Chapter IV: Front Matter (4)

Vnder this title of _Lilium Montanum_, or _Lilium Siluestre_, I do comprehend only those kindes of Lillies, which carry diuers circles of greene leaues set together at certaine distances, round about the stalke, and not sparsedly as the two former, and as other kindes that follow, doe. And although there bee many of this sort, yet because their chiefest difference is in the colour of the flower, wee will containe them all in one Chapter, and begin with the most stately of them all, because of the number of flowers it beareth vpon one stalke. The Imperiall Lilly hath a scaly roote, like vnto all the rest of the Lillies, but of a paler yellow colour, closely compact or set together, being short and small oftentimes, in comparison of the greatnesse of the stemme growing from it. The stalke is brownish and round at the bottome, and sometimes flat from the middle vpwards, three foote high or more, beset at certaine distances with rondles or circles of many broad leaues, larger and broader for the most part than any other of this kinde, and of a darke green colour: It hath two or three, and sometimes foure of these rondles or circles of leaues, and bare without any leafe betweene; but aboue toward the tops of the stalkes, it hath here and there some leaues vpon it, but smaller than any of the other leaues: at the toppe of the stalke come forth many flowers, sometime three or foure score, thicke thrust, or confusedly set together, and not thinne or sparsedly one aboue another, as in the lesser of this kinde of Mountaine Lilly. It hath been sometimes also obserued in this kinde, that it hath borne manie flowers at three seuerall spaces of the stalke, one aboue another, which hath made a goodly shew; each flower whereof is pendulous, hanging downe, and each leafe of the flower turning vp againe, being thicke or fleshy, of a fine delayed purple colour, spotted with many blackish or brownish spots, of a very pleasant sweet sent, which maketh it the more acceptable: in the middle of the flower hangeth downe a stile or pointell, knobbed or buttoned at the end with sixe yellow chiues, tipt with loose pendents of an Orient red or Vermillion colour, which will easily sticke like dust vpon any thing that toucheth them: the heads or seede vessels are small and round, with small edges about them, wherein is contained flat browne seede like other Lillies, but lesser. This root is very apt to encrease or set of, as we call it, wherby the plant seldome commeth to so great a head of flowers, but riseth vp with many stalkes, and then carry fewer flowers.

[Sidenote: _Martagon Imperiale flore non punctato._]

Of this kinde there is sometimes one found, that beareth flowers without any spots: the leaues whereof and stalke likewise are paler, but not else differing.

_Martagon flore albo._ The White Martagon.

We haue also some other of this kind, the first wherof hath his stalke & leafe greener than the former, the stalke is a little higher, but not bearing so thicke a head of flowers, although much more plentifull than the lesser Mountaine Lilly, being altogether of a fine white colour, without any spots, or but very few, and that but sometimes also: the pendents in the middle of this flower are not red, as the former, but yellow; the roote of this, and of the other two that follow, are of a pale yellow colour, the cloues or scales of them being brittle, and not closely compact, yet so as if two, and sometimes three scales or cloues grew one vpon the head or vpperpart of another; which difference is a speciall note to know these three kindes, from any other kinde of Mountaine Lilly, as in all old rootes that I haue seene, I haue obserued, as also in them that are reasonably well growne, but in the young rootes it is not yet so manifest.

_Martagon flore albo maculato._ The White spotted Martagon.

The second is like vnto the first in all things, saue in this, that the flowers hereof are not altogether so white, and besides hath many reddish spots on the inside of the leaues of the flower, and the stalke also is not so greene but brownish.

_Martagon flore carneo._ The blush Martagon.

A third sort there is of this kinde, whole flowers are wholly of a delayed flesh colour, with many spots on the flowers, and this is the difference hereof from the former.

_Lilium Montanum siue siluestre minus._ The lesser Mountaine Lilly.

The lesser Mountaine Lilly is so like in root vnto the greater that is first described, that it is hard to distinguish them asunder; but when this is sprung vp out of the ground, which is a moneth after the first: it also carrieth his leaues in rondles about the stalke, although not altogether so great nor so many. The flowers are more thinly set on the stalkes one aboue another, with more distance betweene each flower than the former, and are of a little deeper flesh colour or purple, spotted in the same manner. The buds or heads of flowers, in some of these before they be blowne, are hoary white, or hairie, whereas in others, there is no hoarinesse at all, but the buddes are smooth and purplish: in other things this differeth not from the former.

[Sidenote: _Lilium Montanum non maculatum._]

Of this sort also there is one that hath but few spots on the flowers, whose colour is somewhat paler than the other.

1 _Martagon flore albo._ The white Martagon.
2 _Martagon siue Lilium Canadense maculatum._ The spotted Martagon,
or Lilly of Canada.
3 _Martagon Pomponeum._ The Martagon Pompony, or early red Martagon.
]

_Martagon Canadense maculatum._ The spotted Martagon of Canada.

Although this strange Lilly hath not his flowers hanging downe, and turning vp again, as the former kinds set forth in this Chapter, yet because the green leaues stand at seuerall ioynts as they do, I must needs insert it here, not knowing where more fitly to place it. It hath a small scaly roote, with many small long fibres thereat, from whence riseth vp a reasonable great stalke, almost as high as any of the former, bearing at three or foure distances many long and narrow greene leaues, but not so many or so broad as the former, with diuers ribbes in them: from among the vppermost rundle of leaues breake forth foure or fiue flowers together, euery one standing on a long slender foote stalke, being almost as large as a red Lilly, but a little bending downewards, and of a faire yellow colour, spotted on the inside with diuers blackish purple spots or strakes, hauing a middle pointell, and sixe chiues, with pendents on them.

The Place.

All these Lillies haue been found in the diuers Countries of
Germany, as Austria, Hungaria, Pannonia, Stiria, &c. and are
all made Denisons in our London Gardens, where they flourish as
in their owne naturall places. The last was brought into France
from Canada by the French Colonie, and from thence vnto vs.

