Chapter XXIV: Front Matter (24)

Because this braue and too much desired plant doth in some things resemble the former Climers, so that vnto what other family or kindred I might better conioyne it I know not; let me I pray insert it in the end of their Chapter, with this description. It riseth out of the ground (very late in the yeare, about the beginning of May, if it be a plant hath risen from the seed of our owne sowing, and if it be an old one, such as hath been brought to vs from Virginia, not till the end thereof) with a round stalke, not aboue a yard and a halfe high (in any that I haue seene) but in hotter Countries, as some Authors haue set it downe, much higher, bearing one leafe at euery ioynt, which from the ground to the middle thereof hath no claspers, but from thence vpwards hath at the same ioynt with the leafe both a small twining clasper, like vnto a Vine, and a flower also: euery leafe is broad at the stalke thereof, and diuided about the middle on both sides, making it somewhat resemble a Figge leafe, ending in three points, whereof the middlemost is longest: the bud of the flower, before it doe open, is very like vnto the head or seede vessell of the ordinary single _Nigella_, hauing at the head or top fiue small crooked hornes, which when this bud openeth, are the ends or points of fiue leaues, that are white on the inside, and lay themselues flat, like vnto an Anemone, and are a little hollow like a scoope at the end, with fiue other smaller leaues, and whiter then they lying betweene them, which were hid in the bud before it opened, so that this flower being full blowne open, consisteth of ten white leaues, laide in order round one by another: from the bottome of these leaues on the inside, rise diuers twined threads, which spread and lay themselues all ouer these white leaues, reaching beyond the points of them a little, and are of a reddish peach colour: towards the bottomes likewise of these white leaues there are two red circles, about the breadth of an Oten strawe, one distant from another (and in some flowers there is but one circle seen) which adde a great grace vnto the flower; for the white leaues shew their colour through the peach coloured threads, and these red circles or rings vpon them being also perspicuous, make a tripartite shew of colours most delightfull: the middle part of this flower is hollow, and yellowish; in the bottome whereof riseth vp an vmbone, or round stile, somewhat bigge, of a whitish greene colour, spotted with reddish spots like the stalkes of Dragons, with fiue round threads or chiues, spotted in the like manner, and tipt at the ends with yellow pendents, standing about the middle part of the said vmbone, and from thence rising higher, endeth in three long crooked hornes most vsually (but sometimes in foure, as hath beene obserued in Rome by Dʳ. Aldine, that set forth some principall things of Cardinall Farnesius his Garden) spotted like the rest, hauing three round greene buttons at their ends: these flowers are of a comfortable sweete sent, very acceptable, which perish without yeelding fruit with vs, because it flowreth so late: but in the naturall place, and in hot Countries, it beareth a small round whitish fruit, with a crowne at the toppe thereof, wherein is contained (while it is fresh, and before it be ouer dried) a sweet liquor, but when it is dry, the seede within it, which is small, flat, somewhat rough and blacke, will make a ratling noise: the rootes are composed of a number of exceeding long and round yellowish browne strings, spreading farre abroad vnder the ground (I haue seene some rootes that haue beene brought ouer, that were as long as any rootes of _Sarsaparilla_, and a great deale bigger, which to be handsomely laid into the ground, were faine to be coyled like a cable) and shooting vp in seuerall places a good distance one from another, whereby it may be well encreased.

GRANADILLVS FRVTEX INDICVS CHRISTI PASSIONIS IMAGO.]

The Place.

The first blew Perwinkle groweth in many Woods and Orchards,
by the hedge sides in England, and so doth the white here
and there, but the other single and double purple are in our
Gardens onely. The great Perwinkle groweth in Prouence of
France, in Spaine, and Italy, and other hot Countries, where
also growe all the twining Clamberers, as well single as
double: but both the vpright ones doe growe in Hungary and
there abouts. The surpassing delight of all flowers came from
Virginia. Wee preserue them all in our Gardens.

The Time.

The Perwinkles doe flower in March and Aprill. The Climers not
vntill the end of Iune, or in Iuly, and sometimes in August.
The Virginian somewhat later in August; yet sometimes I haue
knowne the flower to shew it selfe in Iuly.

1 _Thlaspi Creticum._ Candy tufts.
2 _Vinca peruinca flore simplici._ Single Perwinkle.
3 _Vinca peruinca flore duplici._ Double Perwinkle.
4 _Flammula Matthioli._ Vpright Virgins Bower.
5 _Clematis peregrina flore simplici._ The single Ladies Bower.
6 _Clematis peregrina flore pleno purpureo._ Double flowred Ladies
Bower.
7 _Maracoc siue Clematis Virginiana._ The Virginian Climer.
]

The Names.

