Chapter XX: Front Matter (20)

This mountaine yellow Daisie or Globe-flower hath many thicke, smooth, round pointed leaues, spread vpon the ground like the former; among which spring diuers small round rushie stalkes, a foote high, bearing about the middle of them two small leaues at the ioynts, and at the toppes round heads of flowers thrust thicke together, standing in purplish huskes, euery of which flowers do blow or spread into fiue leaues, starre-fashion, and of a faire yellow colour, smelling like vnto broome flowers, with many small threads in the middle compassing a flat pointell, horned or bended two wayes: after the flowers are past rise vp the seede vessels, which are round, swelling out in the middle, and diuided into foure parts at the toppes, containing within them round, flat, blacke seede, with a small cut or notch in them: the roote is a finger long, round and hard, with a thicke barke, and a woddy pith in the middle, of a sharpe drying taste and strong sent: the leaues are also sharpe, but bitter.

The Place.

The small Daisies are all planted, and found onely in Gardens,
and will require to be replanted often, lest they degenerate
into single flowers, & at least into lesse double. The
blew Daisie is naturall of Mompelier in France, and on the
mountaines in many places of Italy, as also the yellow kinde in
the Kingdome of Naples.

The Time.

The Daisies flower betimes in the Spring, and last vntill May,
but the last two flower not vntill August or September.

The Names.

They are vsually called in Latine _Bellides_, and in English
Daisies. Some call them _Herba Margarita_, and _Primula veris_,
as it is likely after the Italian names, of _Marguerite_,
and _Flor di prima vera gentile_. The French call them
_Pasquettes_, and _Marguerites_, and the Fruitfull sort,
or those that beare small flowers about the middle one,
_Margueritons_: our English women call them Iacke an Apes on
horse-backe, as they doe Marigolds before recited, or childing
Daisies: but the Physitians and Apothecaries doe in generall
call them, especially the single or Field kindes, _Consolida
minor_. The blew Daisie is called _Bellis cærulea_, and
_Globularia_, of some _Scabiosæ pumilum genus_. The Italians
call it _Botanaria_, because the heads are found like buttons.
The yellow, _Globularia montana_, is onely described by Fabius
Columna, in his last part of _Phytobasanos_, and by him
referred vnto the former _Globularia_, although it differ in
some notable points from it.

The Vertues.

The properties of Daisies are certainly to binde, and the roote
especially being dryed, they are vsed in medicines to that
purpose. They are also of speciall account among those herbes,
that are vsed for wounds in the head.

CHAP. LXXIII.

_Scabiosa._ Scabious.

The sorts of Scabious being many, yeeld not flowers of beauty or respect, fit to bee cherished in this our Garden of delight; and therefore I leaue them to the Fields and Woods, there to abide. I haue onely two or three strangers to bring to your acquaintance, which are worthy this place.

1. _Scabiosa flore albo._ White flowred Scabious.

This white Scabious hath many long leaues, very much iagged or gasht in on both sides, of a meane bignesse, being neither so large as many of the field, nor so small as any of the small kindes: the stalkes rise about a foote and a halfe high, or somewhat higher, at the tops whereof grow round heads, thicke set with flowers, like in all points vnto the field Scabious, but of a milke white colour.

2. _Scabiosa rubra Austriaca._ Red Scabious of Austria.

This red Scabious hath many leaues lying vpon the ground, very like vnto Deuils bit, but not so large, being shorter and snipt, not gashed about the edges, of a light greene colour; yet (there is another of a darker greene colour, whose flower is of a deeper red) the stalkes haue diuers such leaues on them, set by couples at the ioynts as grow belowe, and at the tops small heads of flowers, each consisting of fiue leaues, the biggest flowers standing round about in the outer compasse, as is vsuall almost in all the kinds of Scabious, of a fine light purple or red colour: after the flowers are past, come the seede, which is somewhat long and round, set with certaine haires at the head thereof, like vnto a Starre: the roote is composed of a number of slender strings, fastened at the head.

3. _Scabiosa rubra Indica._ Red flowred Indian Scabious.

This (reputed Indian) Scabious hath many large faire greene leaues lying on the ground, iagged or cut in on both sides to the middle ribbe, euery peece whereof is narrower then that at the end, which is the broadest: among these leaues rise vp sundry slender and weake stalkes, yet standing vpright for the most part, set with smaller and more iagged leaues at certaine distances, two or three at euery ioynt, branching forth at the toppe into other smaller branches, bearing euery one head of flowers, like in forme vnto other Scabiouses, but of an excellent deepe red crimson colour (and sometimes more pale or delayed) of no sent at all; after which doe come small roundish seede, like vnto the field Scabious: the roote is long and round, compassed with a great many small strings, and perisheth vsually as soone as it hath borne out his flowers and seede: otherwise if it doe not flower the first yeare of the sowing, if it be carefully defended from the extremity of Winter, it will flower the sooner the next yeare, as I my selfe haue often found by experience.

The Place.

The first is sometimes found wilde in our owne Countrey, but it
is very geason, and hath been sent among other rare seedes from
Italy.

The second was first found and written of by Clusius, in
Pannonia and Austria, where it is very plentifull.

The third hath been sent both from Spaine & Italy, and is
verily thought to grow naturally in both those parts.

1 _Scabiosa flore albo._ White flowred Scabious.
2 _Scabiosa rubra Austriaca._ Red Scabious of Austria.
3 _Scabiosa rubra Indica._ Red flowred Indian Scabious.
4 _Cyanus vulgaris minor._ Corn-flower of diuers colours.
5 _Cyanus Bæticus._ Spanish Corn-flower.
6 _Cyanus floridus Turcicus._ The braue Sultans flower.
7 _Carthamus sativus._ Spanish Saffron.
]

The Time.

