Chapter XXIII: Front Matter (23)

The foure first are accounted to bee hot and dry, and the three
last to bee cold and dry: yet all of them may to some good
purpose bee applyed to rheumaticke heads. The former foure are
likewise vsed to cause vrine, and in baths to comfort and heate
cold parts. They are also layd in chests and wardrobes, to
keepe garments from moths; and are worne in the heads and armes
of Gentiles and others, for their beautifull aspect.

CHAP. XCIIII.

_Canna Indica._ The Indian flowring Reede.

There are two kindes or sorts of this beautifull plant, the one with a red flower, the other with a yellow, spotted with reddish spots, both which in some kindly yeares haue borne their braue flowers, but neuer any ripe seede, and doth not abide the extremities of our winters, eyther abroade or vnder couert, vnlesse it meete with a stoue or hot-house, such as are vsed in Germany, or such other like place: For neyther house nor cellar will preserue it, for want of heate.

_Canna Indica flore rubro._ Red flowred Indian Reede.

This beautifull plant riseth vp with faire greene, large, broade leaues, euery one rising out of the middle of the other, and are folded together, or writhed like vnto a paper Coffin (as they call it) such as Comfitmakers and Grocers vse, to put in their Comfits and Spices, and being spread open, another riseth from the bottome thereof, folded in the same manner, which are set at the ioynts of the stalke when it is risen vp, like vnto our water Reede, and growing (if it runne vp for flower) to be three or foure foote high, as I haue obserued in mine owne garden: the flowers grow at the toppe of the stalke one aboue another, which before their opening are long, small, round, and pointed at the end, very like vnto the claw of a Crauise or Sea-Crab, and of the same red or crimson colour, but being open, are very like vnto the flower of _Gladiolus_ or Corne-flagge, but of a more orient colour then at the first, and standing in a rough huske, wherein afterwards standeth a three square head, containing therein round blacke seede, of the bignesse of a pease: the roote is white and tuberous, growing into many knobs, from whence arise such other leaues and stalkes, whereby it encreaseth very much, if it be rightly kept and defended.

_Canna Indica flore flauo punctato._ Yellow spotted Indian Reede.

This Reede groweth vp with leaues and flowers, in all points so like vnto the former, that it cannot bee knowne from it, vntill it come to flower, which is of a yellow colour, spotted with reddish spots, without any other difference.

The Place.

These plants grow naturally in the West Indies, from whence
they were first sent into Spaine, and Portugall, where Clusius
saith he saw them planted by the houses sides, flowring in
winter, which might be in those warme Countreyes. We preserue
them with great care in our gardens, for the beautifull aspect
of their flowers.

The Time.

They flower not with vs vntill the end, or middle of August, at
the soonest.

The Names.

They are called of some _Canna Indica_, and _Arundo Indica_,
of others _Cannacorus_, and of some _Flos Cancri_, because the
colour of the flowers, as well as the forme of the buds, are so
like vnto a Sea-Crabs cle, or claw.

The Vertues.

There is not any vse of these in Physicke that I know.

CHAP. XCV.

_Mandragoras._ Mandrake.

The Mandrake is distinguished into two kindes, the male and the female; the male hath two sorts, the one differing from the other, as shall be shewed; but of the female I know but one: The male is frequent in many gardens, but the female, in that it is more tender and rare, is noursed vp but in a few.

_Mandragoras mas._ The male Mandrake.

The male Mandrake thrusteth vp many leaues together out of the ground, which being full growne, are faire, large and greene lying round about the roote, and are larger and longer then the greatest leaues of any Lettice, whereunto it is likened by Dioscorides and others: from the middle, among these leaues, rise vp many flowers, euery one vpon a long slender stalke, standing in a whitish greene huske, consisting of fiue pretty large round pointed leaues, of a greenish white colour, which turne into small round apples, greene at the first, and of a pale red colour when they are ripe, very smooth and shining on the outside, and of a heady or strong stuffing smell, wherein is contained round whitish flat seede: the roote is long and thicke, blackish on the outside, and white within, consisting many times but of one long roote, and sometimes diuided into two branches a little below the head, and sometimes into three or more, as nature listeth to bestow vpon it, as my selfe haue often seene, by the transplanting of many, as also by breaking and cutting off of many parts of the rootes, but neuer found harme by so doing, as many idle tales haue beene set downe in writing, and deliuered also by report, of much danger to happen to such, as should digge them vp or breake them; neyther haue I euer seene any forme of man like or woman-like parts, in the rootes of any: but as I said, it hath oftentimes two maine rootes running down right into the ground, and sometimes three, and sometimes but one, as it likewise often happeneth to Parsneps, Carrots, or the like. But many cunning counterfeit rootes haue bin shaped to such formes, and publickly exposed to the view of all that would see them, and haue been tolerated by the chiefe Magistrates of the Citie, notwithstanding that they haue beene informed that such practices were meere deceit, and vnsufferable; whether this happened through their ouer-credulitie of the thing, or of the persons, or through an opinion that the information of the truth rose vpon enuy, I know not, I leaue that to the searcher of all hearts: But this you may bee bold to rest vpon, and assure your selues, that such formes as haue bin publickly exposed to be seene, were neuer so formed by nature, but only by the art and cunning of knaues and deceiuers, and let this be your _Galeatum_ against all such vaine, idle and ridiculous toyes of mens inuentions.

There is likewise another sort of these male Mandrakes, which I first saw at Canterbury; with my very louing and kinde friende Iohn Tradescante, in the garden of the Lord Wotton, whose gardiner he was at that time; the leaues whereof were of a more grayish greene colour, and somewhat folded together, when as the former kind that grew hard by it, was of the same forme that is before described, and ordinary in all others: but whether the apples were differing from the other, I know not, nor did they remember that euer it had borne any.