The first is out of question the first _Clematis_ of
Dioscorides, and called of many _Clematis Daphnoides_ (but
not that plant that is simply called _Daphnoides_, for that
is _Laureola_) and is vsually called _Vinca pervinca_: but it
is not _Chamædaphne_, for that is another plant, as shall be
shewed in his place; some call it _Centunculus_: In English
wee call it Perwinkle. The other is _Clematis altera_ of
Dioscorides, and is called also _Clematis peregrina_, whose
distinctions are set downe in their titles: In English, Ladies
Bower, or Virgins Bower, because they are fit to growe by
Arbours, to couer them. The first vpright Clamberer is called,
and that rightly of some, _Clematis erecta_, or _surrecta_.
Of others, _Flammula frutex_, and _Flammula Iouis_, or
_surrecta_: In English, Vpright Virgins Bower. The next is
called by Clusius, _Clematis Pannonica cæulea_, who thought
it to be _Climeni species_, by the relation of others, at the
first, but after entituled it, _Clematis_: In English, the
Hungarian Climer. The last may be called in Latine, _Clematis
Virginiana_: In English, The Virgin or Virginian Climer;
of the Virginians, _Maracoc_: of the Spaniards in the West
Indies _Granadillo_, because the fruit (as is before said)
is in some fashion like a small Pomegranate on the outside;
yet the seede within is flattish, round, and blackish. Some
superstitious Iesuite would faine make men beleeue, that in
the flower of this plant are to be seene all the markes of our
Sauiours Passion; and therefore call it _Flos Passionis_: and
to that end haue caused figures to be drawne, and printed, with
all the parts proportioned out, as thornes, nailes, speare,
whippe, pillar, &c. in it, and all as true as the Sea burnes,
which you may well perceiue by the true figure, taken to the
life of the plant, compared with the figures set forth by the
Iesuites, which I haue placed here likewise for euery one to
see: but these bee their aduantagious lies (which with them
are tolerable, or rather pious and meritorious) wherewith
they vse to instruct their people; but I dare say, God neuer
willed his Priests to instruct his people with lyes: for they
come from the Diuell, the author of them. But you may say I
am beside my Text, and I am in doubt you will thinke, I am in
this besides my selfe, and so nothing to be beleeued herein
that I say. For, for the most part, it is an inherent errour
in all of that side, to beleeue nothing, be it neuer so true,
that any of our side shall affirme, that contrarieth the
assertions of any of their Fathers, as they call them: but I
must referre them to God, and hee knoweth the truth, and will
reforme or deforme them in his time. In regard whereof I could
not but speake (the occasion being thus offered) against such
an erroneous opinion (which euen Dʳ. Aldine at Rome, before
remembred, disproued, and contraried both the said figures and
name) and seek to disproue it, as doth (I say not almost, but I
am affraid altogether) leade many to adore the very picture of
such things, as are but the fictions of superstitious brains:
for the flower it selfe is farre differing from their figure,
as both Aldine in the aforesaid booke, and Robinus at Paris in
his _Theatrum Floræ_, doe set forth; the flowers and leaues
being drawne to the life, and there exhibited, which I hope may
satisfie all men, that will not be perpetually obstinate and
contentious.

The Vertues.

Costæus saith hee hath often seene, that the leaues of
Perwinkle held in the mouth, hath stayed the bleeding at the
nose. The French doe vse it to stay the menstruall fluxes. The
other are causticke plants, that is, fiery hot, and blistering
the skinne; and therefore (as Dioscorides saith) is profitable
to take away the scurfe, leprye, or such like deformities of
the skin. What property that of Virginia hath, is not knowne to
any with vs I thinke, more then that the liquor in the greene
fruit is pleasant in taste; but assuredly it cannot be without
some speciall properties, if they were knowne.

CHAP. CIII.

_Chamælæa._ Dwarfe Spurge Oliue, or Dwarfe Baye.

I haue three sorts of _Chamælæa_ to bring to your consideration, euery one differing notably from other; two of them of great beauty in their flowers, as well as in the whole plant: the third abiding with greene leaues, although it haue no beauty in the flower, yet worthy of the place it holds. And vnto these I must adioyne another plant, as comming nearest vnto them in the brauery of the flowers.

1. _Chamælæa Germanica siue Mezereon floribus dilutioris coloris & saturatioris._ Dwarfe Bay, or flowring Spurge Oliue.

We haue two sorts of this Spurge Oliue or Dwarfe Baye, differing onely in the colour of the flowers. They both rise vp with a thicke wooddy stemme, fiue or six foot high sometimes, or more, and of the thicknesse (if they be very old) of a mans wrest at the ground, spreading into many flexible long branches, couered with a tough grayish barke, beset with small long leaues, somewhat like vnto Priuet leaues, but smaller and paler, and in a manner round pointed: the flowers are small, consisting of foure leaues, many growing together sometimes, and breaking out of the branches by themselues: in the one sort of a pale red at the first blowing, and more white afterwards; the other of a deeper red in the blossome, and continuing of a deeper red colour all the time of the flowring, both of them very sweete in smell: after the flowers are past, come the berries, which are greene at the first, and very red afterwards, turning blackish red, if they stand too long vpon the branches: the rootes spread into many tough long branches, couered with a yellowish barke.

2. _Chamælæa Alpina._ Mountaine Spurge Oliue.

This Mountaine Laurell riseth vp with a small wooddy stemme, three or foure foot high, or more, branching forth towards the vpper parts into many slender and tough branches, couered with a rough hoary greene barke, beset at the ends thereof with flatter, fuller, and smaller round pointed leaues then the former, of a grayish greene colour on the vpperside, and hoary vnderneath, which abide on the branches in Winter, and fall not away as the former: the flowers are many set together at the ends of the branches, greater then the former, and consisting of foure leaues a peece, of a light blush colour, standing in small grayish huskes, of little or no sent at all: the fruit followeth, which are small long graines or berries, of an excellent red colour, which afterwards turne blacke: the roote is long, and spreadeth about vnder the vpper part of the earth.

3. _Chamælæa tricoccos._ Widowe Wayle.

This three berried Spurge Oliue hath no great stemme at all, but the whole plant spreadeth from the ground into many flexible tough greene branches, whereon are set diuers narrow, long, darke greene leaues all along the branches, which abide greene all the Winter: the flowers are very small, scarce to be seene, and come forth between the leaues and the stalke, of a pale yellow colour, made of three leaues; after which come small blackish berries, three vsually set together; the roote spreadeth it selfe in the ground not very farre, being hard and wooddy, and often dyeth, if it bee not well defended from the extremity of our sharpe Winters.

4. _Cneorum Matthioli._ Small Rocke Roses.