The first and second flower earlier then the last, for that it
flowreth not vntill September or October, (vnlesse it be not
apt to beare the first yeare as I before said) so that many
times (if none be more forward) it perisheth without bearing
ripe seede, whereby we are oftentimes to seeke new seede from
our friends in other parts.

The Names.

They haue all one generall name of Scabious, distinguished
eyther by their flower, or place of growing, as in their
titles: yet the last is called of diuers _Scabiosa exotica_,
because they thinke the name _Indica_, is not truely imposed
vpon it.

The Vertues.

Whether these kindes haue any of the vertues of the other wilde
kinds, I know none haue made any experience, and therefore I
can say no more of them.

CHAP. LXXIIII.

_Cyanus._ Corne flower, or blew Bottles.

Vnder the name of _Cyanus_ are comprehended, not onely those plants which from the excellent blew colour of their flowers (furnishing or rather pestering the Corne fieldes) haue peculiarly obtained that name, and which doth much vary also, in the colour of the flowers, as shall be shewed; but some other plants also for their neere resemblance, but with seuerall distinctions. The _Cyanus maior_, _Ptarmica Austriaca_, _Ptarmica Imperati_, and many others which may be adioyned vnto them, do more fitly belong to the Garden of Simples, whereunto I leaue them, and will here only entreate of those that may most please the delight of our Gentle Florists, in that I labour and striue, to furnish this our garden, with the chiefest choyse of natures beauties and delights.

1. _Cyanus vulgaris diuersorum colorum._ Corne flower of diuers colours.

All these sorts of Corne flowers are for the most part alike, both in leaues and flowers one vnto another for the forme: the difference betweene them consisteth in the varying colour of the flowers: For the leaues are long, and of a whitish greene colour, deeply cut in on the edges in some places, somewhat like vnto the leaues of a Scabious: the stalkes are two foote high or better, beset with such like leaues but smaller, and little or nothing cut in on the edges: the toppes are branched, bearing many small greene scaly heads, out of which rise flowers, consisting of fiue or sixe, or more long and hollow leaues, small at the bottome, and opening wider and greater at the brims, notched or cut in on the edges, and standing round about many small threds in the middle: the colours of these flowers are diuers, and very variable; for some are wholly blew, or white, or blush, or of a sad, or light purple, or of a light or dead red, or of an ouerworne purple colour, or else mixed of these colours, as some, the edges white, and the rest blew or purple, or the edges blew or purple, and the rest of the flower white, or striped, spotted, or halfed, the one part of one colour, and the other of another, the threds likewise in the middle varying in many of them; for some will haue the middle thrume of a deeper purple then the outer leaues, and some haue white or blush leaues, the middle thrume being reddish, deeper or paler. After the flowers are past, there come small, hard, white and shining seede in those heads, wrapped or set among a deale of flockie matter, as is most vsuall, in all plants that beare scaly heads: the rootes are long and hard, perishing euery yeare when it hath giuen seede.

2. _Cyanus floridus Turcicus._ The Sultans flower.

As a kinde of these Corne flowers, I must needes adioyne another stranger, of much beautie, and but lately obtained from Constantinople, where, because (as it is said) the great Turke, as we call him, saw it abroade, liked it, and wore it himselfe; all his vassals haue had it in great regard, and hath been obtained from them, by some that haue sent it into these parts. The leaues whereof are greener, and not only gashed, but finely snipt on the edges: the stalkes are three foote high, garnished with the like leaues as are below, and branched as the former, bearing large scaly heads, and such like flowers but larger, hauing eight or nine of those hollow gaping leaues in euery flower, standing about the middle threds (if it be planted in good and fertile ground and be well watered, for it soone starueth and perisheth with drought) the circling leaues are of a fine delayed purple or blush colour, very beautifull to behold; the seede of this is smaller and blacker, and not enclosed in so much dounie substance, as the former (yet in our Countrey the seede is not so blacke, as it came vnto vs, but more gray) the roote perisheth likewise euery yeere.

3. _Cyanus Bæticus supinus._ The Spanish Corne-flower.

This Spanish kinde hath many square low bending or creeping stalkes, not standing so vpright as the former, but branching out more diuersly; so that one plant will take vp a great deale of ground: the leaues are broader then any of the rest, softer also, of a pale or whitish greene colour, and not much gashed on the edges: the flowers stand in bigger heads, with foure or fiue leaues vnder euery head, and are of a light pale purple or blush colour; after which come seede, but not so plentifully, yet wrapped in a great deale of flockie matter, more then any: the roote groweth downe deepe into the ground, but perisheth euery yeare as they doe.

The Place.

The first or former kindes, grow many times in the Corne fields
of our own Countrey, as well as of others, especially that sort
with a blew flower: but the other sorts or colours are not so
frequent, but are nourished in gardens, where they will vary
wonderfully.

The second as is before set downe, groweth in Turkie: and
the last in Spaine, found out and first sent to vs by that
industrious searcher of simples, Guillaume Boel before
remembred.

The Time.

The first doe flower in the end of Iune, and in Iuly, and
sometimes sooner. The other two later, and not vntill August
most commonly, and the seede is soone ripe after.

The Names.

The first is generally called _Cyanus_, and some following
the Ditch name, call it _Flos frumenti_. The olde Writers
gaue it the name of _Bapti sæcuba_, which is almost worne
out. We doe call them in English, Blew Bottles, and in some
places, Corne flowers, after the Ditch names. The second hath
beene sent by the name of _Ambreboi_, which whether it be a
Turkie or Arabian name, I know not. I haue called it from the
place, from whence we had it, _Turcicus_, and for his beauty,
_Floridus_. The Turkes themselues as I vnderstand, doe call it
The Sultans flower, and I haue done so likewise, that it may
bee distinguished from all the other kindes, or else you may
call it, The Turkey blush Corne flower, which you please. The
last was sent by the name of _Iacea Bætica_, but I had rather
to referre it to the _Cyanus_, or Corne flowers, because the
flowers are like vnto the Corne flowers, and not vnto the
Iaceas or Knapweedes.