_Mandragoras fæmina._ The female Mandrake.

The female Mandrake doth likewise put vp many leaues together, from the head of the roote, but they are nothing so large, and are of a darker greene colour, narrower also and shining, more crumpled, and of a stronger sent: the flowers are many, rising vp in the middle of the leaues, vpon slender stalkes, as in the male kind, but of a blewish purple colour, which turne into small round fruite or apples, and not long like a peare (as Clusius reporteth that saw them naturally growing in Spaine) greene at the first, and of a pale yellowish colour, when they are full ripe; of a more pleasing, or if you will, of a lesse heady sent then the apples of the male, wherein is contained such like seede, but smaller and blacker: the rootes are like the former, blacke without and white within, and diuided in the same manner as the male is, sometimes with more, and sometimes with fewer parts or branches.

The Place.

They grow in many places of Italie, as Matthiolus reporteth,
but especially on Mount Garganus in Apulia. Clusius saith hee
found the female in many wet grounds of Spaine, as also in the
borders of those medowes that lye neere vnto riuers and water
courses. The male is cherished in many Gardens, for pleasure as
well as for vse; but the female as is said, is both very rare,
and farre more tender.

The Time.

The Male flowreth in March, and the fruit is ripe in Iuly. The
Female, if it be well preserued, flowreth not vntill August, or
September; so that without extraordinary care, we neuer see the
fruite thereof in our gardens.

The Names.

_Mandragoras mas_ is called _albus_, as the _Fæmina_ is called
_niger_, which titles of blacke and white, are referred
vnto the colour of the leaues: the female is called also
_Thridacias_, from the likenesse of Lettice, whereunto they
say in forme it doth carry some similitude. Dioscorides saith,
that in his time the male was called _Morion_, and both of them
_Antimelum_, and _Circæa_. Wee call them in English, The male,
and the female Mandrake.

The Vertues.

The leaues haue a cooling and drying qualitie, fit for the
oyntment _Populeon_, wherein it is put. But the Apples haue
a soporiferous propertie, as Leuinus Lemnius maketh mention
in his Herball to the Bible, of an experiment of his owne.
Besides, as Dioscorides first, and then Serapio, Auicen, Paulus
Ægineta, and others also do declare, they conduce much to the
cooling and cleansing of an hot _matrix_. And it is probable,
that Rachel knowing that they might be profitable for her hot
and dry body, was the more earnest with Leah for her Sonne
Rubens Apples, as it is set downe _Genesis 30. verse 14_. The
strong sent of these apples is remembred also, _Cant. 7. 13._
although some would diuert the signification of the Hebrew
word, דודאים, vnto Violets, or some other sweet flowers, in
the former place of _Genesis_, and the fruit of _Musa_, or
Adams Apples in this place of the _Canticles_. Hamilcar the
Carthaginian Captaine is said to haue infected the wine of the
Lybians (his enemies against whom he fought) with the apples
of Mandrake, whereby they being made exceeding drowsie, he
obtained a famous victory ouer them.

CHAP. XCVI.

_Pomum Amoris._ Loue Apples.

Although the beautie of this plant consisteth not in the flower, but fruit, yet giue me leaue to insert it here, lest otherwise it haue no place: whereof there are two especiall sorts, which wee comprehend in one Chapter, and distinguish them by _maius_ and _minus_, greater and smaller: yet of the greater kinde, we haue noursed vp in our Gardens two sorts, that differ only in the colour of the fruite, and in nothing else.

_Pomum Amoris maius fructu rubro._ Great Apple of Loue the ordinary red sort.

This greater kinde of Loue Apples, which hath beene most frequently cherished with vs, hath diuers long and trayling branches, leaning or spreading vpon the ground, not able to sustaine themselues, whereon doe grow many long winged leaues, that is, many leaues set on both sides, and all along a middle ribbe, some being greater, and others lesse, iagged also and dented about the edges, of a grayish ouer-worne greene colour, somewhat rough or hairy in handling; from among the leaues and the branches come forth long stalkes, with diuers flowers set thereon, vpon seuerall short footstalks, consisting of sixe, and sometimes of eight small long yellow leaues, with a middle pricke or vmbone, which after the flowers are fallen, riseth to be the fruite, which are of the bignesse of a small or meane Pippin, vneuenly bunched out in diuers places, and scarce any full round without bunches, of a faire pale reddish colour, or somewhat deeper, like vnto an Orenge, full of a slimie iuice and watery pulpe, wherein the seede lyeth, which is white, flat and somewhat rough: the roote shooteth with many small strings and bigger branches vnder ground, but perisheth at the first feeling of our winter weather. The fruite hereof by often sowing it in our Land, is become much smaller then I haue here described it: but was at the first, and so for two or three yeares after, as bigge as I haue related it.

_Pomum Amoris maius fructu luteo._ Yellow Amorous Apples.

Of the same kinde is this other sort of Amorous Apples, differing in nothing but the colour of the fruite, which is of a pale yellow colour, hauing bunches or lobes in the same manner, and seede also like the former.

_Pomum Amoris minus, siue Mala Ethiopica parua._ Small Loue Apples.

The small Apples of Loue in the very like manner, haue long weake trayling branches, beset with such like leaues as the greater kinde hath, but smaller in euery part: the flowers also stand many together on a long stalke, and yellow as the former, but much smaller: the fruite are small, round, yellowish red berries, not much bigger then great grapes, wherein are contained white flat seede, like the other, but smaller: the roote perisheth in like manner euery yeare, and therefore must bee new sowen euery spring, if you will haue the pleasure of their sight in the garden; yet some yeares I haue known them rise of their owne sowing in my garden.

The Place.