I was long in doubt in what place I should dispose of this plant, whether among the Campions, as Bauhinus, or among these, as Clusius doth; but lest my Garden should want it wholly, let it take vp roome for this time here. This gallant plant hath diuers long, weake, slender, but yet tough branches lying vpon the ground, diuided vsually into other smaller branches, whereon growe many, small, long, and somewhat thicke leaues, somewhat like vnto the leaues of the former _Mezereon_, set without any order to the very tops, from whence doe come forth a tuft of many small flowers together, made or consisting of foure leaues a peece, of a bright red or carnation colour, and very sweete withall, which turne into small round whitish berries, wherein is contained small round seede, couered with a grayish coate or skinne: the roote is long and yellowish, spreading diuers wayes vnder the ground, and abideth many yeares shooting forth new branches.

[Sidenote: _Flore albo._]

It hath beene obserued in some of these plants, to bring forth white flowers, not differing in any thing else.

The Place.

The first sorts growe plentifully in many places of Germany.
The second in the mountaines by Sauoye. The third in Prouence
and Spaine. The last in diuers parts of Germany, Bohemia, and
Austria, and about Franckford.

The Time.

The two first sorts are most vsually in flower about Christmas,
or in Ianuary, if the weather be not violent, and sometimes not
vntill February. The second flowreth not vntill Aprill. The
third in May. The berries of them ripen some in Iune and Iuly;
some in August and September, as their flowring is earlier or
later. The last flowreth as well in the Spring as in Autumne,
so apt and plentifull it is in bearing, and the seede at both
times doth ripen soone after.

The Names.

The first is called of some _Chamælæa_, with this addition
_Germanica_, that it may differ from the third, which is the
true _Chamælæa_ of Dioscorides, as all the best Authors doe
agree, and is also called _Piper montanum_ of the Italians.
It is generally called _Mezereon_, and is indeede the true
_Mezereon_ of the Arabians, and so vsed in our Apothecaries
shops, wheresoeuer the Arabians _Mezereon_ is appointed,
although the Arabians are so intricate and vncertaine in the
descriptions of their plants, confounding _Chamælæa_ and
_Thymælæa_ together. Matthiolus maketh it to be _Daphnoides_
of Dioscorides; but in my opinion he is therein mistaken: for
all our best moderne Writers doe account our _Laureola_, which
hath blacke berries, to bee the true _Daphnoides_: the errour
of his Countrey might peraduenture drawe him thereunto; but if
hee had better considered the text of Dioscorides, that giueth
black berries to _Daphnoides_, and red to _Chamædaphne_, he
would not so haue written; and truly, I should thinke (as Lobel
doth) with better reason, that this _Chamælæa_ were Dioscorides
_Chamædaphne_, then hee to say it were _Daphnoides_: for the
description of _Chamædaphne_, may in all parts be very fitly
applyed to this _Chamælæa_: and euen these words, _Semen
annexum folijs_, wherein may be the greatest doubt in the
description, may not vnfitly bee construed, that as is seene in
the plant, the berries growe at the foote of the leaues, about
the branches: the faculties indeede that Dioscorides giueth to
_Chamædaphne_, are (if any repugnancie be) the greatest let
or hinderance, that this _Chamælæa_ should not be it: but I
leaue the discussing of these and others of the like nature, to
our learned Physitians; for I deale not so much with vertues
as with descriptions. The second is called of Lobel _Chamælæa
Alpine incana_, of Clusius _Chamælæa secunda_, and saith hee
had it out of Italy. Wee may call it in English, Mountaine
Spurge Oliue, as it is in the description, or Mountaine
Laurell, which you will. The last hath the name of _Cneorum_,
first giuen it by Matthiolus, which since is continued by all
others. Bauhinus (as I said) referreth it to the Mountaine
Campions, but Clusius (as I doe) to the kindes of _Chamælæa_
or _Thymælæa_. For want of an English name I haue (as you see,
and that is according to the name the Germane women, as Clusius
saith, doe call it) entituled it the Small Rocke Rose; which
may abide vntill a fitter may be conferred vpon it.

1 _Chamælæa Germanica seu Mezereon._ Mezereon or Dwarfe Bay.
2 _Chamælæa Alpina._ Mountain or Spurge Oliue.
3 _Cneorum Matthioli._ Small Rocke Roses.
4 _Laurus Tinus siue siluestris._ The wild Bay tree.
5 _Oleander siue Laurus Rosea._ The Rose Bay tree.
6 _Laurocerasus._ The Bay Cherrie tree.
]

The Vertues.

All these plants except the last, as well leaues as berries,
are violent purgers, and therefore great caution is to bee had
in the vse of them. The last hath not beene applyed for any
disease that I know.

CHAP. CIIIA.

_Laurus._ The Bay Tree.

My meaning is not to make any description of our ordinary Bayes in this place (for as all may very well know, they may be for an Orchard or Courtyard, and not for this Garden) but of two or three other kindes, whose beautifull aspect haue caused them to be worthy of a place therein: the one is called _Laurus Tinus_, The wilde Baye: the other _Laurus Rosea_ or _Oleander_, The Rose Bay: and a third is _Laurocerasus_, The Cherry Bay; which may haue not onely some respect for his long bush of sweet smelling flowers, but especially for the comely statelinesse of his gallant euer fresh greene leaues; and the rather, because with vs in most places, it doth but _frutescere_, vse to bee Shrub high, not _arborescere_, Tree high, which is the more fit for this Garden.

1. _Laurus Tinus siue siluestris._ The wilde Bay tree.

This wilde Baye groweth seldome to bee a tree of any height, but abideth for the most part low, shooting forth diuers slender branches, whereon at euery ioynt stand two leaues, long, smooth, and of a darke greene colour, somewhat like vnto the leaues of the Female Cornell tree, or between that and Baye leaues: at the toppes of the branches stand many small white sweete smelling flowers, thrusting together, as it were in an vmbell or tuft, consisting of fiue leaues a peece, the edges whereof haue a shew of a wash purple, or light blush in them, which for the most part fall away without bearing any perfect ripe fruit in our Countrey: Yet sometimes it hath small black berries, as if they were good, but are not. In his naturall place it beareth small, round, hard and pointed berries, of a shining blacke colour, for such haue come often to my hands (yet Clusius writeth they are blew); but I could neuer see any spring that I put into the ground. This that I here describe, seemeth to me to be neither of both those that Clusius saw growing in Spain and Portugall, but that other, that (as he saith) sprang in the low Countreyes of Italian seede.