The Vertues.

These had no vse in Physicke in Galen and Dioscorides time, in
that (as it is thought) they haue made no mention of them: We
in these dayes doe chiefly vse the first kindes (as also the
greater sort) as a cooling Cordiall, and commended by some to
be a remedy, not onely against the plague and pestilentiall
diseases, but against the poison of Scorpions and Spiders.

CHAP. LXXV.

_Iacea Marina Bætica._ Spanish Sea Knapweede.

There are a great many sorts of Knapweedes, yet none of them all fit for this our Garden, but this only stranger, which I haue beene bold to thrust in here, for that it hath such like gaping or open flowers, as the former Corne flowers haue, but notably differing, and therefore deserueth a peculiar Chapter, as partaking both with _Cyanus_ and _Iacea_. It hath many long and narrow leaues vneuenly dented or waued on both edges (and not notched, gashed or indented, as many other herbes are) being thicke, fleshie and brittle, a little hairy, and of an ouerworne darke greene colour, among which rise lowe weake stalkes, with such like leaues as grow at the bottome, but smaller, bearing but here and there a flower, of a bright reddish purple colour, like in forme vnto the Corne flowers, but much larger, with many threds or thrumes in the middle of the same colour, standing vp higher then any of the former: this flower riseth out of a large scaly head, all set ouer with small sharpe (but harmelesse) white prickles: the seedes are blackish, like vnto the Knapweedes, and larger then any of the former Corne flowers: the roote is great and thicke, growing deepe into the ground, fleshie and full of a slimie or clammy iuice, and easie to bee broken, blackish on the outside, and whitish within, enduring many yeares, like as the other Knapweedes, or Matfelons doe, growing in time to be very thicke and great.

The Place.

It groweth naturally by the Sea side in Spaine, from whence I
receiued the seedes of Guillaume Boel, and did abide well in my
garden a long time, but is now perished.

The Time.

It flowreth in the beginning of Iuly, or thereabouts, and
continueth not long in flower: but the head abideth a great
while, and is of some beauty after the flower is past; yet
seldome giueth good seed with vs.

The Names.

It hath no other name then is set down in the title, being
altogether a Nouelist, and not now to be seene with any sauing
my selfe.

The Vertues.

We haue not yet known any use hereof in Physick.

CHAP. LXXVI.

_Cnicus siue Carthamus sativus._ Bastard or Spanish Saffron.

There are two or three sorts of _Cnicus_ or bastard Saffrons which I passe ouer, as not fit for this Garden, and onely set downe this kinde, whose flowers are of a fairer and more liuely colour in our Country, then any hath come ouer from Spaine, where they manure it for the profit they make thereof, seruing for the dying of Silke especially, and transporting great quantities to diuers Countries. It hath large broad leaues, without any prickes at all vpon them in our Country, growing vpon the stalke, which is strong, hard, and round, with shorter leaues thereon vp to the toppe, where they are a little sharpe pointed, and prickly about the edges sometimes, which stalke riseth three or foure foote high, and brancheth it selfe toward the toppe, bearing at the end of euery branch one great open scaly head, out of which thrusteth out many gold yellow threads, of a most orient shining colour, which being gathered in a dry time, and kept dry, will abide in the same delicate colour that it bare when it was fresh, for a very long time after: when the flowers are past, the seede when it is come to maturity, which is very seldome with vs, is white and hard, somewhat long, round, and a little cornered: the roote is long, great, and wooddy, and perisheth quickly with the first frosts.

The Place.

It groweth in Spaine, and other hot Countries, but not wilde,
for that it is accounted of the old Writers, Theophrastus and
Dioscorides, to be a manured plant.

The Time.

It flowreth with vs not vntill August, or September sometimes,
so that it hardly giueth ripe seede (as I said) neither is
it of that force to purge, which groweth in these colder
Countries, as that which commeth from Spaine, and other places.

The Names.

The name _Cnicus_ is deriued from the Greekes, and _Carthamus_
from the Arabians, yet still _sativus_ is added vnto it, to
shew it is no wilde, but a manured plant, and sowne euery where
that wee know. Of some it is called _Crocus hortensis_, and
_Sarasenicus_,from the Italians which so call it. We call it in
English Bastard Saffron, Spanish Saffron, and Catalonia Saffron.

The Vertues.

The flowers are vsed in colouring meates, where it groweth
beyond Sea, and also for the dying of Silkes: the kernels of
the seede are onely vsed in Physicke with vs, and serueth well
to purge flegmaticke humours.

CHAP. LXXVII.

_Carduus._ Thistles.

You may somewhat maruaile, to see mee curious to plant Thistles in my Garden, when as you might well say, they are rather plagues then pleasures, and more trouble to weede them out, then to cherish them vp, if I made therein no distinction or choise; but when you haue viewed them well which I bring in, I will then abide your censure, if they be not worthy of some place, although it be but a corner of the Garden, where something must needes be to fill vp roome. Some of them are smooth, and without prickes at all, some at the heads onely, and some all ouer; but yet not without some especiall note or marke worthy of respect: Out of this discourse I leaue the Artichoke, with all his kindes, and reserue them for our Kitchin Garden, because (as all know) they are for the pleasure of the taste, and not of the smell or sight.

1. _Acanthus sativus._ Garden Beares breech.