The Time.

They flower about the later end of Iune for the most part, yet
the first springeth out of the ground a moneth at the least
before the other, which are most vsually in flower before it,
like vnto the Serotine Tulipas, all of them being early vp, and
neuer the neere.

The Names.

The first is vsually called _Martagon Imperiale_, the Imperiall
Martagon, and is _Lilium Montanum maius_, the greatest
Mountaine Lilly; for so it deserueth the name, because of the
number of flowers vpon a head or stalke. Some haue called it
_Lilium Sarasenicum_, and some _Hemerocallis_, but neither of
them doth so fitly agree vnto it.

The second is _Lilium Montanum maius flore albo_, and of some
_Martagon Imperiale flore albo_, but most vsually _Martagon
flore albo_, the white Martagon. The second sort of this second
kinde, is called _Martagon flore albo maculato_, the spotted
white Martagon. And the third, _Martagon flore carneo_, the
blush Martagon.

The third kinde is called _Lilium Montanum_, the Mountaine
Lilly, and some adde the title _minus_, the lesser, to know it
more distinctly from the other. Some also _Lilium Siluestre_,
as Clusius, and some others, and of Matthiolus _Martagon_. Of
diuers women here in England, from the Dutch name, Lilly of
Nazareth. The last hath his title _Americanum & Canadense_, and
in English accordingly.

CHAP. IV.

1. _Martagon Pomponeum siue Lilium rubrum præcox, vel Lilium Macedonicum._ The early red Martagon, or Martagon Pompony.

As in the former Chapter we described vnto you such Lillies, whose flowers being pendulous, turne their leaues backe againe, and haue their greene leaues, set by spaces about the stalke: so in this wee will set downe those sorts, which carry their greene leaues more sparsedly, and all along the stalke, their flowers hanging downe, and turning vp againe as the former, and begin with that which is of greatest beauty, or at least of most rarity.

[Sidenote: 1. Martagon Pomponeum angusti folium praecox.]

1. This rare Martagon hath a scaly root closely compact, with broader and thinner scales than others, in time growing very great, and of a more deepe yellow colour then the former, from whence doth spring vp a round greene stalke in some plants, and flat in others, two or three foote high, bearing a number of small, long, and narrow greene leaues, very like vnto the leaues of Pinkes, but greener, set very thicke together, and without order about the stalke, vp almost vnto the toppe, and lesser by degrees vpwards, where stand many flowers, according to the age of the plant, and thriuing in the place where it groweth; in those that are young, but a few, and more sparsedly, and in others that are old many more, and thicker set: for I haue reckoned threescore flowers and more, growing thicke together on one plant with mee, and an hundred flowers on another: these flowers are of a pale or yellowish red colour, and not so deep red as the red Martagon of Constantinople, hereafter set down, nor fully so large: yet of the same fashion, that is, euery flower hanging downe, and turning vp his leaues againe. It is not so plentifull in bearing of seede as the other Lillies, but when it doth, it differeth not but in being lesse.

[Sidenote: 2. Martagon angusti folium magis serotinum.]

There is another, whose greene leaues are not so thicke set on the stalke, but else differeth not but in flowring a fortnight later.

[Sidenote: 3. Martagon Pomponeum latifolium praecox.]

There is another also of this kind, so like vnto the former in root, stalk, flower, & maner of growing, that the difference is hardly discerned; but consisteth chiefly in these two points: First, that the leaues of this are a little broader and shorter then the former; and secondly, that it beareth his flowers a fortnight earlier than the first. In the colour or forme of the flower, there can no difference bee discerned, nor (as I said) in any other thing. All these Lillies doe spring very late out of the ground, euen as the yellow Martagons doe, but are sooner in flower then any others.

[Sidenote: 4. Martagon flore phaeniceo.]

A fourth kinde hereof hath of late been knowne to vs, whose leaues are broader and shorter than the last, and the flowers of a paler red, tending to yellow, of some called a golden red colour: but flowreth not so early as they.

2. _Lilium rubrum Byzantinum, siue Martagon Constantinopolitanum._ The red Martagon of Constantinople.

1. The red Martagon of Constantinople is become so common euery where, and so well knowne to all louers of these delights, that I shall seeme vnto them to lose time, to bestow many lines vpon it; yet because it is so faire a flower, and was at the first so highly esteemed, it deserueth his place and commendations, howsoeuer encreasing the plenty hath not made it dainty. It riseth out of the ground early in the spring, before many other Lillies, from a great thicke yellow scaly root, bearing a round brownish stalke, beset with many faire greene leaues confusedly thereon, but not so broad as the common white Lilly, vpon the toppe whereof stand one, two, or three, or more flowers, vpon long footestalkes, which hang downe their heads, and turne vp their leaues againe, of an excellent red crimson colour, and sometimes paler, hauing a long pointell in the middle, compassed with sixe whitish chiues, tipt with loose yellow pendents, of a reasonable good sent, but somewhat faint. It likewise beareth seede in heads, like vnto the other, but greater.

_Martagon Constantinopolitanum maculatum._ The red spotted Martagon of Constantinople.

We haue another of this kinde, that groweth somewhat greater and higher, with a larger flower, and of a deeper colour, spotted with diuers blacke spots, or strakes and lines, as is to be seene in the Mountaine Lillies, and in some other hereafter to be described; but is not so in the former of this kinde, which hath no shew of spots at all. The whole plant as it is rare, so it is of much more beauty than the former.

2. _Martagon Pannonicum, siue Exoticum flore spadiceo._ The bright red Martagon of Hungarie.