2. _Laurus Rosea siue Oleander._ The Rose Bay.

Of the Rose Bay there are two sorts, one bearing crimson coloured flowers, which is more frequent, and the other white, which is more rare. They are so like in all other things, that they neede but one description for both. The stemme or trunke is many times with vs, as bigge at the bottome as a good mans thumbe, but growing vp smaller, it diuideth it selfe into branches, three for the most part comming from one ioynt or place, and those branches againe doe likewise diuide themselues into three other, and so by degrees from three to three, as long as it groweth: the lowest of these are bare of leaues, hauing shed or lost them by the cold of winters, keeping onely leaues on the vppermost branches, which are long, and somewhat narrow, like in forme vnto Peach leaues, but thicker, harder, and of a darke greene colour on the vpperside, and yellowish greene vnderneath: at the tops of the young branches come forth the flowers, which in the one sort before they are open, are of an excellent bright crimson colour, and being blowen, consist of foure long and narrow leaues, round pointed, somewhat twining themselues, of a paler red colour, almost tending to blush, and in the other are white, the greene leaues also being of a little fresher colour: after the flowers are past, in the hot countries, but neuer in ours, there come vp long bending or crooked flat pods, whose outward shell is hard, almost woody, and of a browne colour, wherein is contained small flat brownish seede, wrapped in a great deale of a brownish yellow doune, as fine almost as silke, somewhat like vnto the huskes of _Asclepias_, or _Periploca_, but larger, flatter and harder; as my selfe can testifie, who had some of the pods of this Rose bay, brought mee out of Spaine, by Master Doctor Iohn More, the seedes whereof I sowed, and had diuers plants that I raised vp vnto a reasonable height, but they require, as well old as young, to bee defended from the colde of our winters.

3. _Laurocerasus._ The Bay Cherry.

This beautifull bay in his naturall place of growing, groweth to bee a tree of a reasonable bignesse and height, and oftentimes with vs also if it bee pruined from the lower branches; but more vsually in these colder Countries, it groweth as a shrub or hedge bush, shooting forth many branches, whereof the greater and lower are couered with a darke grayish greene barke, but the young ones are very greene, whereon are set many goodly, faire, large, thicke and long leaues, a little dented about the edges, of a more excellent fresh shining greene colour, and farre larger then any Bay leafe, and compared by many to the leaues of the _Pomeritron_ tree (which because wee haue none in our Countrey, cannot be so well known) both for colour and largenesse, which yeeld a most gracefull aspect: it beareth long stalkes of whitish flowers, at the ioynts of the leaues both along the branches and towards the ends of them also, like vnto the Birds Cherry or _Padus Theophrasti_, which the French men call _Putier & Cerisier blanc_, but larger and greater, consisting of fiue leaues with many threds in the middle: after which commeth the fruite or berries, as large or great as Flanders Cherries, many growing together one by another on a long stalke, as the flowers did, which are very blacke and shining on the outside, with a little point at the end, and reasonable sweete in taste, wherein is contained a hard round stone, very like vnto a Cherry stone, as I haue obserued as well by those I receiued out of Italie, as by them I had of Master Iames Cole a Merchant of London lately deceased, which grew at his house in Highgate, where there is a faire tree which hee defended from the bitternesse of the weather in winter by casting a blanket ouer the toppe thereof euery yeare, thereby the better to preserue it.

The Place.

The first is not certainly knowne from whence it came, and is
communicated by the suckers it yeeldeth. The second groweth in
Spaine, Italie, Grece, and many other places: that with white
flowers is recorded by Bellonius, to grow in Candy. The last,
as Matthiolus, and after him Clusius report, came first from
Constantinople: I had a plant hereof by the friendly gift of
Master Iames Cole, the Merchant before remembred, a great louer
of all rarities, who had it growing with him at his countrey
house in Highgate aforesaid, where it hath flowred diuers
times, and borne ripe fruit also.

The Time.

The first flowreth many times in the end of the yeare before
Christmas, and often also in Ianuary, but the most kindly time
is in March and Aprill, when the flowers are sweetest. The
second flowreth not vntill Iuly. The last in May, and the fruit
is ripe in August and September.

The Names.

The first is called _Laurus siluestris_, and _Laurus Tinus_: in
English Wilde Bay, or Sweete flowring Bay. The second is called
_Laurus Rosea_, _Oleander_, _Nerium_, and _Rhododendros_:
in English The Rose Bay, and Oleander. The last was sent by
the name of _Trebezon Curmasi_, that is to say, _Dactylus
Trapezuntina_, but not hauing any affinitie with any kinde of
Bay. Bellonius as I thinke first named it _Laurocerasus_, and
_Cerasus Trapezuntina_. Dalechampius thinketh it to bee _Lotus
Aphricana_, but Clusius refuteth it. Those stones or kernels
that were sent me out of Italie, came by the name of _Laurus
Regia_, The Kings Bay. Wee may most properly call it according
to the Latine name in the title, The Cherry bay, or Bay Cherry,
because his leaues are like vnto Bay-leaues, and both flowers
and fruit like vnto the Birdes Cherry or Cluster Cherry, for
the manner of the growing; and therefore I might more fitly
I confesse haue placed it in my Orchard among the sorts of
Cherries: but the beautifulnesse of the plant caused mee rather
to insert it here.

The Vertues.