They growe naturally in the hot Countries of Barbary, and
Ethiopia; yet some report them to be first brought from Peru, a
Prouince of the West Indies. Wee onely haue them for curiosity
in our Gardens, and for the amorous aspect or beauty of the
fruit.

The Time.

They flower in Iuly and August, and their fruit is ripe in the
middle or end of September for the most part.

The Names.

The first is named diuersly by diuers Authors; for Lobel,
Camerarius, and others, call them _Poma amoris_. Dodonæus
_Aurea Mala_. Gesnerus first, and Bauhinus after him, make it
to be a kinde of _Solanum Pomiferum_. Anguillara taketh it to
be _Lycopersicum_ of Galen. Others thinke it to bee _Glaucium_
of Dioscorides. The last is called _Mala Æthiopica parua_, and
by that title was first sent vnto vs, as if the former were of
the same kinde and country. We call them in English, Apples of
Loue, Loue-Apples, Golden Apples, or Amorous Apples, and all as
much to one purpose as another, more then for their beautifull
aspect.

The Vertues.

In the hot Countries where they naturally growe, they are much
eaten of the people, to coole and quench the heate and thirst
of their hot stomaches. The Apples also boyled, or infused in
oyle in the sunne, is thought to be good to cure the itch,
assuredly it will allay the heate thereof.

CHAP. XCVII.

_Digitalis._ Foxegloue.

There are three principall sorts of Foxegloues, a greater, a middle or meane sort, and a lesser, and of them, three especiall colours, that is, purple, white, and yellow; the common purple kinde that groweth abroad in the fields, I leaue to his wilde habitation: and of the rest as followeth.

1. _Digitalis maxima ferruginea._ Dun coloured Foxegloues.

The leaues of this Foxegloue are long and large, of a grayish green colour, finely cut or dented about the edges, like the teeth of a fine sawe; among which commeth vp a strong tall stalke, which when it was full growne, and with ripe seede thereon, I haue measured to be seuen foot high at the least, whereon grow an innumerable company (as I may so say, in respect of the aboundance) of flowers, nothing so large as the common purple kinde, that groweth wilde euery where in our owne Countrey, and of a kinde of browne or yellowish dunne colour, with a long lippe at euery flower; after them come seede, like the common kinde, but in smaller heads: the rootes are stringie like the ordinary, but doe vsually perish, or seldome abide after it hath giuen seed.

1 _Canna Indica._ The Indian Reed.
2 _Mandragoras mas._ The male Mandrake.
3 _Pomum amoris maius._ Great Apples of loue.
4 _Digitalis maior flore luteo amplo._ The great yellow Foxegloue.
5 _Digitalis media flore luteo rubente._ Orenge tawny Foxegloues.
6 _Digitalis maxima ferruginea._ Dun coloured Foxegloues.
]

2. _Digitalis maior flore carneo._ Blush coloured Foxegloues.

This kinde of Foxegloues hath reasonable large leaues, yet not altogether so large as the common field kinde: the flowers are also smaller then the common sort, but of a blush colour.

3. _Digitalis media flore luteo rubente._ Orenge tawnie Foxegloue.

As this Foxegloue is none of the greatest, so also is it none of the smallest; but a sort betweene both, hauing leaues in some proportion correspondent to the lesser yellow Foxegloue, but not so large as the lesser white: the flowers are long and narrow, almost as large as the last white, but nothing so large as the first white, of a faire yellowish browne colour, as if the yellow were ouershadowed with a reddish colour, and is that colour wee vsually call an Orenge tawnie colour: the seede is like the former: the rootes perish euery yeare that they beare seede, which is vsually the second yeare of the springing.

4. _Digitalis maior alba._ The greater white Foxegloue.

This white Foxegloue is in all things so like vnto the purple wilde kinde, that it can hardly be distinguished from it, vnlesse it be in the fresher greennesse and largenesse of the leaues: the flowers are as great in a manner as the purple, but wholly white, without any spot in them: the seed and other things agree in all points.

5. _Digitalis alba altera seu minor._ The lesser white Foxegloue.

We haue in our Gardens another sort of white Foxegloue, whose leaues are like vnto the last described, but not altogether so long or large, and of a darker greene colour: the stalke groweth not so high, as not full three foote: the flowers are pure white, fashioned like vnto the former, but not so great or large, in all other things alike: the rootes hereof did abide sometime in our Gardens, but since perished, and the seede also, since when we neuer could obtaine from any our friends of that kinde againe.

6. _Digitalis maior lutea flore amplo._ The great yellow Foxegloue.

The leaues of this greater yellow Foxegloue, are in forme somewhat like vnto the common purple kinde, but not altogether so large: the stalke groweth to bee three or foure foote high, whereon stand many long hollow pendulous flowers, in shape like the ordinary purple: but somewhat shorter, and more large and open at the brimmes, of a faire yellow colour, wherein are long threads, like as in the others: the roote hereof is greater at the head, and more wooddy then any of the rest, with many smaller fibres, spreading themselues in the ground, and abideth almost as well as our common purple kinde.

7. _Digitalis minor lutea siue pallida._ The small pale yellow Foxegloue.

This small pale yellow Foxegloue hath somewhat short, broad, smooth and darke greene leaues, snipt or dented about the edges very finely: the stalke is two foot high, beset with such like leaues, but lesser: the flowers are more in number then in any of the rest, except the first and greatest, and growe along the vpper part of the stalke, being long and hollow, like the other, but very small, and of a pale yellow colour almost white: the seede vessels are small like the former, wherein are contained seede like the rest, but smaller: the rootes are stringy, but durable, and seldome perish with any iniury of the extreamest frosts.

The Place.

The great white kinde hath been often, and in many places found
wilde in our owne Country, among or hard by the common purple
kinde. All the rest are strangers, but cherished in our Gardens.