The leaues of this kinde of smooth thistle (as it is accounted) are almost as large as the leaues of the Artichoke, but not so sharp pointed, very deeply cut in and gashed on both edges, of a sad green & shining colour on the vpperside, and of a yellowish green vnderneath, with a great thicke rib in the middle, which spread themselues about the root, taking vp a great deale of ground. After this plant hath stood long in one place, and well defended from the iniury of the cold, it sendeth forth from among the leaues one or more great and strong stalkes, three or foure foote high, without any branch at all, bearing from the middle to the top many flowers one aboue another, spike-fashion round about the stalke, with smaller but not diuided greene leaues at euery flower, which is white, and fashioned somewhat like vnto a gaping mouth; after which come broad, flat, thicke, round, brownish yellow seede (as I haue well obserued by them haue beene sent me out of Spaine, and which haue sprung vp, and doe grow with me; for in our Countrey I could neuer obserue any seede to haue growne ripe) the rootes are composed of many great and thicke long strings, which spread farre in and vnder the ground, somewhat darkish on the outside, and whitish within, full of a clammy moisture (whereby it sheweth to haue much life) and doe endure our Winters, if they be not too much exposed to the sharpe violence thereof, which then it will not endure, as I haue often found by experience.

2. _Acanthus siluestris._ Wilde or prickly Beares breech.

This prickly Thistle hath diuers long greenish leaues lying on the ground, much narrower then the former, but cut in on both sides, thicke set with many white prickes and thornes on the edges: the stalke riseth not vp so high, bearing diuers such like thornie leaues on them, with such a like head of flowers on it as the former hath: but the seede hereof (as it hath come to vs from Italy and other places, for I neuer saw it beare seed here in this Country) is blacke and round, of the bignesse of a small pease: the roote abideth reasonable well, if it be defended somewhat from the extremity of our Winters, or else it will perish.

3. _Eryngium Pannonicum siue Montanum._ Hungary Sea Holly.

The lower leaues of this Thistle that lye on the ground, are somewhat large, round, and broad, hard in handling, and a little snipt about the edges, euery one standing vpon a long foote-stalke: but those that growe vpon the stalke, which is stiffe, two or three foote high, haue no foote-stalke, but encompasse it, two being set at euery ioynt, the toppe whereof is diuided into diuers branches, bearing small round rough heads, with smaller and more prickly leaues vnder them, and more cut in on the sides then those belowe: out of these heads rise many blew flowers, the foote-stalkes of the flowers, together with the toppes of the branches, are likewise blew and transparent, or shining.

[Sidenote: _Flore albo._]

We haue another of this kinde, the whole toppes of the stalkes with the heads and branches, are more white then blew: the seede contained in these heads are white, flat, and as it were chaffie: the roote is great and whitish, spreading farre into many branches, and somewhat sweete in taste, like the ordinary Sea Holly rootes.

1 _Acanthus sativus._ Garden Beares breech.
2 _Acanthus siluetris._ Wilde Beares breech.
3 _Eryngium Pannonicum._ Mountaine Sea Holly.
4 _Carlina humilis._ The lowe Carline Thistle.
5 _Carduus sphærocephalus maior._ The greater Globe-Thistle.
6 _Carduus sphærocephalus minor._ The lesser Globe-Thistle.
7 _Carduus Eriocephalus._ The Friers crowne.
8 _Fraxinella._ Bastard Dittanie.
]

4. _Carduus mollis._ The gentle Thistle.

The leaues of this soft and gentle Thistle that are next vnto the ground, are greene on the vpperside, and hoary vnderneath, broad at the bottome, somewhat long pointed, and vneuenly notched about the edges, with some soft hairie prickles, not hurting the handler, euery one standing vpon a short foote-stalke; those that growe about the middle stalke are like the former, but smaller and narrower, and those next the toppe smallest, where it diuideth it selfe into small branches, bearing long and scaly heads, out of which breake many reddish purple threads: the seede is whitish and hard, almost as great as the seede of the greater Centory: the roote is blackish, spreading vnder the ground, with many small fibres fastened vnto it, and abideth a great while.

5. _Carlina humilis._ The lowe Carline Thistle.

This lowe Thistle hath many iagged leaues, of a whitish greene Colour, armed with small sharp white prickles round about the edges, lying round about the root vpon the ground, in the middle whereof riseth vp a large head, without any stalke vnder it, compassed about with many small and long prickly leaues, from among which the flower sheweth it selfe, composed of many thin, long, whitish, hard shining leaues, standing about the middle, which is flat and yellow, made of many thrums or threads like small flowers, wherein lye small long seede, of a whitish or siluer colour: the roote is somewhat aromaticall, blackish on the outside, small and long, growing downewards into the ground. There is another of this kinde that beareth a higher stalke, and a redder flower, but there is a manifest difference betweene them.

6. _Carduus Sphærocephalus siue Globosus maior._ The greater Globe Thistle.

The greatest of these beautifull Thistles, hath at the first many large and long leaues lying on the ground, very much cut in and diuided in many places, euen to the middle ribbe, set with small sharpe (but not very strong) thornes or prickles at euery corner of the edges, greene on the vpperside, and whitish vnderneath: from the middle of these leaues riseth vp a round stiffe stalke, three foote and a halfe high, or more, set without order with such like leaues, bearing at the toppe of euery branch a round hard great head, consisting of a number of sharpe bearded huskes, compact or set close together, of a blewish greene colour, out of euery one of which huskes start small whitish blew flowers, with white threads in the middle of them, and rising aboue them, so that the heads when they are in full flower, make a fine shew, much delighting the spectators: after the flowers are past, the seede encreaseth in euery one, or the most part of the bearded huskes, which doe still hold their round forme, yntill that being ripe it openeth it selfe, and the huskes easily fall away one from another, containing within them a long whitish kernell: the roote is great and long, blackish on the outside, and dyeth euery yeare when it hath borne seede.

7. _Carduus Globosus minor._ The lesser Globe Thistle.

The lesser kinde hath long narrow leaues, whiter then the former, but cut in and gashed on the edges very much with some small prickes on them; the stalke is not halfe so long, nor the heads halfe so great, but as round, and with as blew flowers as the greater: this seldome giueth ripe seede, but recompenseth that fault, in that the roote perisheth not as the former, but abideth many yeares.

8. _Carduus Eriocephalus siue Tomentosus._ The Friers Crowne.