The wilde Bay hath no propertie allotted vnto it in Physicke,
but that it is not to be endured, the berries being chewed
declare it to be so violent hot and choking. The Rose Bay is
said by Dioscorides, to be death to all foure footed beasts,
but contrariwise to man it is a remedie against the poison of
Serpents, but especially if Rue bee added vnto it. The Cherry
Bay is not knowne with vs to what physicke vse it may be
applyed.

CHAP. CIIII.

_Cerasus flore multiplici._ The Rose or double blossomd Cherry. _Malus flore multiplici._ The double blossomd Apple tree. And _Malus Persica flore multiplici._ The double blossomd Peach tree.

The beautifull shew of these three sorts of flowers, hath made me to insert them into this garden, in that for their worthinesse I am vnwilling to bee without them, although the rest of their kindes I haue transferred into the Orchard, where among other fruit trees, they shall be remembred: for all these here set downe, seldome or neuer beare any fruite, and therefore more fit for a Garden of flowers, then an Orchard of fruite.

_Cerasus flore pleno vel multiplici._ The Rose Cherry, or Double blossomd Cherry.

The double blossomed Cherry tree is of two sorts for the flower, but not differing in any other part, from the ordinary English or Flanders Cherry tree, growing in very like manner: the difference consisteth in this, that the one of these two sorts hath white flowers lesse double, that is, of two rowes or more of leaues, and the other more double, or with more rowes of leaues, and besides I haue obserued in this greater double blossomd Cherry, that some yeares most of the flowers haue had another smaller and double flower, rising vp out of the middle of the other, like as is to bee seene in the double English Crow-foote, and double redde _Ranunculus_ or Crowfoote, before described: this I say doth not happen euery yeare, but sometimes. Sometimes also these trees will giue a few berries, here and there scattered, and that with lesse double flowers more often, which are like vnto our English Cherries both for taste and bignesse. These be very fit to be set by Arbours.

1 _Cerasus flore pleno._ The double blossomd Cherry tree.
2 _Malus flore multiplici._ The double blossomd Apple tree.
3 _Malus Persica flore pleno._ The double blossomd Peach tree.
4 _Periclymenum perfoliatum._ Double Honisuckle.
5 _Periclymenum rectum._ Vpright Honisuckle.
]

_Malus flore multiplici._ The double blossomd Apple tree.

This double blossomd Apple tree is altogether like vnto our ordinary Pippin tree in body, branch and leafe, the only difference is in the flower, which is altogether whitish, sauing that the inner leaues towards the middle are more reddish, but as double and thicke as our double Damaske Roses, which fall away without bearing fruit.

_Malus Persica flore multiplici._ The double blossomd Peach tree.

This Peach tree for the manner of growing, is so like vnto an ordinary Peach tree, that vntill you see it in blossome you can perceiue no difference: the flower is of the same colour with the blossomes of the Peach, but consisting of three or foure, or more rowes of leaues, which fall often away likewise without bearing any fruite; but after it hath abiden some yeares in a place doth forme into fruite, especially being planted against a wall.

The Place.

Both the Cherry trees are frequent in many places of England,
noursed for their pleasant flowers. The Apple is as yet a
stranger. And the Peach, hath not been seen or knowne, long
before the writing hereof.

The Time.

They all flower in April & May, which are the times of their
other kinds.

The Names.

Their names are also sufficiently expressed to know them by.

The Vertues.

Cherries, Peaches and Apples, are recorded in our Orchard, and
there you shall finde the properties of their fruit: for in
that these beare none or very few, their blossomes are of most
vse to grace and decke the persons of those that will weare or
beare them.

CHAP. CV.

_Periclymenum._ Honysuckles.

The Honisuckle that groweth wilde in euery hedge, although it be very sweete, yet doe I not bring into my garden, but let it rest in his owne place, to serue their senses that trauell by it, or haue no garden. I haue three other that furnish my Garden, one that is called double, whose branches spreade far, and being very fit for an arbour will soone couer it: the other two stand vpright, and spreade not any way far, yet their flowers declaring them to be Honisuckles, but of lesse delight, I consort them with the other.

_Periclymenum perfoliatum siue Italicum._ The double Honisuckle.

The truncke or body of the double Honisuckle, is oftentimes of the bignesse of a good staffe, running out into many long spreading branches, couered with a whitish barke, which had neede of some thing to sustaine them, or else they will fall down to the ground (and therefore it is vsually planted at an arbour, that it may run thereon, or against a house wall, and fastened thereto in diuers places with nailes) from whence spring forth at seuerall distances, and at the ioynts, two leaues, being like in forme vnto the wilde Honisuckles, and round pointed for the most part; these branches diuiding themselues diuers wayes, haue at the toppes of them many flowers, set at certaine distances one aboue another, with two greene leaues at euery place, where the flowers doe stand, ioyned so close at the bottome, and so round and hollow in the middle, that it seemeth like a hollow cuppe or sawcer of flowers: the flowers stand round about the middle of these cuppes or sawcers, being long, hollow, and of a whitish yellow colour, with open mouthes dasht ouer with a light shew of purple, and some threds within them, very sweet in smell, like both in forme and colour vnto the common Honisuckles, but that these cuppes with the flowers in them are two or three standing one aboue another (which make a far better shew then the common, which come forth all at the heade of the branches, without any greene leaues or cuppes vnder them) and therefore these were called double Honisuckles.

_Periclymenum rectum fructu rubro._ Red Honisuckles.

This vpright Woodbinde hath a straight woody stemme, diuided into seuerall branches, about three or foure foote high, couered with a very thinne whitish barke, whereon stand two leaues together at the ioynts, being lesser then the former, smooth and plaine, and a little pointed: the flowers come forth vpon slender long footstalks at the ioynts where the leaues stand, alwayes two set together, and neuer more, but seldome one alone, which are much smaller then the former, but of the same fashion, with a little button at the foote of the flower; the buds of the flowers before they are open are very reddish, but being open are not so red, but tending to a kinde of yellowish blush colour: after which come in their places two small red berries, the one withered for the most part, or at least smaller then the other, but (as Clusius saith) in their naturall places they are both full and of one bignesse.