The Time.

They flower in Iune and Iuly, and some in August, their seede
becomming ripe quickly after.

The Names.

Onely the name _Digitalis_, is of all Writers giuen vnto these
plants; for it is not knowne to bee remembred of any of the old
Authors. Wee call them generally in English, Foxegloue; but
some (as thinking it to bee too foolish a name) doe call them
Finger-flowers, because they are like vnto the fingers of a
gloue, the ends cut off.

The Vertues.

Foxegloues are not vsed in Physicke by any iudicious man that I
know; yet some Italians of Bononia, as Camerarius saith, in his
time vsed it as a wound herbe.

CHAP. XCVIII.

_Verbascum._ Mullein.

There be diuers kindes of Mullein, as white Mullein, blacke Mullein, wooddy Mullein, base Mullein, Moth Mullein, and Ethiopian Mullein, all which to distinguish or to describe, is neither my purpose, nor the intent of this worke, which is to store a Garden with flowers of delight, and sequester others not worthy of that honour. Those that are fit to bee brought to your consideration in this place, are first, the _Blattarias_, or Moth Mulleins, and then the wooddy Mullein, which otherwise is called French Sage, and lastly, the Ethiopian Mullein, whose beauty consisteth not in the flower, but in the whole plant; yet if it please you not, take it according to his Country for a Moore, an Infidell, a Slaue, and so vse it.

1. _Blattaria lutea odorata._ Sweete yellow Moth Mullein.

The yellow Moth Mullein whose flower is sweete, hath many hard grayish greene leaues lying on the ground, somewhat long and broad, and pointed at the end: the stalks are two or three foot high, with some leaues on them, & branching out from the middle vpwards into many long branches, stored with many small pale yellow flowers, of a pretty sweete sent, somewhat stronger then in the other sorts, which seldome giueth seede, but abideth in the roote, during many yeares, which few or none of the others doe.

2. _Blattaria lutea maior siue Hispanica._ The great yellow Moth Mullein.

This Spanish kinde hath larger and greener leaues then the former, and rounder and larger then the next that followeth: the stalke is higher than in any of the Moth Mulleins, being for the most part foure or fiue foote high, whereon toward the toppe growe many goodly yellow flowers, consisting of fiue leaues, as all the rest doe, not so thicke set as the former, but much larger, with some small purplish threads in the middle: the ends whereof are fashioned somewhat like as if a Flie were creeping vp the flower, which turne into round heads, sometimes two or three or more standing together, but vsually one, wherein lye small duskie seed: the roote is not great nor full of threads, and doth perish most vsually hauing giuen seede, except the Winter bee very milde.

3. _Blattaria lutea altera vulgatior._ The ordinary yellow Moth Mullein.

This yellow Moth Mullein (which is the most frequent in our Gardens) hath longer, and narrower leaues then any of the former, and roundly notched or dented on the edges, of a darke greene colour: the stalke is sometimes branched, but most vsually single, whereon stand many gold yellow flowers, not fully so large as the Spanish kinde, but with the like purple threads in the middle: the seede is small, and contained in the like round heads, but alwaies euery one single by it selfe: the roote perisheth euery yeare that it beareth seede.

4. _Blattaria flore luteo purpurascente._ Cloth of gold Moth Mullein.

The greatest point of difference betweene this and the last described, consisteth chiefly in the colour of the flower, which in this is of the colour of cloth of gold, that is, the ground yellow, and ouershadowed with a bright crimson colour, which is a fine colour of much delight: the threads in the middle are not so purple red as in the former, but much about the colour of the flower: this is not so willing to giue seede, and will as hardly abide in the roote, and hath out of question risen from the seede of the former.

5. _Blattaria flore albo._ White Moth Mullein.

The leaues of the white Moth Mullein are somewhat like vnto the yellow, yet not altogether so much roundly notched about the edges, but rather a little dented, with sharper notches: the stalke riseth as high as the yellow, and hath now and then some branches about it: the flowers hereof are pure white, as large and great as the ordinary yellow, or somewhat larger, with the like purple threads in the middle, as are in the yellow: the seed is like the other; the root perisheth in like manner, and will not endure.

6. _Blattaria flore purpureo._ Purple Moth Mullein.

The Purple Moth Mullein hath his leaues lying on the ground, broader and shorter then any of the other, of a more grayish greene colour, and without any denting for the most part about the edges, sharpe pointed also at the end of the leafe; among the leaues riseth vp the stalke, not so high as either the white or the yellow, and many times branched, bearing many flowers thereon, of the same fashion, and no whit smaller, of a faire deepe blewish colour tending to rednesse, the threads in the middle of the flowers being yellow: the seede vessels hereof are somewhat smaller then any of the former, except the first sweete yellow kinde: the roote hereof is long, thicke, and blackish on the outside, abiding very well from yeare to yeare, and riseth well also from the sowing of the seede.

7. _Blattaria flore cæruleo._ Blew Moth Mullein.

This blew Moth Mullein is in all respects like vnto the former purple kinde, sauing onely in the colour of the flower, which is of a blewish violet colour, and is not much inferiour either in greatnesse of the plant, or in the largenesse of the flower, vnto the former purple kinde, and endureth many yeares in the like manner. And these be all the sorts of this kinde of Moth Mullein, that I haue seene and noursed vp for this my Garden, without interposing any vnknowne, not seene, or vnworthy.

8. _Verbascum siluestre siue quartum Matthioli._ Wooddy Mullein or French Sage.