This woolly Thistle hath many large and long leaues lying on the ground, cut in on both sides into many diuisions, which are likewise somewhat vnequally cut in or diuided againe, hauing sharpe white prickles at euery corner of the diuisions, of a dead or sad greene colour on the vpperside, and somewhat woolly withall, and grayish vnderneath: the stalke is strong and tall, foure or fiue foote high at the least, branching out into diuers parts, euery where beset with such like leaues as growe below; at the toppe of euery branch there breaketh out a great whitish round prickly head, flattish at the toppe, so thicke set with wooll, that the prickles seeme but small spots or haires, and doth so well resemble the bald crowne of a Frier, not onely before it be in flower, but especially after it hath done flowring, that thereupon it deseruedly receiued the name of the Friers Crowne Thistle: out of these heads riseth forth a purple thrumme, such as is to be seene in many other wilde Thistles, which when they are ripe, are full of a flockie or woolly substance, which breake at the toppe shedding it, and the seede which is blackish, flat, and smooth: the roote is great and thicke, enduring for some yeares, yet sometimes perishing, if it be too much exposed to the violence of the frosts in Winter.

The Place.

The first groweth naturally in Spaine, Italy, and France, and
in many other hot Countries, and growe onely in Gardens in
these colder climates, and there cherished for the beautifull
aspect both of the greene plants, and of the stalkes when they
are in flower. The Carline Thistle is found both in Germany and
Italy in many places, and as it is reported, in some places of
the West parts in England. The others are found some in France,
some in Hungary, and on the Alpes, and the last in Spaine.

The Time.

They doe all flower in the Summer moneths, some a little
earlier or later then others.

The Names.

The first is called _Acanthus sativus_ (because the other that
is prickly, is called _siluestris_ or _spinosus_) and _Branea
vrsina_; In English, Branck vrsine, and Beares breech. The
third is called _Eryngium montanum_, _Alpinum_, and _Pannonicum
latifolium_: In English, Mountaine or Hungary Sea Holly.
The fourth is called _Carduus mollis_, The gentle Thistle,
because it hath no harmfull prickles, although it seeme at
the first shew to be a Thistle. The fifth is called of diuers
_Chamæleo albus_, and _Carlina_, as if they were both but one
plant; but Fabius Columna hath in my iudgement very learnedly
descided that controuersie, making _Carlina_ to be _Ixine_
of Theophrastus, and _Chamæleo_ another differing Thistle,
which Gaza translateth _Vernilago_. We call it in English, The
Carline Thistle. The other haue their names in their titles, as
much as is conuenient for this discourse.

The Vertues.

The first hath alwaies been vsed Physically, as a mollifying
herbe among others of the like slimie matter in Glisters, to
open the body; yet Lobel seemeth to make no difference in the
vse of them both (that is, the prickly as well as the smooth.)
The Carline Thistle is thought to bee good against poysons and
infection. The rest are not vsed by any that I know.

CHAP. LXXVIII.

_Fraxinella._ Bastard Dittany.

Hauing finished those pleasing Thistles, I come to other plants of more gentle handling, and first bring to your consideration this bastard Dittany, whereof there are found out two especiall kindes, the one with a reddish, the other with a whitish flower, and each of these hath his diuersity, as shall be presently declared.

1. _Fraxinella flore rubente._ Bastard Dittany with a reddish flower.

This goodly plant riseth vp with diuers round, hard brownish stalkes, neare two foote high, the lower parts whereof are furnished with many winged leaues, somewhat like vnto Liquerice, or a small young Ashe tree, consisting of seuen, nine, or eleuen leaues set together, which are somewhat large and long, hard and rough in handling, of a darkish greene colour, and of an vnpleasant strong resinous sent: the vpper parts of the stalkes are furnished with many flowers, growing spike fashion, at certaine distances one aboue another, consisting of fiue long leaues a peece, whereof foure that stand on the two sides, are somewhat bending vpwards, and the fift hanging downe, but turning vp the end of the leafe a little againe, of a faint or pale red colour, striped through euery leafe with a deeper red colour, and hauing in the middle a tassell of fiue or six long purplish threds, that bowe downe with the lower leafe, and turne vp also the ends againe, with a little freese or thrume at the ends of euery one: after the flowers are past, arise hard, stiffe, rough, clammy huskes, horned or pointed at the end, foure or fiue standing together, somewhat like the seede vessels of the Wolfes-banes, or Colombines, but greater, thicker and harder, wherein is contained round shining blacke seede, greater then any Colombine seede by much, and smaller then Peony seede: the roote is white, large, and spreading many wayes vnder ground, if it stand long: the whole plant, as well roots as leaues and flowers, are of a strong sent, not so pleasing for the smell, as the flowers are beautifull to the sight.

2. _Fraxinella flore rubro._ Bastard Dittaine with a red flower.

This differeth not from the former eyther in roote, leafe or flower for the forme but that the stalkes and leaues are of a darker greene colour, and that the flowers are of a deeper red colour, (and growing in a little longer spike), wherein the difference chiefly consisteth, which is sufficient to distinguish them.

3. _Fraxinella flore albo._ Bastard Dittanie with a white flower.

The white flowred _Fraxinella_ hath his leaues and stalkes of a fresher greene colour then any of the former; and the flowers are of a pure white colour, in forme differing nothing at all from the other.

4. _Fraxinella flore albo cæruleo._ Bastard Dittanie with an ash coloured flower.

The colour of the flower of this _Fraxinella_ onely putteth the difference betweene this, and the last recited with a white flower: for this beareth a very pale, or whitish blew flower, tending to an ash colour.

The Place.

All these kindes are found growing naturally, in many places
both of Germany, and Italie: and that with the white flower,
about Franckford, which being sent me, perished by the way by
long and euill carriage.

The Time.

They flower in Iune and Iuly, and the seede is ripe in August.

The Names.