_Periclymenum rectum fructu cæruleo._ Blew berried Honisuckles.

This other vpright Woodbinde groweth vp as high as the former, or rather somewhat higher, couered with a blackish rugged barke, chapping in diuers places, the younger branches whereof are somewhat reddish, and couered with an hoary doune: the leaues stand two together at the ioints, somewhat larger then the former, and more whitish vnderneath: the flowers are likewise two standing together, at the end of a slender footestalke, of a pale yellowish colour when they are blowne, but more reddish in the bud: the berries stand two together as the former, of a darke blewish colour when they are fully ripe, and full of a red liquour or iuice, of a pleasant taste, which doth not only dye the hands of them that gather them, but serueth for a dying colour to the inhabitants where they grow plentifully, wherein are contained many flat seede: The roote is woody as the former is.

The Place.

The first groweth in Italie, Spaine, and Prouence of France,
but not in the colder countreyes, vnlesse it be there planted,
as is most frequent in our countrey. The others grow in
Austria, and Stiria, as Clusius saith, and are entertained into
their gardens onely that are curious.

The Time.

The first flowreth vsually in Aprill, the rest in May.

The Names.

The first is called _Periclymenum_, _Caprifolium perfoliatum_,
and _Italicum_, as a difference from the common kinde: In
English Double Woodbinde, or double Honisuckles. The others,
as they are rare, and little knowne, so are their names also:
yet according to their Latine, I haue giuen them English names.

The Vertues.

The double Honisuckle is as effectuall in all things, as the
single wilde kinde, and besides, is an especiall good wound
herbe for the head or other parts. I haue not knowne the
vpright kindes vsed in Physicke.

CHAP. CVI.

_Iasminum siue Gelseminum._ Iasmine or Gesmine.

We haue but one sort of true Iasmine ordinarily in our Gardens throughout the whole Land; but there is another greater sort, which is farre more tender, brought out of Spaine, and will hardly endure any long time with vs, vnlesse it be very carefully preserued. Wee haue a third kinde called a yellow Iasmine, but differeth much from their tribe in many notable points: but because the flowers haue some likenesse with the flowers of the true Iasmine, it hath been vsually called a Iasmine; and therefore I am content for this Garden to conioyne them in one Chapter.

1. _Iasminum album._ The white Iasmine.

The white Iasmine hath many twiggy flexible greene branches, comming forth of the sundry bigger boughes or stems, that rise from the roote, which are couered with a grayish darke coloured barke, hauing a white pith within it like the Elder, but not so much: the winged leaues stand alwaies two together at the ioynts, being made of manie small and pointed leaues, set on each side of a middle ribbe, six most vsually on both sides, with one at the end, which is larger, more pointed then any of the rest, and of a darke greene colour: at the toppes of the young branches stand diuers flowers together, as it were in an vmbell or tuft, each whereof standeth on a long greene stalke, comming out of a small huske, being small, long, and hollow belowe, opening into fiue white small, pointed leaues, of a very strong sweete smell, which fall away without bearing any fruit at all, that euer I could learne in our Country; but in the hot Countries where it is naturall, it is said to beare flat fruit, like Lupines: the rootes spread farre and deepe, and are long and hard to growe, vntill they haue taken strong hold in the ground.

2. _Iasminum Catalonicum._ The Spanish Iasmine.

This Catalonia Iasmine groweth lower then the former, neuer rising halfe so high, and hath slender long greene branches, rising from the toppe of the wooddy stemme, with such like leaues set on them as the former, but somewhat shorter and larger: the flowers also are like vnto the former, and stand in the same manner at the end of the branches, but are much larger, being of a blush colour before they are blowne, and white with blush edges when they are open, exceeding sweete of smell, more strong then the former.

3. _Iasminum luteum, siue Trifolium fruticans alijs Polemonium._ The yellow Iasmine.

This that is called the yellow Iasmine, hath many long slender twiggy branches rising from the roote, greene at the first, and couered with a darke grayish barke afterwards, whereon are set at certaine distances, three small darke greene leaues together, the end leafe being alwaies the biggest: at the ioynts where the leaues come forth, stand long stalkes, bearing long hollow flowers, ending in fiue, and some in six leaues, very like vnto the flowers of the first Iasmine, but yellow, whereupon it is vsually called the Yellow Iasmine: after the flowers are past, there come in their places round blacke shining berries, of the bignesse of a great Pease, or bigger, full of a purplish iuyce, which will dye ones fingers that bruise them but a little: the roote is tough, and white, creeping farre about vnder the ground, shooting forth plentifully, whereby it greatly encreaseth.

The Place.

The first is verily thought to haue been first brought to
Spaine out of Syria, or thereabouts, and from Spaine to vs, and
is to be seene very often, and in many of our Country Gardens.
The second hath his breeding in Spaine also, but whether it be
his originall place we know not, and is scarce yet made well
acquainted with our English ayre. The third groweth plentifully
about Mompelier, and will well abide in our London Gardens, and
any where else.

The Time.

The first flowreth not vntill the end of Iuly. The second
somewhat earlier. The third in Iuly also.

The Names.

The first is generally called _Iasminum album_, and _Gelseminum
album_: In English, The white Iasmine. The second hath his
name in his title, as much as may be said of it. The third
hath been taken of some to be a _Cytisus_, others iudge it to
be _Polemonium_, but the truest name is _Trifolium fruticans_,
although many call it _Iasminum luteum_: In English most
vsually, The yellow Iasmine, for the reasons aforesaid; or else
after the Latine name, Shrubbie Trefoile, or Make-bate.