Wooddy Mullein or French Sage, hath diuers wooddy branches two or three foot high, very hoary or white, whereon at seuerall ioynts stand diuers thicke leaues, white also and hoary, long, somewhat broad, round pointed, and rough, somewhat resembling the leaues of Sage in the forme and roughnesse, but not in the sent, whereof our people gaue it the name of Sage, calling it French Sage (when as it is as great a stranger in France as in England, yet they doe with this as with many other things, calling them French, which come from beyond the Seas; as for example, all or most of our bulbous flowers, they call French flowers, &c.) at the toppes of the stalkes and branches, at certaine distances, are placed round about them many gaping flowers, like vnto the flowers of Sage, but yellow: after which now and then come seede, somewhat bigger then the Moth Mulleins, and lesse then the next Mullein of Ethiopia: the roote is wooddy at the toppe, with diuers blackish strings growing from it, and endureth as well aboue ground with his leaues, as vnder it with his rootes.

9. _Æthiopis._ Ethiopian Mullein.

This Mullein of Ethiopia hath many great, broad, and large leaues lying on the ground, rent or torne in diuers of them very much on the sides, of so hoary a white greene colour, that it farre passeth any of the white Mulleins, that growe wilde abroad in our owne Country; for they are of a yellowish white hoarinesse, nothing so pleasant to looke on as this: in the middle of these leaues riseth vp a square strong stalke, foure or fiue foote high, set full of such like leaues as growe belowe, but much lesser, and lesser still vp to the toppe, all hoary and woolly, as the rest, and diuided into manie branches, spreading farre, and taking vp a great compasse of ground, more then any one roote of Garden Clary, or other such like plant: at each of the stalkes and branches are set two small leaues, and with them, round about the stalkes, stand many small gaping flowers, of a pale bleake blew colour: the seede is almost as large as Garden Clary seede, and of the same forme and colour: the roote is wooddy, and perisheth as soone as it hath borne seede, which is vsually the second yeare after the sowing; for the first yeare it seldome runneth vp to flower.

10. _Lamium Pannonicum siue Galeopsis Pannonica._ Hungary dead Nettle or the Dragon flower.

Let mee thrust this plant into this place, rather then make a peculiar Chapter, because I haue no other of the same stocke or kindred to be ioyned with it, and is a pretty ornament in a Garden. The leaues whereof are very large, round, and great, rough or full of veines, which make it seeme crumpled, dented or deepely notched about the edges, and of a very darke greene colour, and some times brownish, or of a darke reddish colour withall, euery one standing on a long foote-stalke, very like in forme vnto the great white Arch-Angell leaues, but farre larger and blacker: the stalkes are great and foure square, hauing leaues and flowers standing round about them at the ioynts like coronets, which flowers are very great, long, and wide gaping open, of a darke red or purple colour, with some whitenesse or spots in the iawes, and some hairinesse also on the sides, which stand in full flower two or three moneths most vsually, and sometimes longer, after which come brownish seede: the roote is a great tuft or bush of long whitish strings, and encreaseth euery yeare, not fearing the greatest iniuries of our coldest and extreamest Winters.

The Place.

All these plants are strangers in our Countrey, and onely
preserued in Gardens, to furnish them with variety; but (as I
said) the cloth of gold Moth Mullein hath been raised from seed
in our owne Country.

The Time.

The last flowreth first, before all the rest, beginning in
Aprill. The Moth Mulleins in May and Iune. The French Sage in
Iuly.

The Names.

All the sorts of _Blattaria_ may bee comprehended vnder the
kindes of _Verbascum nigrum_, as any one but meanely exercised
in the knowledge of plants, may discerne. And although Plinie
saith, that Moths doe most frequently haunt where _Blattaria_
either groweth, or is laid, yet it is not obserued sufficiently
in our Country so to doe, notwithstanding the name of Moth
Mullein is generally giuen them. The last is generally called
with vs _Lamium Pannonicum_, but certainely it is the _Galeosis
maxima Pannonica_ of Clusius.

The Vertues.

Other qualities I haue not found hath been alloted vnto the
_Blattaria_ or Moth Mullein, then those of Plinie, to engender
Moths. Wee vse none of these plants in Physicke in these daies.

CHAP. XCIX.

_Valeriana._ Valerian.

The many sorts of Valerian (or Set-wall as many doe call them) are fitter for a generall worke, or a generall Physicall Garden of Simples, then this of delightfull flowers. I will therefore select out a few, worthy of the place, and offer them to your considerations.

1. _Valeriana rubra Dodonæi._ Red Valerian.

This Valerian hath diuers hard, but brittle whitish greene stalkes, rising from the roote, full of tuberous or swelling ioynts, whereat stand two leaues, on each side one, and now and then some small leaues from betweene them, which are somewhat long and narrow, broadest in the middle, and small at both ends, without either diuision or incisure on the edges, of a pale greene colour: the stalkes are branched at the top into diuers parts, at the ends whereof stand many flowers together, as it were in an vmbell or tuft, somewhat like vnto the flowers of our ordinary Valerian, but with longer neckes, and of a fine red colour, very pleasant to behold, but of no sent of any Valerian: after these flowers haue stood blowne a very great while, they sodainely fall away, and the seede is ripe very quickly after, which is whitish, standing vpon the branches naked, as the Valerians doe, and very like vnto them, with a little white doune at the end of euery one of them, whereby they are soone carried away with the winde: the roote is great, thicke, and white, continuing long, and shooting out new branches euery yeare, and smelling somewhat like a Valerian.

2. _Nardus Montana tuberosa._ Knobbed Mountaine Valerian.