Although this Martagon or Lilly bee of another Countrey, yet by reason of the neerenesse both in leafe and flower vnto the former, may more fitly be placed next vnto them, then in any other place. It hath his roote very like the other, but the leaues are somewhat larger, and more sparsedly set vpon the stalke, else not much vnlike: the flowers bend downe, and turne vp their leaues againe, but somewhat larger, and of a bright red, tending to an Orenge colour, that is, somewhat yellowish, and not crimson, like the other.

3. _Martagon Luteum punctatum._ The Yellow spotted Martagon.

1. This Yellow Martagon hath a great scaly or cloued roote, and yellow, like vnto all these sorts of turning Lillies, from whence springeth vp a round greene strong stalke, three foote high at the least, confusedly set with narrow long greene leaues, white on the edges vp to the very toppe thereof almost, hauing diuers flowers on the head, turning vp againe as the former doe, of a faint yellowish, or greenish yellow colour, with many blacke spots or strakes about the middle of the leafe of euery flower, and a forked pointell, with sixe chiues about it, tipt with reddish pendents, of a heauie strong smell, not very pleasant to many. It beareth seede very plentifully, in great heads, like vnto the other former Lillies, but a little paler.

2. _Martagon Luteum non maculatum._ The Yellow Martagon without spots.

The other yellow Martagon differeth in no other thing from the former, but onely that it hath no spots at all vpon any of the leaues of the flowers; agreeing with the former, in colour, forme, height, and all things else.

3. _Martagon Luteum serotinum._ The late flowring Yellow Martagon.

There is yet another yellow Martagon, that hath no other difference then the time of his flowring, which is not vntill Iuly, vnlesse in this, that the flower is of a deeper yellow colour.

The Place.

The knowledge of the first kindes of these early Martagons
hath come from Italy, from whence they haue bin sent into the
Low-Countries, and to vs, and, as it seemeth by the name,
whereby they haue bin sent by some into these parts, his
originall should be from the mountaines in Macedonia.

The second sort is sufficiently knowne by his name, being first
brought from Constantinople, his naturall place being not
farre from thence, as it is likely. But the next sort of this
second kinde, doth plainly tell vs his place of birth to be the
mountaines of Pannonia or Hungarie.

The third kindes grow on the Pyrenæan mountains, where they
haue been searched out, and found by diuers louers of plants,
as also in the Kingdome of Naples.

The Time.

The first early Martagons flower in the end of May, or
beginning of Iune, and that is a moneth at the least before
those that come from Constantinople, which is the second kinde.
The two first yellow Martagons flower somewhat more early, then
the early red Martagons, and sometimes at the same time with
them. But the third yellow Martagon, as is said, flowreth a
moneth later or more, and is in flower when the red Martagon of
Constantinople flowreth. And although the early red and yellow
Martagons, spring later then the other Martagons or Lillies,
yet they are in flower before them.

The Names.

The first early red Lillies or Martagons haue beene sent vnto
vs by seuerall names, as _Martagon Pomponeum_, and thereafter
are called Martagon of Pompony, and also _Lilium_ or _Martagon
Macedonicum_, the Lilly or Martagon of Macedonia. They are also
called by Clusius _Lilium rubrum præcox_, the one _angustiore
folio_, the other _latiore folio_. And the last of this kinde
hath the title _flore phæniceo_ added or giuen vnto it, that
is, the Martagon or Lilly of Macedonia with gold red flowers.

The Martagons of Constantinople haue beene sent by the Turkish
name _Zufiniare_, and is called _Martagon_, or _Lilium
Byzantinum_ by some, and _Hemerocallis Chalcedonica_ by others;
but by the name of the Martagon of Constantinople they are most
commonly receiued with vs, with the distinction of _maculatum_
to the one, to distinguish the sorts. The last kinde in this
_classis_, hath his name in his title, as it hath been sent
vnto vs.

The Yellow Martagons are distinguished in their seuerall
titles, as much as is conuenient for them.

CHAP. V.

_Lilium Aureum & Lilium Rubrum._ The Gold and Red Lillies.

There are yet some other kindes of red Lillies to bee described, which differ from all the former, and remaine to be spoken of in this place. Some of them grow high, and some lowe, some haue small knots, which wee call bulbes, growing vpon the stalkes, at the ioynts of the leaues or flowers, and some haue none: all which shall be intreated of in their seuerall orders.

_Lilium pumilum cruentum._ The dwarfe red Lilly.

The dwarfe red Lilly hath a scaly roote, somewhat like vnto other Lillies, but white, and not yellow at all, and the cloues or scales thicker, shorter, and fewer in number, then in most of the former: the stalke hereof is not aboue a foote and a halfe high, round and greene, set confusedly with many faire and short greene leaues, on the toppe of which doe stand sometimes but a few flowers, and sometimes many, of a faire purplish red colour, and a little paler in the middle, euery flower standing vpright, and not hanging downe, as in the former, on the leaues whereof here and there are some blacke spots, lines or markes, and in the middle of the flower a long pointell, with some chiues about it, as is in the rest of these Lillies.

[Sidenote: _Lilium rubrum multiplici flore._]

This kinde is sometimes found to yeeld double flowers, as if all the single flowers should grow into one, and so make it consist of many leaues, which notwithstanding his so continuing sundry yeares, vpon transplanting, will _redire ad ingenium_, that is, quickly come againe to his old byas or forme.

1 _Martagon rubrum siue luteum._ The red or the yellow Martagon.
2 _Lilium Bulbiferum._ The red bulbed Lilly.
3 _Lilium aureum._ The gold red Lilly.
4 _Lilium album._ The white Lilly.
]

_Lilium Aureum._ The Gold red Lilly.

The second red Lilly without bulbes groweth much higher then the first, and almost as high as any other Lilly: the roote hereof is white and scaly, the leaues are somewhat longer, and of a darke or sad greene colour; the flowers are many and large, standing vpright as all these sorts of red Lillies doe, of a paler red colour tending to an Orenge on the inside, with many blacke spots and lines on them, as in the former, and more yellow on the outside: the seede vessels are like vnto the roundish heads of other Lillies, and so are the seedes in them likewise.

