violet and the former, in any other thing then in the doublenesse of the flowers, which haue so many leaues set and thrust together, that they are like vnto hard buttons. There is of this double kinde both white and purple, as in the single; but the white sort is seldome so thicke and double as the purple: but of the red colour to be double I neuer heard.

3. _Viola flammea siue tricolor._ Harts eases or Pansies.

The Harts ease hath his leaues longer, and more endented or cut in on the edges then the Violet hath, and somewhat round withall: the stalkes are vpright, yet weake, and ready to fall downe, and lye vpon the ground, set here and there with the like leaues, from whence come forth the flowers, of little or no sent at all, made like vnto a Violet, yet more open, and with larger leaues; but so variably mixed with blew or purple, white and yellow, that it is hard to set downe all the varieties; For some flowers will be more white, and but some spots of purple or blew in the two vpper leaues, and the lower leaues with some stripes of yellow in the middle: others will haue more purple in them then any other colour, both in the vpper and lower leaues, the side leaues blew, and the middle yellow, and others white and blew with yellow stripes, as nature listeth to distribute their colours: the seede is small, whitish, and round, contained in small round heads: the roote perisheth euery yeare, and raiseth it selfe vp plentifully by it owne sowing, if it be suffered.

4. _Viola tricolor flore duplici._ Double Harts ease.

We haue in our Gardens another sort, that beareth flowers with more leaues then the former, making it seeme to be twice double, and that onely in Autumne; for the first flowers are single that come in Summer: This is of that sort that beareth purple flowers: And it is to be obserued, that the seed of this kinde will not all bring double flowers, but only some, if the ground be fit and liking, so that if you haue once had of this double kinde, you shall seldome misse to haue double flowers againe euery yeare of it owne growing or sowing.

5. _Viola flammea lutea maxima._ The great yellow Pansie.

There is one other kinde of Harts ease, that decketh vp our Gardens not to be forgotten, whose leaues and flowers are like the former, but more plentifull in stalkes and branches, and better abideth our Winters; the flowers are larger then any of the former, of a faire pale yellow colour, with some yellower stripes now and then about the middle; for it is sometimes without any stripes; and also of a little deeper yellow colour: this is to bee encreased by slips, which will soone comprehend in a moist or moistened ground, for that I neuer could obserue that it bore seede.

The Place.

These plants were first wilde, and by manuring brought to be
both fairer in colour, and peraduenture of a better sent then
when they grew wilde.

The Time.

The Violets flower in March, and sometimes earlier, and if the
yeare be temperate and milde, in Autumne againe. The double
Violets, as they are later before they flower then the single,
so they hold their flowers longer. The Harts ease flowreth
seldome vntill May; but then some will abide to flower vntill
the end of Autumne almost, especially if the frosts be not
early.

The Names.

The Violet is called _Viola nigra_, _purpurea_, and _Martia_:
In English, Violets, March Violets, and purple Violets. The
Harts ease is called _Viola flammea_, _Viola tricolor_, _Viola
multicolor_, and of some, _Iacea_, _Flos trinitatis_, and
_Herba clauellata_: In English, Harts ease, and Pansies, of
the French name Pensees. Some giue it foolish names, as Loue
in idlenesse, Call mee to you, and Three faces in a hood. The
great yellow Harts ease is so called, because it is like in
forme, and is the greatest of all other, although it haue not
that diuersity of colours in it that the other haue.

The Vertues.

The properties of Violets are sufficiently knowne to all, to
coole and moisten: I shall forbeare to recite the many vertues
that may be set downe, and onely let you knowe, that they haue
in them an opening or purging quality, being taken either fresh
and greene, or dryed, and made into powder, especially the
flowers; the dryed leaues will doe the like, but in greater
quantity. Costæus in his booke of the nature of all plants
saith, that the distilled water of Harts ease, is commended
in the French disease, to be profitable, being taken for nine
dayes or more, and sweating vpon it, which how true it is, I
know not, and wish some better experience were made of it,
before we put any great confidence in that assertion.

CHAP. LIII.

_Epimedium._ Barrenwort.