This kinde of Valerian or Spiknard, if you will so call it, hath his first leaues lying on the ground, without any diuision in them at all, being smooth, and of a darke greene colour, which so abide all the winter; but those that spring vp after, and when it runneth vp to flower, are cut in on the edges, very like vnto the iagged leaues of the great garden Valerian, and so the elder they grow, the more cut and iagged they are: the stalke and flowers are very like the stalke with flowers of the garden Valerian, but of a darke or deepe red colour, and more store of them thrust together, by double the number almost: the seede is like the seede of the great Valerian: the root is tuberous, or knobbed in many parts, round about, aboue and below also, with some fibres shooting from them, whereby it is encreased, and smelleth very like the roote of the garden Setwall, or not altogether so strong.

1 _Blattaria flore albo._ Moth Mullein with a white flower.
2 _Blattaria flore purpureo._ Moth Mullein with a purple flower.
3 _Verbascum quartum Matthioli._ French Sage.
4 _Æthiopis._ Ethiopian Mullein.
5 _Valeriana rubro Dodonæi_. Red Valerian.
6 _Valeriana Græca._ Greek Valerian.
7 _Lamium Pannonicum._ Hungary dead Nettle.
8 _Cardamine flore pleno._ Double Cuckowe flower or Ladies smocks.
]

3. _Valeriana Græca._ Greeke Valerian.

The Greek Valerian hath many winged leaues lying vpon the ground, that is, many small leaues set on both sides of a middle ribbe, very like vnto the wilde Valerian, that groweth by the ditch sides, but much smaller and tenderer, among which rise vp one or two round brittle stalkes, two foote high or thereabouts, whereon are set at the ioynts, such like leaues as grow below, but smaller: the toppes of the stalkes are diuided into many small branches, thicke set together, full with flowers, consisting of fiue small round leaues a peece, layd open like vnto the Cinquefoile flower, with some white threds in the middle, tipt with yellow pendents: the colour of these flowers in some plants, is of a faire bleake blew colour, and in others pure white: And I doe heare of one beyond the Seas (if the report bee true, for I haue not seene such a one) which should beare red flowers: after the flowers are past, there come vp in their places small hard huskes or heads, containing small blackish seedes: the roote is composed of a number of small long blackish threds, fastened together at the head, without any sent at all of a Valerian, eyther in roote or leafe; and why it should bee called a Valerian I see no great reason, for it agreeth with none of them, in flower or seede, and but onely with the wilde Valerian in leafe, as I said before: but as it is, we so giue it you, and for the flowers sake is receiued into our gardens, to helpe to fill vp the number of natures rarities and varieties.

The Place.

All these Valerians are strangers, but endenizond for their
beauties sake in our Gardens. The Mountaine Valerian I had of
the liberalitie of my louing friend Iohn Tradescante, who in
his trauaile, and search of natures varieties, met with it, and
imparted thereof vnto me.

The Time.

They flower in the Summer moneths, and seed quickly after.

The Names.

The first is generally called of most, _Valeriana rubra
Dodonæi_, who saith also that some would haue it to be _Behen
rubrum_. Some call it _Valerianthon_, others make it a kinde of
_Ocimastrum_, and some _Saponaria altera_, with other names,
which are to no great purpose to set downe in this place,
it beeing fitter for a generall worke to discusse of names,
wherein both reading, knowledge and iudgement must bee shewen,
to correct errours, and set downe the truth, that one may rest
thereon. The others haue their names in their titles sufficient
to distinguish them.

The Vertues.

The Mountaine Valerian is of all the rest here set downe of
most vse in Physicke, the rest hauing little or none that I
know, although it be much weaker then the great garden kinde,
or the Indian Nardus, in whose steed anciently it was vsed, in
oyles, oyntments, &c.

CHAP. C.

_Cardamine._ Cuckow flowers, or Ladies smockes.

Of the common sorts of Cuckow flowers that grow by ditch-sides, or in moist medowes, & wet grounds, it is not my purpose here to write, but of one or two other, the most specious or faire of all the tribe, that doe best befit this garden.

1. _Cardamine flore pleno._ Double Cuckow flowers.

The double _Cardamine_ hath a few winged leaues, weake and tender, lying on the ground, very like vnto the single medow kinde; from among which riseth vp a round greene stalke, set here and there, with the like leaues that grow below, the top whereof hath a few branches, whereon stand diuers flowers, euery one vpon a small footestalk, consisting of many small whitish round leaues, a little dasht ouer with a shew of blush, set round together, which make a double flower: the roote creepeth vnder ground, sending forth small white fibres, and shooteth vp in diuers places.

2. _Cardamine trifolia._ Trefoile Ladies smockes.

This small plant hath diuers hard, darke round greene leaues, somewhat vneuen about the edges, alwayes three set together on a blackish small footstalke, among which rise vp small round blackish stalkes, halfe a foote high, with three small leaues at the ioynts, where they branch forth; at the toppes whereof stand many flowers, consisting of foure leaues a peece, of a whitish or blush colour very pale: after which come vp small, thicke and long pods, wherein is contained small round seede: the root is composed of many white threds, from the heads whereof runne out small strings, of a dark purple colour, whereby it encreaseth.

The Place.

The first with the double flower is found in diuers places
of our owne Countrey, as neere Micham about eight miles from
London; also in Lancashire, from whence I receiued a plant,
which perished, but was found by the industrie of a worthy
Gentlewoman, dwelling in those parts heretofore remembred,
called Mistresse Thomasin Tunstall, a great louer of these
delights. The other was sent me by my especiall good friend
Iohn Tradescante, who brought it among other dainty plants from
beyond the Seas, and imparted thereof a roote to me.

The Time.

The last most vsually flowreth before the former, yet not much
differing, that is, in the end of Aprill or in May.

The Names.

The first is a double kinde of that plant, that growing wilde
abroade, is vsually called _Cardamine altera_, and _Sisymbrium
alterum_ of Dioscorides, and of some _Flos cuculi_, but not
fitly; for that name is more vsually giuen vnto the wilde
featherd Campion, both single and double, as is before
expressed: yet for want of a fitter name, wee may call it in
English, eyther Cuckowe flower, or Ladyes smockes which you
will. The second hath beene sent vnder the name of _Sanicula
trifolia_, but the most frequent name now receiued, is
_Cardamine trifolia_, and in English Trefoile Ladies smockes.