1. _Lilium minus bulbiferum._ The dwarfe bulbed Lilly.

The first of the Lillies that carrieth bulbes on the stalke, hath a white scaly roote like the former; from whence riseth vp a small round stalke, not much higher then the first dwarfe Lilly, seeming to be edged, hauing many leaues thereon of a sad green colour set about it, close thrust together: the greene heads for flowers, will haue a kind of woollinesse on them, before the flowers begin to open, and betweene these heads of flowers, as also vnder them, and among the vppermost leaues, appeare small bulbes or heads, which being ripe if they be put into the ground, or if they fall of themselues, will shoote forth leaues, and beare flowers within two or three yeares like the mother plant, and so will the bulbes of the other hereafter described: the flowers of this Lilly are of a faire gold yellow colour, shadowed ouer with a shew of purple, but not so red as the first, or the next to bee described. This Lilly will shoote strings vnder ground, like as the last red Lilly will doe also, whereat will grow white bulbed roots, like the rootes of the mother plant, thereby quickly encreasing it selfe.

2. _Lilium Cruentum bulbiferum._ The Fierie red bulbed Lilly.

The second bulbed Lilly riseth vp with his stalke as high as any of these Lillies, carrying many long and narrow darke greene leaues about it, and at the toppe many faire red flowers, as large or larger then any of the former, and of a deeper red colour, with spots on them likewise, hauing greater bulbes growing about the toppe of the stalke and among the flowers, then any else.

_Lilium Cruentum flore pleno._ The Fierie red double Lilly.

The difference of this doth chiefly consist in the flower, which is composed of manie leaues, as if many flowers went to make one, spotted with black spots, and without any bulbes when it thus beareth, which is but accidentall, as the former double Lilly is said to be.

3. _Lilium maius bulbiferum._ The greater bulbed red Lilly.

The third red Lilly with bulbes, riseth vp almost as high as the last, and is the most common kinde we haue bearing bulbes. It hath many leaues about the stalke, but not of so sad a greene colour as the former: the flowers are of as pale a reddish yellow colour as any of the former, and comming neerest vnto the colour of the Gold red Lilly. This is more plentifull in bulbes, and in shooting strings, to encrease rootes vnder ground, then the others.

The Place.

These Lillies doe all grow in Gardens, but their naturall
places of growing is the Mountaines and the Vallies neere
them in Italy, as Matthiolus saith: and in many Countries of
Germany, as Hungarie, Austria, Stiria, and Bohemia, as Clusius
and other doe report.

The Time.

They flower for the most part in Iune, yet the first of these
is the earliest of all the rest.

The Names.

All these Lillies are called _Lilia Rubra_, Red Lillies:
Some call them _Lilium Aureum_, _Lilium Purpureum_, _Lilium
Puniceum_, _&_ _Lilium Cruentum_. Some also call them _Martagon
Chimistarum_. Clusius calleth these bulbed Lillies _Martagon
Bulbiferum_. It is thought to be _Hyacinthus Poetarum_, but I
referre the discussing thereof to a fitter time. Wee haue, to
distinguish them most fitly (as I take it) giuen their proper
names in their seuerall titles.

CHAP. VI.

_Lilium Album._ The White Lilly.

Now remaineth onely the White Lilly, of all the whole family or stocke of the Lillies, to bee spoken of, which is of two sorts. The one is our common or vulgar White Lilly; and the other, that which was brought from Constantinople.

_Lilium Album vulgare._ The ordinary White Lilly.

The ordinary White Lilly scarce needeth any description, it is so well knowne, and so frequent in euery Garden; but to say somewhat thereof, as I vse to doe of euery thing, be it neuer so common and knowne; it hath a cloued or scaly roote, yellower and bigger then any of the red Lillies: the stalke is of a blackish greene colour, and riseth as high as most of the Lillies, hauing many faire, broad, and long greene leaues thereon, larger and longer beneath, and smaller vpon the stalke vpwards; the flowers are many or few, according to the age of the plant, fertility of the soile, and time of standing where it groweth: and stand vpon long greene footstalkes, of a faire white colour, with a long pointell in the middle, and white chiues tipt with yellow pendents about it; the smell is somewhat heady and strong.

_Lilium Album Byzantinum._ The White Lilly of Constantinople.

The other White Lilly, differeth but little from the former White Lilly, either in roote, leafe, or flower, but only that this vsually groweth with more number of flowers, then euer we saw in our ordinary White Lilly: for I haue seene the stalke of this Lilly turne flat, of the breadth of an hand, bearing neere two hundred flowers vpon a head, yet most commonly it beareth not aboue a dozen, or twenty flowers, but smaller then the ordinary, as the greene leaues are likewise.

The Place.

The first groweth onely in Gardens, and hath not beene declared
where it is found wilde, by any that I can heare of. The other
hath beene sent from Constantinople, among other rootes, and
therefore is likely to grow in some parts neere thereunto.

The Time.

They flower in Iune or thereabouts, but shoote forth greene
leaues in Autumne, which abide greene all the Winter, the
stalke springing vp betweene the lower leaues in the Spring.

The Names.

It is called _Lilium Album_, the White Lilly, by most Writers;
but by Poets _Rosa Iunonis_, Iuno’s Rose. The other hath his
name in his title.

The Vertues.