The Vertues.

The white Iasmines haue beene in all times accepted into
outward medicines, eyther for the pleasure of the sweete sent,
or profit of the warming properties. And is in these dayes
onely vsed as an ornament in Gardens, or for sent of the
flowers in the house, &c. The yellow Iasmine, although some
haue adiudged it to be the _Polemonium_ of Dioscorides, yet it
is not vsed to those purposes by any that I know.

CHAP. CVII.

_Syringa._ The Pipe tree.

Vnder the name of _Syringa_, is contained two speciall kinds of Shrubs or Trees, differing one from another; namely, the _Lilac_ of Matthiolus, which is called _Syringa cærulea_, and is of two or three sorts: And the _Syringa alba_, which also is of two sorts, as shall bee declared.

1. _Lilac siue Syringa cærulea._ The blew Pipe tree.

The blew Pipe tree riseth sometimes to be a great tree, as high and bigge in the bodie as a reasonable Apple tree (as I haue in some places seene and obserued) but most vsually groweth lower, with many twigs or branches rising from the roote, hauing as much pith in the middle of them as the Elder hath, couered with a grayish greene barke, but darker in the elder branches, with ioynts set at a good distance one from another, and two leaues at euery ioynt, which are large, broad, and pointed at the ends, many of them turning or folding both the sides inward, and standing on long foote stalkes: at the toppes of the branches come forth many flowers, growing spike-fashion, that is, a long branch of flowers vpon a stalke, each of these flowers are small, long, and hollow belowe, ending aboue in a pale blewish flower, consisting of foure small leaues, of a pretty small sent: after the flowers are past, there come sometimes (but it is not often in our Country, vnlesse the tree haue stood long, and is grown great, the suckers being continually taken away, that it may growe the better) long and flat cods, consisting as it were of two sides, a thin skinne being in the midst, wherein are contained two long flattish red seede: the rootes are strong, and growe deepe in the ground.

2. _Syringa flore lacteo siue argenteo._ The siluer coloured Pipe tree.

This Pipe tree differeth not from the former blew Pipe tree, either in stemme or branches, either in leaues or flowers, or manner of growing, but onely in the colour of the flower, which in this is of a milke, or siluer colour, which is a kinde of white, wherein there is a thinne wash, or light shew of blew shed therein, comming somewhat neare vnto an ash-colour.

3. _Lilac lacimatis folijs._ The blew Pipe tree with cut leaues.

This Pipe tree should not differ from the first in any other thing then in the leaues, which are said to be cut in on the edges into seuerall parts, as the relation is giuen _à viris fide dignis_; for as yet I neuer saw any such; but I here am bold to set it downe, to induce and prouoke some louer of plants to obtaine it for his pleasure, and others also.

4. _Syringa flore albo simplici._ The single white Pipe tree.

The single white Pipe tree or bush, neuer commeth to that height of the former, but abideth alwaies like a hedge tree or bush, full of shootes or suckers from the roote, much more then the former: the young shootes hereof are reddish on the outside, and afterward reddish at the ioynts, and grayish all the rest ouer: the young as well as the old branches, haue some pith in the middle of them, like as the Elder hath: the leaues stand two at a ioynt, somewhat like the former, but more rugged or crumpled, as also a little pointed, and dented about the edges: the flowers growe at the toppes of the branches, diuers standing together, consisting of foure white leaues, like vnto small Muske Roses, and of the same creame colour, as I may call it, with many small yellowish threads in the middle, and are of a strong, full, or heady sent, not pleasing to a great many, by reason of the strange quicknesse of the sent: the fruit followeth, being flat at the head, with many leafie shels or scales compassing it, wherein is enclosed small long seede: the rootes runne not deepe, but spread vnder the ground, with many fibres annexed vnto them.

5. _Syringa Arabica flore albo duplici._ The double white Pipe tree.

This Pipe tree hath diuers long and slender branches, whereon growe large leaues, somewhat like vnto the leaues of the former single white kinde, but not so rough or hard, and not at all dented about the edges, two alwaies standing one against another at euery ioynt of the stalke, but set or disposed on contrary sides, and not all vpon one side; at the ends whereof come forth diuers flowers, euery one standing on his owne foote-stalke, the hose or huske being long and hollow, like vnto the white Iasmine, and the flowers therein consisting of a double rowe of white and round pointed leaues, fiue or six in a rowe, with some yellownesse in the middle, which is hollow, of a very strong and heady sweet sent, and abiding a long time flowring, especially in the hotter Countries, but is very tender, and not able to abide any the least cold weather with vs; for the cold windes will (as I vnderstand) greatly molest it: and therefore must as charily be kept as Orenge trees with vs, if wee will haue it to abide.

1 _Iasminum album vulgare._ The ordinary white Iasmine.
2 _Iasminum Americanum siue Convolvulus Americanus._ The Iasmine or
Bindweed of America.
3 _Iasminum luteum vulgare._ The yellow Iasmine.
4 _Lilac seu Syringa cærulea._ The blew Pipe tree.
5 _Syringa alba vulgaris._ The single white Syringa or Pipe tree.
6 _Syringa flore albo duplici._ The double white Syringa.
7 _Sambucus rosea._ The Elder or Gelder Rose.
]

The Place.

The first groweth in Arabia (as Matthiolus thinketh, that had
it from Constantinople.) We haue it plentifully in our Gardens.
The second and third are strangers with vs as yet. The fourth
is as frequent as the first, or rather more, but his originall
is not knowne. The last hath his originall from Arabia, as his
name importeth.

The Time.

The first, second, and third flower in Aprill, the other two
not vntill May.

The Names.