The Vertues.

The double Ladies smockes are of the same qualitie with the
single, and is thought to be as effectuall as Watercresses. The
propertie of the other I thinke is not much knowne, although
some would make it a wound herbe.

CHAP. CI.

_Thlaspi Creticum._ Candy Tufts.

Of the many sorts of _Thlaspi_ it is not the scope of this worke to relate, I will select but onely two or three, which for their beautie are fit to bee inserted into this garden.

_Thlaspi Creticum vmbellatum flore albo & purpureo._ Candy Tufts white and purple.

This small plant riseth seldome aboue a foote and a halfe high, hauing small, narrow, long and whitish greene leaues, notched or dented with three or foure notches on each side, from the middle to the point-wards; from among which rise vp the stalkes, branched from the bottome almost into diuers small branches, at the toppes whereof stand many small flowers, thick thrust together in an vmbell or tuft, making them seeme to be small, round, double flowers of many leaues, when as euery flower is single, and standeth a part by it selfe, of a faire white colour in some plants, without any spot, and in others with a purplish spot in the centre or middle, as if some of the middle leaues were purple; in others agane the whole flower is purplish all ouer, which make a pretty shew in a garden: the seede is contained in many small and flat seed vessels, which stand together in an vmbell, as the flowers did, in which are contained somewhat reddish seede, like vnto some other sorts of _Thlaspi_, called Treakle Mustards: the roote is small and hard, and perisheth euery yeare hauing giuen seede.

[Sidenote: _Thlaspi Marinum Bæticum._]

We haue another sort, whose leaues before it sendeth forth any stalke, are a little toothed, or finely dented about the edges, and brancheth not so much out, but carryeth an vmbell of purplish flowers like vnto the former, and paler yellow seede.

The Place.

These doe grow in Spaine and Candie, not farre from the Sea
side.

The Time.

These _Thlaspi_ giue not their flowers vntill the end of Iune,
or beginning of Iuly, and the seed is ripe soone after.

The Names.

The first is named by some, _Draba_, or _Arabis_, as Dodonæus,
but _Draba_ is another plant differing much from this. Wee call
one sort, _Thlaspi Creticum_, and the other _Thlaspi Bæticum
marinum_, because the one came from Spaine, and the other from
Candy; we giue it in English, the name of Tufts, because it
doth fit the forme of the flowers best, although ordinarily all
the _Thlaspi_ are Englished Wilde Mustardes.

The Vertues.

Candy, or Spanish Tufts, is not so sharpe biting in taste,
as some other of the Thlaspies are, and therefore is not to
be vsed in medicines, where _Thlaspi_ should be in the stead
thereof.

CHAP. CII.

_Clematis._ Clamberers, or Creepers.

Hauing shewed you all my store of herbes bearing fine flowers, let mee now bring to your consideration the rest of those plants, be they Shrubs or Trees, that are cherished in our garden, for the beauty of their flowers chiefly, or for some other beautifull respect: and first I will begin with such as creepe on the ground, without climing, and then such as clime vp by poles, or other things, that are set or grow neere them, fit to make Bowers, and Arbours, or else are like them in forme, in name, or some other such qualitie or propertie.

1. _Clematis Daphnoides, siue Vinca peruinca simplex minor diuersorum colorum._ Single Perwinkle of diuers colours.

The smaller Perwinkle which not onely groweth wilde in many places, but is most vsuall in our Gardens, hath diuers creeping branches, trayling or running vpon the ground, shooting out small fibres at the ioynts, as it creepeth, taking thereby hold in the ground, and rooteth in diuers places: at the ioynts of these branches stand two small darke greene shining leaues, somewhat like vnto small Baye leaues, but smaller, and at the ioynts likewise with the leaues, come forth the flowers, one at a ioynt, standing vpon a tender footestalke, being somewhat long and hollow, parted at the brims, sometimes into foure leaues, and sometimes into fiue, the most ordinary sort is of a pale or bleake blew colour, but some are pure white, and some of a darke reddish purple colour: the root is in the body of it, little bigger then a rush, bushing in the ground, and creeping with his branches farre about, taking roote in many places, whereby it quickely possesseth a great compasse; and is therefore most vsually planted vnder hedges, or where it may haue roome to runne.

2. _Vinca peruinca flore duplici purpureo._ Double purple Perwinkle.

The double Perwinkle is like vnto the former single kinde, in all things except in the flower, which is of that darke reddish purple colour that is in one of the single kindes; but this hath another row of leaues within the flower, so that the two rowes of leaues causeth it to be called double, but the leaues of these are lesser then the single. I haue heard of one with a double white flower, but I haue not yet seene it.

3. _Clematis Daphnoides siue Peruinca maior._ The greater Perwinkle.

This greater Perwinkle is somewhat like the former, but greater, yet his branches creepe not in that manner, but stand more vpright, or lesse creeping at the least: the leaues also hereof stand by couples at the ioynts, but they are broader and larger by the halfe: the flowers are larger, consisting of fiue leaues that are blew, a little deeper then the former blew: this plant is farre tenderer to keepe then the other, and therefore would stand warme, as well as in a moist shadowie place.

4. _Clematis altera siue vrens flore albo._ Burning Clamberer, or Virgins Bower.