This Lilly aboue all the rest, yea, and I thinke this onely,
and none of the rest is vsed in medicines now adayes, although
in former times Empericks vsed the red; and therefore I haue
spoken nothing of them in the end of their Chapters, reseruing
what is to be said in this. This hath a mollifying, digesting,
and cleansing quality, helping to suppurate tumours, and
to digest them, for which purpose the roote is much vsed.
The water of the flowers distilled, is of excellent vertue
for women in trauell of childe bearing, to procure an easie
deliuery, as Matthiolus and Camerarius report. It is vsed also
of diuers women outwardly, for their faces to cleanse the skin,
and make it white and fresh. Diuers other properties there are
in these Lillies, which my purpose is not to declare in this
place. Nor is it the scope of this worke; this that hath been
said is sufficient: for were it not, that I would giue you some
taste of the qualities of plants (as I said in my Preface) as
I goe along with them, a generall worke were fitter to declare
them then this.

CHAP. VII.

_Fritillaria._ The checkerd Daffodill.

Although diuers learned men do by the name giuen vnto this delightfull plant, thinke it doth in some things partake with a Tulipa or Daffodill, and haue therefore placed it betweene them; yet I, finding it most like vnto a little Lilly, both in roote, stalke, leafe, flower, and seede, haue (as you see here) placed it next vnto the Lillies, and before them. Hereof there are many sorts found out of late, as white, red, blacke, and yellow, besides the purple, which was first knowne; and of each of them there are also diuers sorts: and first of that which is most frequent, and then of the rest, euery one in his place and order.

1. _Fritillaria vulgaris._ The common checkerd Daffodill.

The ordinary checkerd Daffodill (as it is vsually called, but might more properly be called the small checkerd Lilly) hath a small round white roote, and somewhat flat, made as it were of two cloues, and diuided in a maner into two parts, yet ioyning together at the bottome or seate of the roote, which holdeth them both together: from betweene this cleft or diuision, the budde for the stalke &c. appeareth, which in time riseth vp a foote, or a foote and a halfe high, being round and of a brownish greene colour, especially neere vnto the ground, whereon there standeth dispersedly foure or fiue narrow long and greene leaues, being a little hollow: at the toppe of the stalke, betweene the vpper leaues (which are smaller then the lowest) the flower sheweth it selfe, hanging or turning downe the head, but not turning vp againe any of his leaues, as some of the Lillies before described doe; (sometimes this stalke beareth two flowers, and very seldome three) consisting of sixe leaues, of a reddish purple colour, spotted diuersly with great spots, appearing like vnto square checkers, of a deeper colour; the inside of the flower is of a brighter colour then the outside, which hath some greennesse at the bottome of euery leafe: within the flower there appeare sixe chiues tipt with yellow pendents, and a three-forked stile or pointell compassing a greene head, which when the flower is past, riseth vpright againe, and becommeth the seede vessell, being somewhat long and round, yet hauing a small shew of edges, flat at the head, like the head of a Lilly, and without any crowne as the Tulipa hath, wherein is contained pale coloured flat seede, like vnto that of a Lilly, but smaller.

[Sidenote: _Fritillaria vulgaris pallidior, praecox, & serotina._]

There is some variety to be seene in this flower; for in some the colour is paler, and in others againe of a very high or deepe colour: sometimes also they haue eight leaues, and sometimes ten or twelue, as if two flowers were made one, which some thereupon haue called a Double Fritillaria. Some of them likewise doe flower very early, euen with or before the early flowring Tulipas; and some againe flower not vntill a moneth or more after the former.

1 _Fritillaria vulgaris._ The common Fritillaria.
2 _Fritillaria flore atrorubente._ The dark red Fritillaria.
4 _Fritillaria alba._ The white Fritillaria.
7 _Fritillaria lutea punctata._ The yellow checkerd Fritillaria.
8 _Fritillaria lutea Italica._ The great yellow Italian Fritillaria.
10 _Fritillaria lutea Lusitanica._ The small yellow Fritillaria
of Portugal.
11 _Fritillaria Pyrenæa._ The blacke Fritillaria.
12 _Fritillaria umbellifera._ The Spanish blacke Fritillaria.
]

2. _Fritillaria flore atrorubente._ The bloud red Fritillaria.

The roote of this Fritillaria is somewhat rounder and closer then the former, from whence the stalke riseth vp, being shorter and lower then in any other of these kindes, hauing one or two leaues thereon, and at the top thereof two or three more set closer together, which are broader, shorter, and whiter then any of them before, almost like vnto the leaues of the yellow Fritillaria, from among which toppe leaues commeth forth the flower, somewhat bending downe, or rather standing forth, being larger then any of the former, and almost equall in bignesse vnto the yellow Fritillaria, of a duskie gray colour all ouer on the outside, and of a very darke red colour on the inside, diuersly spotted or straked: this very hardly encreaseth by the roote, and as seldome giueth ripe seede, but flowreth with the other first sorts, and before the blacke, and abideth lesse time in flower then any.

3. _Fritillaria maxima purpurea siue rubra._ The great purple or red Fritillaria.

This great Fritillaria hath his roote equall to the bignesse of the rest of his parts, from whence riseth vp one, & oftentimes two stalks, hauing one, two or three flowers a peece on them, as nature and the seasons are fitting: euery one of these flowers are larger and greater then any of the former described, and pendulous as they are, of a sad red or purplish colour, with many thwart lines on them, and small long markes, which hardly seeme checkerwise, nor are so eminent or conspicuous as in the former: the stalke is strong and high, whereon are set diuers long whitish greene leaues, larger and broader then those of the former.

4. _Fritillaria alba._ The white Fritillaria.

The white Fritillaria is so like vnto the first, that I shall not neede to make another description of this: it shall (I hope) be sufficient to shew the chiefe differences, and so proceed to the rest. The stalke and leaues of this are wholly greene, whereby it may easily be knowne from the former, which, as is said, is brownish at the bottome. The flower is white, without almost any shew of spot or marke in it, yet in some the markes are somewhat more plainly to be seene, and in some againe there is a shew of a faint kinde of blush colour to be seene in the flower, especially in the inside, the bottomes of the leaues of euery flower sometimes are greenish, hauing also a small list of greene, comming downe towards the middle of each leafe: the head or seede vessell, as also the seede and the roote, are so like vnto the former, that the most cunning cannot distinguish them.