The name _Fraxinella_ is most generally imposed on those
plants, because of the resemblance of them vnto young Ashes, in
their winged leaues. Yet some doe call them _Dictamus albus_,
or _Dictamnus albus_, and _Diptamus albus_, as a difference
from the _Dictamnus Creticus_, which is a farre differing
plant. Some would haue it to be _Tragium_ of Dioscorides, but
beside other things wheaten this differeth from _Tragium_, this
yeeldeth no milkie iuice, as Dioscorides saith _Tragium_ doth:
We in English doe eyther call it _Fraxinella_, or after the
other corrupted name of _Dictamus_, Bastard Dittanie.

The Vertues.

It is held to be profitable against the stingings of Serpents,
against contagious and pestilent diseases, to bring downe the
feminine courses, for the paines of the belly and the stone,
and in Epilepticall diseases, and other cold paines of the
braines: the roote is the most effectual for all these, yet the
seede is sometimes vsed.

CHAP. LXXIX.

_Legumina._ Pulse.

If I should describe vnto you all the kindes of Pulse, I should vnfold a little world of varieties therein, more knowne and found out in these dayes, then at any time before, but that must bee a part of a greater worke, which will abide a longer time before it see the light. I shall only select those that are fit for this garden, and set them downe for your consideration. All sorts of Pulse may be reduced vnder two generall heads, that is, of Beanes and Pease, of each whereof there is both tame and wilde: Of Beanes, besides the tame or vsuall garden Beane, and the French or Kidney Beane, (whereof I meane to entreate in my Kitchen garden, as pertinent thereto) there is the Lupine or flat Beane, whereof I meane to entreate here, and the blacke Beane and others which must bee reserued for the Physicke Garden. And of the kindes of Pease some are fit for this Garden; (whereunto I will adioyne two or three other plants as neerest of affinitie, the flowers of some, and the fruit of others being delightfull to many, and therefore fit for this garden) some for the Kitchen, the rest for the Physicke garden. And first of Lupines or flat Beanes, accepted as delightfull to many, and therefore fit for this garden.

1. _Lupinus sativus albus._ The white garden Lupine.

The garden Lupine riseth vp with a great round stalke, hollow and somewhat woolly, with diuers branches, whereon grow vpon long footestalkes many broade leaues, diuided into seuen or nine parts, or smaller leaues, equally standing round about, as it were in a circle, of a whitish greene colour on the vpperside, and more woolly vnderneath: the flowers stand many together at seuerall ioynts, both of the greater stalke, and the branches, like vnto beanes, and of a white colour in some places, and in others of a very bleake blew tending to white: after the flowers are past, there come in their places, long, broade, and flat rough cods, wherein are contained round and flat seede, yellowish on the inside, and couered with a tough white skin, and very bitter in taste: the rootes are not very great, but full of small fibres, whereby it fasteneth it selfe strongly in the ground, yet perisheth euery yeare, as all the rest of these kindes doe.

2. _Lupinus cæruleus maximus._ The greater blew Lupine.

The Stemme or stalke of this Lupine is greater then the last before recited, as also the leaues more soft and woolly, and the flowers are of a most perfect blew colour, with some white spots in the middle: the long rough greenish cods are very great and large, wherein are contained hard, flat and round seede, not so white on the outside as the former, but somewhat yellower, greater also, and more rough or hard in handling.

3. _Lupinus cæruleus minor._ The lesser blew Lupine.

This kinde of wilde Lupine differeth not in the forme of leafe or flower from the former, but only that it is much smaller, the leaues are greener, and haue fewer diuisions in them: the flower is of as deepe a blew colour as the last; the cods likewise are small and long, containing small round seede, not so flat as the former, but more discoloured or spotted on the outside, then the greater kinde is.

[Sidenote: _Minimus._]

There is a lesser kind then this, not differing in any thing from this, but that it is lesser.

4. _Lupinus flore luteo._ The yellow Lupine.

The yellow Lupine groweth not vsually so high, but with larger leaues then the small blew Lupine; the flowers grow in two or three rundles or tufts, round about the stalke and the branches at the ioynts, of a delicate fine yellow colour, like in fashion vnto the other kindes, being larger then the last, but nothing so large as the greater kindes, and of a fine small sent: the seede is round, and not very flat, but much about the forme and bignesse of the small blew, or somewhat bigger, of a whitish colour on the outside, spotted with many spots.

The Place.

The first groweth in many places of Greece, and the Easterne
Countries beyond it, where it hath beene anciently cherished
for their foode, being often watered to take away the
bitternesse. It groweth also in these Western parts, but still
where it is planted. The great blew Lupine is thought to come
from beyond the parts of Persia, in Caramania. The lesser blew
is found very plentifully wilde, in many places both of Spaine
and Italy. The last hath beene brought vs likewise out of
Spaine, whereas it is thought it groweth naturally. They all
grow now in the gardens of those, that are curious louers of
these delights.

The Time.

They flower in Summer, and their seede is ripe quickly after.

The Names.

They are generally called _Lupini_. Plautus in his time saith,
they were vsed in Comedies in stead of money, when in any Scene
thereof there was any shew of payment, and therefore he calleth
them _Aurum Comicum_. And Horace hath this Verse,

_Nec tamen ignorant, quid distent æra Lupinis_,

to shew that counterfeit money (such as counters are with vs,
or as these Lupines were vsed in those times) was easily knowne
from true and currant coine. In English wee vsually call them
after the Latine name, Lupines; and some after the Dutch name,
Figge-beanes, because they are flat and round as a Figge that
is pressed; and some Flat-beanes for the same reason. Some haue
called the yellow Lupine, Spanish Violets: but other foolish
names haue beene giuen it, as Virginia Roses, and the like,
by knauish Gardiners and others, to deceiue men, and make
them beleeue they were the finders out, or great preseruers
of rarities, of no other purpose, but to cheate men of their
money: as you would therefore auoyde knaues and deceiuers,
beware of these manner of people, whereof the skirts of our
towne are too pitifully pestered.