This Causticke or burning Climer, hath very long and climing tender branches, yet somewhat woody below, which winde about those things that stand neere it, couered with a brownish greene barke, from the ioynts whereof shoote forth many winged leaues, consisting for the most part of fiue single leaues, that is two and two together, and one at the end, which are a little cut in or notched on the edges here and there, but euery part of them is lesser then the leaues of the next following Climer, without any clasping tendrels to winde about any thing at all: towards the vpper part of the branches, with the said leaues, come forth long stalks, whereon stand many white flowers clustering together, opening the brims into sixe or eight small leaues, spreading like a starre, very sweet of smell, or rather of a strong heady sent, which after turne into flattish and blackish seede, plumed at the head, which plume or feather flyeth away with the winde after it hath stood long, and leaueth the seede naked or bare: the roote is white and thicke, fleshie and tender, or easie to be broken, as my selfe can well testifie, in that desiring to take a sucker from the roote, I could not handle it so tenderly, but that it broke notwithstanding all my care. Master Gerard in his Herball maketh mention of one of this kinde with double white flowers, which hee saith he recouered from the seede was sent him from Argentine, that is Strasborough, whereof hee setteth forth the figure with double flowers: but I neuer saw any such with him, neither did I euer heare of any of this kinde with double flowers. Clusius indeed saith, that hee receiued from a friend some seede vnder the name of _Clematis flore albo pleno_: but he doubteth whether there bee any such: the plants that sprang with him from that seede, were like vnto the vpright kinde called _Flammila Matthioli_, or _Iouis cresta_, as he there saith: but assuredly I haue beene informed from some of my especiall friends beyond Sea, that they haue a double white _Clematis_, and haue promised to send it; but whether it will be of the climing or vpright sort, I cannot tell vntill I see it: but surely I doe much doubt whether the double will giue any good seede.

5. _Clematis altera siue peregrina flore rubro._ Red Ladies Bower.

This Climer hath many limber and weake climing branches like the former, couered with a browne thin outer barke, and greene vnderneath: the leaues stand at the ioynts, consisting but of three leaues or parts, whereof some are notched on one side, and some on both, without any clasping tendrels also, but winding with his branches about any thing standeth next vnto it: the flowers in like manner come from the same ioynts with the leaues, but not so many together as the former vpon long footstalkes, consisting of foure leaues a peece, standing like a crosse, of a darke red colour; the seed is flat and round, and pointed at the end, three or foure or more standing close together vpon one stalk, without any doune vpon them at all, as in the former: the roots are a bundell of brownish yellow strong strings, running down deep into the ground, from a bigge head aboue.

6. _Clematis peregrina flore purpureo simplici._ Single purple Ladies Bower.

This Ladies Bower differeth in nothing from the last described, but onely in the colour of the flower, which is of a sad blewish purple colour; so that the one is not possible to be known from the other, vntill they be in flower.

7. _Clematis peregrina flore purpurea pleno._ Double flowred purple Ladies Bower.

This double _Clematis_ hath branches and leaues so neere resembling the single kinds, that there can be knowne no difference, vnlesse it be, that this groweth more goale and great, and yeeldeth both more store of branches from the ground, and more spreading aboue: the chiefest marke to distinguish it is the flower, which in this is very thicke and double, consisting of a number of smaller leaues, set close together in order in the middle, the foure outermost leaues that encompasse them, being much broader and larger then any of the inward, but all of a dull or sad blewish purple colour, the points or ends of the leaues seeming a little darker then the middle of them: this beareth no seede that euer I could see, heare of, or learne by any of credit, that haue noursed it a great while; and therefore the tales of false deceitfull gardiners, and others, that diliuer such for truth, to deceiue persons ignorant thereof, must not bee credulously entertained.

[Sidenote: _Clematis peregrina flore carneo pleno._]

In the great booke of the Garden of the Bishop of Eystot (which place is neere vnto Noromberg) in Germany, I reade of a _Clematis_ of this former kinde, whose figure is thereto also annexed, with double flowers of an incarnate, or pale purple tending to a blush colour, whereof I haue not heard from any other place.

8. _Flammula Iouis erecta._ Vpright Virgins Bower.

This kinde of _Clematis_ hath diuers more vpright stalkes then any of the foure last described, sometimes foure or fiue foote high, or more: yet leaning or bending a little, so that it had some neede of sustaining, couered with a brownish barke; from whence come forth on all sides diuers winged leaues, consisting of fiue or seuen leaues, set on both sides of a middle ribbe, whereof one is at the end: the tops of the stalkes are diuided into many branches, bearing many white sweet smelling flowers on them, like in fashion vnto the white Virgins Bower; after which come such like feather topt seede, which remaine and shew themselues, being flat like the other, when the plumes are blowne abroad: the roote spreadeth in the ground from a thicke head, into many long strings, and fasteneth it selfe strongly in the earth; but all the stalkes dye downe euery yeare, and spring afresh in the beginning of the next.

9. _Clematis cærulea Pannonica._ The Hungarian Climer.

The stalks of this plant stand vpright, & are foure square, bearing at euery ioynt two leaues, which at the first are closed together, and after they are open, are somewhat like vnto the leaues of _Asclepias_, or Swallow-wort: from the tops of the stalks, and sometimes also from the sides by the leaues commeth forth one flower, bending the head downward, consisting of foure leaues, somewhat long & narrow, standing like a crosse, and turning vp their ends a little againe, of a faire blew or skie colour, with a thicke pale yellow short thrumme, made like a head in the middle: after the flower is past, the head turneth into such a like round feather topt ball, as is to be seene in the Trauellers ioy, or _Viorna_ (as it is called) that groweth plentifully in Kent, and in other places by the way sides, and in the hedges, wherein is included such like flat seede. These stalkes (like as the last) dye downe to the ground euery yeare, and rise againe in the Spring following, shooting out new branches, and therby encreaseth in the root.

10. _Maracoc siue Clematis Virginiana._ The Virginia Climer.