5. _Fritillaria flore duplici albicante._ The double blush Fritillaria.

This Fritillaria hath a round flattish white roote, very like vnto the last Fritillaria, bearing a stalke with long greene leaues thereon, little differing from it, or the first ordinary Fritillaria: the flower is said to be constant, composed of many leaues, being ten at the least, and most vsually twelue, of a pale whitish purple colour, spotted like vnto the paler ordinary Fritillaria that is early, so that one would verily thinke it were but an accidentall kinde thereof, whereas it is (as is said before) held to bee constant, continuing in this manner.

6. _Fritillaria flore luteo puro._ The pure yellow Fritillaria.

The pure yellow Fritillaria hath a more round, and not so flat a whitish roote as the former kindes, and of a meane bignesse; from the middle riseth vp a stalke a foote and a halfe high, and sometimes higher, whereon are set without order diuers long and somewhat broad leaues of a whitish greene colour, like vnto the leaues of the blacke Fritillaria, but not aboue halfe so broad: the flower is somewhat small and long, not much vnlike to the blacke for shape and fashion, but that the leaues are smaller and rounder pointed, of a faint yellowish colour, without any shew of spots or checkers at all, eyther within or without the flower, hauing some chiues and yellow pendents in the middle, as is to be seene in all of them: the seede is like the first kinde.

7. _Fritillaria flore luteo vario siue punctato._ The checkerd yellow Fritillaria.

This Fritillaria groweth not much lower then the former, and brownish at the rising vp, hauing his leaues whiter, broader, and shorter then it, and almost round pointed. The flower is greater, and larger spread then any other before, of a faire pale yellow colour, spotted in very good order, with fine small checkers, which adde a wonderfull pleasing beauty thereunto: it hath also some lists of greene running downe the backe of euery leafe. It seldome giueth seede; the roote also is like the other, but not so flat.

8. _Fritillaria lutea maxima Italica._ The great yellow Italian Fritillaria.

This kinde of Fritillaria riseth vp with a round and browne greene stalke, whereon are set diuers leaues somewhat broad and short, which compasse the stalke at the bottome of them, of a darke greene colour; at the toppe of the stalke, which bendeth a little downewards, doe most vsually stand three or foure leaues, betweene which commeth forth most vsually but one flower, which is longer then the last, hanging downe the head as all the others doe, consisting of sixe leaues, of a darke yellowish purple colour, spotted with some small red checkers. This kinde flowreth late, and not vntill all the rest are past.

9. _Fritillaria Italorum polyanthos flore parno._ The small Italian Fritillaria.

This small Italian Fritillaria carrieth more store of flowers on the stalke, but they are much smaller, and of a yellowish greene colour, spotted with long and small darke red checkers or markes: the stalke hath diuers small short greene leaues thereon, vnto the very toppe.

10. _Fritillaria lutea Iuncifolia Lusitanica._ The small yellow Fritillaria of Portugall.

The leaues of this Fritillaria are so small, narrow and long, that it hath caused them to take the name of rushes, as if you should call it, The rush leafed Fritillaria, which stand on a long weake round stalke, set without order the flower is small and yellow, but thicker checkerd with red spots then any of the other yellow Fritillaria’s; the stalk of the flower, at the head thereof, being also of a yellowish colour.

11. _Fritillaria Pyrenæa siue Apenninea._ The blacke Fritillaria.

The roote of this kinde doth often grow so great, that it seemeth like vnto the roote of a small Crowne Imperiall: the stalke is strong, round, and high, set without order, with broader and whiter greene leaues then any of the former, bearing one, two, or three flowers; sometimes at the toppe, being not so large as those of the ordinary purple Fritillaria, but smaller, longer, and rounder, sometimes a little turning vp the brims or edges of the leaues againe, and are of a yellowish shining greene colour on the inside, sometimes spotted with red spots almost through the whole inside of the flower, vnto the very edge, which abideth of a pale yellow colour, and sometimes there are very few spots to be seene, and those from the middle onely on the inside (for on the outside there neuer appeareth any spots at all in this kinde) and sometimes with no shew of spots at all, sometimes also of a more pale greene, and sometime of a more yellow colour: the outside of the flowers doe likewise vary, for in some the outside of the leaues are of a darke sullen yellow, &c. else more pale yellow, and in other of a darke purplish yellow colour, which in some is so deepe, and so much, that it rather seemeth blacke then purple or yellow, and this especially about the bottome of the flower, next vnto the stalke, but the edges are still of a yellowish greene: the head of seede, and the seede likewise is like vnto the former, but bigger in all respects.

12. _Fritillaria Hispanica vmbellifera._ The Spanish blacke Fritillaria.

This Fritillaria is no doubt of kindred to the last recited, it is so like, but greater in all parts thereof, as if growing in a more fruitfull soile, it were the stronger and lustier to beare more store of flowers: the flowers grow foure or fiue from the head together, hanging downe round about the stalke, like vnto a Crowne Imperiall, and are of a yellowish greene colour on the inside, spotted with a few red spots, the outside being blackish as the former.

The Place.

The first of these plants was first brought to our knowledge
from France, where it groweth plentifully about Orleance;
the other sorts grow in diuers other Countries, as some in
Portugall, Spaine, Italy, &c. as their names doe import, and
as in time they haue been obserued by those that were curious
searchers of these rarities, haue been sent to vs.

The Time.

The early kindes doe flower in the beginning of Aprill or
thereabouts, according to the mildenesse or sharpenesse of the
precedent Winter. The other doe flower after the first are
past, for a moneths space one after another, and the great
yellow is very late, not flowring vntill about the middle or
end of May.

The Names.