The Vertues.

The first or ordinary Lupine doth scoure and cleanse the skin
from spots, morphew, blew markes, and other discolourings
thereof, beeing vsed eyther in a decoction or pouther. Wee
seldome vse it in inward medicines, not that it is dangerous,
but of neglect, for formerly it hath beene much vsed for the
wormes, &c.

1 _Lupinus maior._ The great Lupine.
2 _Lupinus luteus._ The yellow Lupine.
3 _Lathyrus latifolius seu Pisum perenne._ Pease euerlasting.
4 _Pisum quadratum._ The crimson blossomd or square Pease.
5 _Medica cochleata vulgaris._ Snailes or Barbary buttons.
6 _Medica spinosa._ Prickly Snailes.
7 _Medica spinosa altera._ Another sort of prickly Snailes.
8 _Medica folliculo lata._ Broad buttons or Snailes.
9 _Medica lunata._ Halfe Moons.
10 _Hedysarum clypeatum._ The red Sattin flower or French
Honeysuckle.
11 _Scorpioides minus._ The lesser Caterpillar.
12 _Scorpioides maius._ The greater Caterpillar.
13 _Orobus Venetus._ Blew vpright Pease euerlasting.
]

1. _Lathyrus latifolius, siue Pisum perenne._ Pease euerlasting.

This kinde of wilde Pease that abideth long, and groweth euery yeare greater then other, springeth vp with many broade trayling branches, winged as it were on both the sides, diuersly diuided into other smaller branches, at the seuerall ioynts whereof stand two hard, not broad, but somewhat long greene leaues, and diuers twining claspers, in sundry places with the leaues, from betweene the branches and the leaues, at the ioynts towards the toppes, come forth diuers purplish pease like blossomes, standing on a long stemme or stalke, very beautifull to behold, and of a pretty sent or smell: after which come small, long, thin, flat, hard skind cods, containing small round blackish seede: the roote is great and thicke, growing downe deepe into the ground, of the thicknesse sometimes of a mans arme, blackish on the outside, and whitish within, with some branches and a few fibres annexed thereunto.

2. _Orobus Venetus._ Blew vpright euerlasting Pease.

This pretty kinde of Pease blossome beareth diuers slender, but vpright greene branches somewhat cornered, two foote high or thereabouts, hauing at seuerall distances on both sides of them certaine winged leaues, set together vpon long footestalkes one against another, consisting of six or eight leaues, somewhat broade and pointed, and without any odde one at the end: at the ioynts toward the toppes, between the leaues and the stalkes, come forth many flowers set together at the end of a pretty long footestalke, of the fashion of the former Pease blossome, but somewhat smaller, and of a purplish violet colour: after which come slender and long pointed pods rounder then they, wherein is contained small round grayish pease: the roote is blacke, hard or woody, abiding after seede bearing as the former doth, and shooting afresh euery yeare.

3. _Lathyrus annuus filiquis orobi._ Partie coloured Cichelings.

This small Pulse or wild Pease, hath two or three long slender winged branches, with smaller leaues thereon then the former, and without any claspers at all on them: the flowers stand single, euery one by it selfe, or two at the most together, the middle leaues whereof that close together are white, and the vpper leaues of a reddish purple colour: after which come long round flattish cods, bunched out in the seuerall places where the seedes lye, like vnto the cods of _Orobus_ or the bitter Vetch, but greater: the roote is small and dyeth euery yeare.

4. _Pisum quadratum._ The crimson blossomd or square codded Pease.

This pretty kinde of Pulse might very well for the forme of the leaues, be referred to the kindes of _Lotus_ or Trefoiles: but because I haue none of that kindred to entreate of in this Worke, I haue thought fittest to place it here before the Medica’s, because both pods and seedes are like also. It hath three or foure small weake stalkes, diuided into many branches, hauing two stalkes of leaues at euery ioynt, and three small soft leaues standing on a very small stalke, comming from the ioynts: the flowers stand for the most part two together, of a perfect red or crimson colour, like in forme almost vnto a Pease blossome; after which come long thicke and round cods, with two skinnes or filmes, running all along the cod at the backe or vpperside and two other such like filmes, all along the belly or vnder side, which make it seeme foure square, wherein there lye round discoloured Pease, somewhat smaller and harder then ordinary Pease: the roote is small and perisheth euery yeare.

5. _Medica Cochleata vulgaris._ Snailes or Barbary buttons.

The plant that beareth these pretty toyes for Gentlewomen, is somewhat like vnto a Three leafed grasse or Trefoile, hauing many long trayling branches lying vpon the ground, whereon at diuers places are three small greene leaues, set together at the end of a little footestalke, each of them a little snipt about the edges: at seuerall distances, from the middle of these branches to the ends of them, come forth the flowers, two for the most part standing together vpon a little footstalke, which are of a pale yellow colour, very small, and of the forme of a Pease blossome: after which come smooth heads, which are turned or writhen round, almost like a Snaile, hard and greene at the first, somewhat like a greene button (from the formes of both which came their names) but afterwards growing whiter, more soft and open, wherein lyeth yellowish round and flat seede, somewhat like vnto the Kidney beane: the roote is small and stringie, dying downe euery yeare, and must be new sowne in the spring, if you desire to haue it.

6. _Medica spinosa maior._ Prickly or thorny Snailes, or Buttons.

This kinde of _Medica_ is in all things very like vnto the former, both in the long trayling branches, & three leaues alwaies growing together, but a little greater pale yellow flowers, and crooked or winding heads: but herein chiefly consisteth the difference, that this kinde hath his heads or buttons harder, a little greater, more closed together, and set with short and somewhat hard prickles, all the head ouer, which being pulled open, haue those prickles standing on each side of the filme or skinne, whereof the head consisteth, somewhat like vnto a fish bone, and in this kinde goeth all one way; in which are contained such like seedes for the forme, as are in the former, but great and blacke, and shining withall.