The first is called of Matthiolus _Lilac_, and by that name is
most vsually called in all parts. It is also called _Syringa
cærulea_, because it commeth nearest vnto those woods, which
for their pithy substance, were made hollow into pipes. It
is called of all in English, The blew Pipe tree. It seemeth
likely, that Petrus Bellonius in his third Booke and fiftieth
Chapter of his obseruations (making mention of a shrubbe that
the Turkes haue, with Iuie leaues alwaies greene, bearing
blew or violet coloured flowers on a long stalke, of the
bignesse and fashion of a Foxe taile, and thereupon called
in their language a Foxe taile) doth vnderstand this plant
here expressed. The certainty whereof might easily be knowne,
if any of our Merchants there residing, would but call for
such a shrubbe, by the name of a Foxe taile in the Turkish
tongue, and take care to send a young roote, in a small tubbe
or basket with earth by Sea, vnto vs here at London, which
would be performed with a very little paines and cost. The
second and third, as kindes thereof, haue their names in their
titles. The fourth is called by Clusius and others, _Frutex
Coronarius_; some doe call it _Lilac flore albo_, but that name
is not proper, in that it doth confound both kindes together.
Lobel calleth it _Syringa Italica_. It is now generally called
of all _Syringa alba_, that is in English, The white Pipe
tree. Some would haue it to bee _Ostrys_ of Theophrastus,
but Clusius hath sufficiently cleared that doubt. Of others
_Ligustrum Orientale_, which it cannot be neither; for the
_Cyprus_ of Plinie is Dioscorides his _Ligustrum_, which
may be called _Orientale_, in that it is most proper to the
Easterne Countries, and is very sweete, whose seede is like
vnto Coriander seede. The last is called by diuers _Syringa
Arabica flore albo duplici_, as most fitly agreeing thereunto.
Of Basilius Beslerus that set forth the great booke of the
Bishop of Eystot in Germany his Garden, _Syringa Italica
flore albo pleno_, because, as it is likely, hee had it from
Italy. It is very likely, that Prosper Alpinus in his booke of
Egyptian plants, doth meane this plant, which hee there calleth
_Sambach, siue Iasminum Arabicum_. Matthæus Caccini of Florence
in his letter to Clusius entituleth it _Syringa Arabica,
siue Iasminum Arabicum, siue Iasminum ex Gine_, whereby hee
declareth that it may not vnfitly be referred to either of them
both. We may call it in English as it is in the title, The
double white Pipe tree.

The Vertues.

We haue no vse of these in Physicke that I know, although
Prosper Alpinus saith, the double white Pipe tree is much vsed
in Egypt to help women in their trauailes of childbirth.

CHAP. CVIII.

_Sambucus Rosea._ The Elder or Gelder Rose.

Although there be diuers kindes of Elders, yet there is but one kinde of Elder Rose, whereof I meane to intreate in this Chapter, being of neare affinity in some things vnto the former Pipe trees, and which for the beauty of it deserueth to be remembred among the delights of a Garden.

_Sambucus Rosea._ The Gelder Rose.

The Gelder Rose (as it is called) groweth to a reasonable height, standing like a tree, with a trunke as bigge as any mans arme, couered with a darke grayish barke, somewhat rugged and very knotty: the younger branches are smooth and white, with a pithy substance in the middle, as the Elders haue, to shew that it is a kind thereof, whereon are set broad leaues, diuided into three parts or diuisions, somewhat like vnto a Vine leafe, but smaller, and more rugged or crumpled, iagged or cut also about the edges: at the toppes of euery one of the young branches, most vsually commeth forth a great tuft, or ball as it were, of many white flowers, set so close together, that there can be no distinction of any seuerall flower seene, nor doth it seeme like the double flower of any other plant, that hath many rowes of leaues set together, but is a cluster of white leaued flowers set together vpon the stalke that vpholdeth them, of a small sent, which fall away without bearing any fruit in our Country, that euer I could obserue or learne: The roote spreadeth neither farre nor deepe, but shooteth many small rootes and fibres, whereby it is fastened in the ground, and draweth nourishment to it, and sometimes yeeldeth suckers from it.

The Place.

It should seeme, that the naturall place of this Elder is wet
and moist grounds, because it is so like vnto the Marsh Elder,
which is the single kind hereof. It is onely noursed vp in
Gardens in all our Country.

The Time.

It flowreth in May, much about the time of the double Peony
flower, both which being set together, make a pleasant variety,
to decke vp the windowes of a house.

The Names.

It is generally called _Sambucus Rosea_: In English, The Elder
Rose, and more commonly after the Dutch name, the Gelder Rose.
Dalechampius seemeth to make it _Thraupalus_ of Theophrastus,
or rather the single Marsh Elder; for I thinke this double
kinde was not knowne in Theophrastus his time.

The Vertues.

It is not applyed to any Physicall vse that I know.

CHAP. CIX.

_Rosa._ The Rose tree or bush.

The great varietie of Roses is much to be admired, beeing more then is to bee seene in any other shrubby plant that I know, both for colour, forme and smell. I haue to furnish this garden thirty sorts at the least, euery one notably differing from the other, and all fit to be here entertained: for there are some other, that being wilde and of no beautie or smell, we forbeare, and leaue to their wilde habitations. To distinguish them by their colours, as white, red, incarnate, and yellow, were a way that many might take, but I hold it not so conuenient for diuers respects: for so I should confound those of diuers sorts one among another, and I should not keepe that methode which to me seemeth most conuenient, which is, to place and ranke euery kinde, whether single or double, one next vnto the other, that so you may the better vnderstand their varieties and differences: I will therefore beginne with the most ancient, and knowne Roses to our Countrey, whether naturall or no I know not, but assumed by our precedent Kings of all others, to bee cognisances of their dignitie, the white Rose and the red, whom shall follow the damaske, of the finest sent, and most vse of all the other sorts, and the rest in their order.

1. _Rosa Anglica alba._ The English white Rose.