This hath receiued diuers names: some calling it _Flos
Meleagridis_, the Ginny Hen Flower, of the variety of the
colours in the flower, agreeing with the feathers of that
Bird. Some call it _Narcissus Caparonius_, of the name of the
first inuentor or finder thereof, called Noel Caperon, an
Apothecary dwelling in Orleance, at the time he first found it,
and was shortly after the finding thereof taken away in the
Massacre in France. It is now generally called _Fritillaria_,
of the word _Fritillus_, which diuers doe take for the Chesse
borde or table whereon they play, whereunto, by reason of the
resemblance of the great squares or spots so like it, they did
presently referre it. It is called by Lobel _Lilionarcissus
purpureus variegatus, & sessulatus_, making it a kinde of
Tulipa; but as I said in the beginning of the Chapter, it
doth most neerely resemble a small pendulous Lilly, and might
therefore rightly hold the name of _Lilium variegatum_, or
in English, the checkerd Lilly. But because the errour which
first referred it to a Daffodill, is growne strong by custome
of continuance, I leaue to euery one their owne will, to call
it in English eyther Fritillaria, as it is called of most, or
the checkerd Daffodill, or the Ginnie Hen flower, or, as I doe,
the checkerd Lilly. I shall not neede in this place further to
explaine the seuerall names of euery of them, hauing giuen you
them in their titles.

The Vertues.

I haue not found or heard by any others of any property
peculiar in this plant, to be applied either inwardly or
outwardly for any disease: the chiefe or onely vse thereof
is, to be an ornament for the Gardens of the curious louers
of these delights, and to be worne of them abroad, which for
the gallant beauty of many of them, deserueth their courteous
entertainment, among many other the like pleasures.

CHAP. VIII.

_Tulipa._ The Turkes Cap.

Next vnto the Lillies, and before the Narcissi or Daffodils, the discourse of Tulipas deserueth his place, for that it partaketh of both their natures; agreeing with the Lillies in leaues, flowers, and seede, and somewhat with the Daffodils in rootes. There are not onely diuers kindes of Tulipas, but sundry diuersities of colours in them, found out in these later dayes by many the searchers of natures varieties, which haue not formerly been obserued: our age being more delighted in the search, curiosity, and rarities of these pleasant delights, then any age I thinke before. But indeede, this flower, aboue many other, deserueth his true commendations and acceptance with all louers of these beauties, both for the stately aspect, and for the admirable varietie of colours, that daily doe arise in them, farre beyond all other plants that grow, in so much, that I doubt, although I shall in this Chapter set downe the varieties of a great many, I shall leaue more vnspoken of, then I shall describe; for I may well say, there is in this one plant no end of diuersity to be expected, euery yeare yeelding a mixture and variety that hath not before been obserued, and all this arising from the sowing of the seede. The chiefe diuision of Tulipas, is into two sorts: _Præcoces_, early flowring Tulipas, and _Serotinæ_, late flowring Tulipas. For that sort which is called _Mediæ_ or _Dubiæ_, that is, which flower in the middle time betweene them both, and may be thought to be a kinde or sort by it selfe, as well as any of the other two: yet because they doe neerer participate with the _Serotinæ_ then with the _Præcoces_, not onely in the colour of the leafe, being of the same greennesse with the _Serotinæ_, and most vsually also, for that it beareth his stalke and flower, high and large like as the _Serotinæ_ doe; but especially, for that the seede of a _Media Tulipa_ did neuer bring forth a _Præcox_ flower (although I know Clusius, an industrious, learned, and painfull searcher and publisher of these rarities, saith otherwise) so farre as euer I could, by mine owne care or knowledge, in sowing their seede apart, or the assurance of any others, the louers and sowers of Tulipa seede, obserue, learne, or know: and because also that the seede of the _Serotinæ_ bringeth forth _Medias_, and the seede of _Medias Serotinæ_, they may well bee comprehended vnder the generall title of _Serotinæ_: But because they haue generally receiued the name _Mediæ_, or middle flowring Tulipas, to distinguish between them, and those that vsually doe flower after them; I am content to set them downe, and speake of them seuerally, as of three sorts. Vnto the place and ranke likewise of the _Præcoces_, or early flowring Tulipas, there are some other seuerall kinds of Tulipas to be added, which are notably differing, not onely from the former _Præcox Tulipa_, but euery one of them, one from another, in some speciall note or other: as the _Tulipa Boloniensis flore rubro_, the red Bolonia Tulipa. _Tulipa Boloniensis flore luteo_, the yellow Bolonia Tulipa. _Tulipa Persica_, Persian Tulipa. _Tulipa Cretica_, the Candie Tulipa, and others: all which shall bee described and entreated of, euery one apart by it selfe, in the end of the ranke of the _Præcoces_, because all of them flower much about their time. To begin then with the _Præcox_, or early flowring Tulipas, and after them with the _Medias_ and _Serotinas_, I shall for the better method, diuide their flowers into foure primary or principall colours, that is to say, White, Purple, Red and Yellow, and vnder every one of these colours, set downe the seuerall varieties of mixtures we haue seene and obserued in them, that so they may be both the better described by me, and the better conceiued by others, and euery one placed in their proper ranke. Yet I shall in this, as I intend to doe in diuers other plants that are variable, giue but one description in generall of the plant, and then set downe the varietie of forme or colour afterwards briefly by themselues.

_Tulipa præcox._ The early flowring Tulipa.