7. _Medica spinosa altera._ Small thorney Buttons, or Snailes.

This other kinde is also like vnto the last described in all other things, except in the heads or buttons, which are a little smaller, but set with longer and softer prickes vpon the filmes, and may easily bee discerned to goe both forwards and backewards, one enterlacing within another, wherein are contained such like flat and blacke shining seede, made after the fashion of a kidney, as are in the former, but somewhat smaller: the roote perisheth in like manner euery yeare.

8. _Medica lata._ Broade Buttons.

This kinde differeth not from the first in leafe or flower, the fruite onely hereof is broade and flat, and not so much twined as it.

9. _Medica Lunata._ Halfe Moones.

This is also a kinde of these Medicke fodders, hauing a trefoyle leafe and yellow flowers like the former sorts, but both somewhat larger, the chiefest difference consisteth in the head or fruite, which is broade and flat, and not twined like the rest, but abideth halfe closed, resembling a halfe Moone (and thereupon hath assumed both the Latine and English name) wherein is contained flat seede, kidney fashion like the former.

10. _Hedysarum clypeatum._ The red Sattin flower.

This red flowred Fitchling, hath many stalkes of winged faire greene leaues, that is, of many set on both sides a middle ribbe, whereof that at the end is the greatest of the rest: from the ioynts where the leaues stand, come forth pretty long small stalkes, bearing on them very many flowers, vp to the toppe one aboue another, of an excellent shining red or crimson colour, very like vnto Sattin of that colour, and sometimes of a white colour, (as Master William Coys, a Gentleman of good respect in Essex, a great and ancient louer and cherisher of these delights, and of all other rare plants, in his life time assured me; he had growing in his garden at Stubbers by North Okenden) which are somewhat large, and more closed together, almost flat and not open, as in most of the other sorts: after the flowers are past, there come rough, flat, round huskes, somewhat like vnto the old fashioned round bucklers without pikes, three or foure standing one vpon or aboue another, wherein are contained small brownish seede: the roote perisheth the same yeare it beareth seede, for oftentimes it flowreth not the first yeare it is sowne.

11. _Scorpioides maius & minus._ Great and small Caterpillers.

Vnder one description I comprehend both these sorts of Scorpions grasse, or Caterpillers, or Wormes, as they are called by many, whereof the greater hath been known but of late yeares; and ioyne them to these pulses, not hauing a fitter place where to insert them. It is but a small low plant, with branches lying vpon the ground, and somewhat long, broad, and hard leaues thereon, among which come forth small stalkes, bearing at the end for the most part, two small pale yellowish flowers, like vnto Tares or Vetches, but smaller, which turne into writhed or crooked tough cods; in the greater sort they are much thicker, rounder and whiter, and lesser wound or turned together then in the smaller, which are slenderer, more winding, yet not closing like vnto the Snailes, and blacker more like vnto a Caterpiller then the other, wherein are contained brownish yellow seede, much like vnto a _Medica_: the rootes of both are small and fibrous, perishing euery yeare.

The Place.

These are found seuerally in diuers and seuerall places, but
wee sow and plant them vsually to furnish our Gardens.

The Time.

They doe all flower about the moneths of Iune and Iuly, and
their seede is ripe soone after: but the second is earlier then
the rest.

The Names.

The first is called _Clymenum_ of Matthiolus, and _Lathyris_ of
Lobel and others: but _Lathyris_ in Greeke is _Cataputia_ in
Latine, which is our Spurge, farre differing from this Pulse;
and therefore _Lathyrus_ is more proper to distinguish them
asunder, that two plants so farre vnlike should not bee called
by one name: this is also called _Lathyrus latifolius_, because
there is another called _angustifolius_, that differeth from it
also: It is most vsually called with vs, _Pisum perenne_, and
in English Pease blossome, or Pease euerlasting. The second is
called by Clusius, _Orobus venetus_, because it was sent him
from Venice, with another of the same kinde that bore white
flowers; yet differeth but little or nothing from that kinde he
found in Hungary, that I thinke the seuerall places of their
growing only cause them to bear seuerall names, and to be the
same in deede. Although I yeeld vnto Clusius the Latine name
which doth not sufficiently content mee; yet I haue thought
good to giue it a differing English name, according as it is
in the title. The third, because I first receiued it among
other seeds from Spaine, I haue giuen it the name, as it is
entituled. The fourth is called of some _Sandalida Cretica_,
& _Lotus filiquosus flore rubello_, _Lotus tetragonolobus_,
_Pisum rubrum_, & _Pisum quadratum_: We vsually call it in
English, Crimson Pease, or square Pease. The _Medica Cochleata_
is called of Dodonæus _Trifolium Cochleatum_, but not iudged to
be the true _Medica_. Wee call it in English, Medick fodder,
Snailes Clouer, or as it is in the title, and so the rest
of the Medica’s accordingly. The _Hedysarum clypeatum_ or
_Securidaca_ is called of Dodonæus _Onobrichis altera_, and we
in English for the likenesse, The red Sattin flower, although
some foolishly call it, the red or French Honysuckle. The last
is called by Lobel, _Scorpioides bupleurifolio_, I haue called
it _minus_, because the greatest sort which came to me out of
Spaine was not knowne vnto him; in English they are generally
called Caterpillers.

The Vertues.

The Medica’s are generally thought to feede cattell fat much
more then the Medow Trefoile, or Clouer grasse, and therefore
I haue known diuers Gentlemen that haue plowed vp some of
their pasture grounds, and sowen them with the seedes of some
Medica’s to make the experience. All the other sorts are
pleasures to delight the curious, and not any way profitable in
Physicke that I know.

CHAP. LXXX.

_Pæonia._ Peonie.