The early Tulipa (and so all other Tulipas) springeth out of the ground with his leaues folded one within another, the first or lowest leafe riseth vp first, sharpe pointed, and folded round together, vntill it be an inch or two aboue the ground, which then openeth it selfe, shewing another leafe folded also in the bosome or belly of the first, which in time likewise opening it selfe, sheweth forth a third, and sometimes a fourth and a fifth: the lower leaues are larger then the vpper, and are faire, thicke, broad, long, and hollow like a gutter, and sometimes crumpled on the edges, which will hold water that falleth thereon a long time, of a pale or whitish greene colour, (and the _Mediæ_ and _Serotinæ_ more greene) couered ouer as it were with a mealinesse or hoarinesse, with an eye or shew of rednesse towards the bottome of the leaues, and the edges in this kinde being more notable white, which are two principall notes to know a _Præcox Tulipa_ from a _Media_ or _Serotina_: the stalke with the flower riseth vp in the middle, as it were through these leaues, which in time stand one aboue another, compassing it at certaine vnequall distances, and is often obserued to bend it selfe crookedly downe to the ground, as if it would thrust his head thereinto, but turning vp his head (which will be the flower) againe, afterwards standeth vpright, sometimes but three or foure fingers or inches high, but more often halfe a foote, and a foot high, but the _Medias_, and _Serotinas_ much higher, carrying (for the most part) but one flower on the toppe thereof, like vnto a Lilly for the forme, consisting of sixe leaues, greene at the first, and afterwards changing into diuers and sundry seuerall colours and varieties, the bottomes likewise of the leaues of these sometimes, but most especially of the _Mediæ_, being as variable as the flower, which are in some yellow, or green, or blacke, in others white, blew, purple, or tawnie; and sometimes one colour circling another: some of them haue little or no sent at all, and some haue a better then others. After it hath been blowne open three or foure dayes or more, it will in the heate of the Sunne spread it selfe open, and lay it selfe almost flat to the stalke: in the middle of the flower standeth a greene long head (which will be the seed vessell) compassed about with sixe chiues, which doe much vary, in being sometimes of one, and sometimes of another colour, tipt with pendents diuersly varied likewise: the head in the middle of the flower groweth after the flower is fallen, to be long, round, and edged, as it were three square, the edges meeting at the toppe, where it is smallest, and making as it were a crowne (which is not seen in the head of any Lilly) and when it is ripe, diuideth it selfe on the inside into sixe rowes, of flat, thinne, brownish, gristly seede, very like vnto the seede of the Lillies, but brighter, stiffer, and more transparent: the roote being well growne is round, and somewhat great, small and pointed at the toppe, and broader, yet roundish at the bottome, with a certaine eminence or seate on the one side, as the roote of the Colchicum hath; but not so long, or great, it hath also an hollownesse on the one side (if it haue borne a flower) where the stalke grew, (for although in the time of the first springing vp, vntill it shew the budde for flower, the stalke with the leaues thereon rise vp out of the middle of the roote; yet when the stalke is risen vp, and sheweth the budde for flower, it commeth to one side, making an impression therein) couered ouer with a brownish thin coate or skin, like an Onion, hauing a little woollinesse at the bottome; but white within, and firme, yet composed of many coates, one folding within another, as the roote of the Daffodils be, of a reasonable good taste, neyther very sweete, nor yet vnpleasant. This description may well serue for the other Tulipas, being _Medias_ or _Serotinas_, concerning their springing and bearing, which haue not any other great variety therein worth the note, which is not expressed here; the chiefe difference resting in the variety of the colours of the flower, and their seuerall mixtures and markes, as I said before: sauing onely, that the flowers of some are great and large, and of others smaller, and the leaues of some long and pointed, and of others broad and round, or bluntly pointed, as shall bee shewed in the end of the Chapter: I shall therefore onely expresse the colours, with the mixture or composure of them, and giue you withall the names of some of them, (for it is impossible I thinke to any man, to giue seuerall names to all varieties) as they are called by those that chiefly delight in them with vs.

1 _Tulipa præcox alba siue rubra, &c. vnius coloris._ The early white
or red Tulipa, &c. being of one colour.
2 _Tulipa, præcox purpurea oris albis._ The early purple Tulipa with
white edges, or the Prince.
3 _Tulipa præcox variegata._ The early stript Tulipa.
4 _Tulipa præcox rubra oris luteis._ The early red Tulipa with yellow
edges, or the Duke.
]

_Tulipa præcox Alba._

1 _Niuea tota interdum purpureis staminibus, vel saltem luteis, fundo puro haud luteo._

2 _Alba siue niuea fundo luteo._

3 _Albida._

4 _Alba, venis cærulis in dorso._

5 _Alba purpureis oris._ {_Harum flores {vel 6 _Alba carneis oris._ {constantes, {vel 7 _Alba sanguineis oris._ {dispergentes._

8 _Alba oris magnis carneis, & venis intro respicientibus._

9 _Alba extra, carnei vero coloris intus, oras habens carneas saturatiores._

10 _Albida, oris rubris, vel oris purpureis._

11 _Alba, purpurascentibus maculis extra, intus vero carnei viuacissimi._

12 _Alba, purpureis maculis aspersa extra, intus vero alba purpurantibus oris._

13 _Dux Alba, i. e. coceineis & albis variata flaminis, à medio ad oras intercursantibus._

14 _Princessa, i.e. argentei coloris maculis purpurascentibus._

15 _Regina pulcherrima, albis & sanguineis aspersa radijs & punctis._

The early White Tulipa.

1 The flower whereof is either pure snow white, with purple
sometimes, or at least with yellow chiues, without any yellow
bottome.

2 Or pure white with a yellow bottome.

3 Or milk white that is not so pure white.

4 White with blew veines on the outside.

5 White with purple edges. {Some of these
{abiding constant,
6 White with blush edges. {& others
{spreading
7 White with red edges. {or running.

8 White with great blush edges, and some strakes running from
the edge inward.

9 White without, and somewhat blush within, with edges of a
deeper blush.

10 Whitish, or pale white with red or purple edges.

11 Whitish without, with some purplish veins & spots, & of a
liuely blush within.

12 White without, spotted with small purple spots, and white
within with purple edges.

13 A white Duke, that is, parted with white & crimson flames,
from the middle of each leafe to the edge.

14 The Princesse, that is, a siluer colour spotted with fine
deepe blush spots.