Chapter VIII: Front Matter (8)

This Prince of Daffodils (belongeth primarily to Iohn Tradescant, as the first founder thereof, that we know, and may well bee entituled the Glory of Daffodils) hath a great round roote, like vnto other Daffodils, couered with a brownish outer skinne or peeling, from whence riseth vp foure or fiue somewhat large and broad leaues, of a grayish greene colour, yet not fully so long and large as the next following Daffodill: from the middle whereof riseth vp a stalke almost as high and great as it, bearing at the toppe (out of a skinnie huske) one faire large great flower (the budde, before it breake open, being shorter and thicker in the middle, and ending in a longer and sharper point then any of the other Daffodils) very much spread open, consisting of smaller and shorter leaues then the next, but more in number, and thicker and rounder set together, making it seeme as great and double as any Prouince Rose, and intermixt with diuers yellow and pale leaues, as it were on rowes one vnder another. It abideth long in flower, and spreadeth, by standing long, to be the broadest in compasse of any of the Daffodils, but falleth away at the last without giuing any seede, as all double Daffodils doe.

2. _Pseudonarcissus aureus Anglicus maximus._ Mʳ. Wilmers great double Daffodill.

The other great double Daffodill doth so neare resemble our ordinary English double kinde, that I doe not finde therein any greater difference, then the largenesse both of leaues and flowers, &c., and the statelinesse of growth. It beareth three or foure large, long, and broad leaues, somewhat longer and broader then the former, and of a whitish greene colour: the stalke riseth to bee two foote high, growing (in a fruitfull and fat soyle) strong, and somewhat round, bearing at the toppe, out of a thin skinne, one great and faire double flower, each leafe whereof is twice as large and broad as the former, diuersly intermixt with a rowe of paler, and a rowe of deeper yellow leaues, wholly dispersed throughout the flower, the pale colour as well as the deeper yellow, in this as in the other small English kinde, growing deeper by standing: sometimes the leaues hereof are scattered, and spread wholly, making it shew a faire, broad, open flower: and sometimes the outer leaues stand separate from the middle trunke, which is whole and vnbroken, and very thicke of leaues: and sometimes the middle trunke, will bee halfe broken, neither expressing a full open double flower, nor a close double trunke, as it is likewise seene in the small English kinde, as shall bee declared in his place: this beareth no seede; the roote hereof is thicke and great, and encreaseth as well as any other Daffodill.

3. _Pseudonarcissus aureas Hispanicus flore pleno._ The great double yellow Spanish bastard Daffodill, or Parkinsons Daffodill.

This double Spanish Daffodill hath diuers leaues rising from the roote, stiffer, narrower, and not of so whitish a greene colour as the former, but more sullen or grayish, plainely resembling the leaues of the single great kinde, from whence this hath risen: the stalke hereof likewise riseth almost as high as it, and neare the height of the last recited double, bearing one double flower at the toppe, alwayes spread open, and neuer forming a double trunke like the former, yet not so faire and large as it, the outermost leaues whereof being of a greenish colour at the first, and afterward more yellow, doe a little turne themselues backe againe to the stalke, the other leaues are some of a pale yellow, and others of a more gold yellow colour, those that stand in the middle are smaller, and some of them shew as if they were hollow trunked, so that they seeme to be greenish, whitish, yellow, and gold yellow, all mixed one among another: the root is great, round, and whitish on the inside, couered with darke coloured skinnes or peelings. I thinke none euer had this kinde before my selfe, nor did I my selfe euer see it before the yeare 1618, for it is of mine own raising and flowring first in my Garden.

4. _Pseudonarcissus Gallicus maior flore pleno._ The greater double French bastard Daffodill.

This greater double Daffodill, hath his whitish greene leaues longer and broader then the smaller French kinde, hereafter following, to bee described, and broader, longer, and more limber then the double English kinde: the stalke riseth vp not much higher, then the smaller French kinde, but a little bigger, bearing at the top one great double flower, which when it is fully and perfectly blowne open (which is but seldome; for that it is very tender, the leaues being much thinner, and thereby continually subiect, vpon any little distemperature of the time, to cleaue so fast one vnto another, that the flower cannot blow open faire) is a faire and goodly flower, larger by halfe then the smaller kinde, and fuller of leaues, of the same pale whitish yellow, or Lemon colour, with the lesser, or rather a little whiter, and not set in the same order of rowes as it is, but more confusedly together, and turning backe the ends of the outermost leaues to the stalke againe, and hauing the bottome of the flower on the backside somewhat greene, neither of which is found in the lesser kinde: the roote is very like vnto the lesser kinde, but a little bigger and longer.

5. _Pseudonarcissus Anglicus flore pleno._ The double English bastard Daffodill, or Gerrards double Daffodill.

The leaues of this double Daffodill are very like vnto the single kinde, being of a whitish greene colour, and somewhat broad, a little shorter and narrower, yet stiffer then the former French kinde: the stalke riseth vp about a foote high, bearing at the toppe one very double flower, the outermost leaues being of the same pale colour, that is to bee seene in the wings of the single kinde; those that stand next them are some as deepe a yellow as the trunke of the single, and others of the same pale colour, with some greene stripes on the backe of diuers of the leaues: thus is the whole flower variably intermixt with pale and deepe yellow, and some greene stripes among them, when it is fully open, and the leaues dispersed and broken. For sometimes the flower sheweth a close and round yellow trunke in the middle, separate from the pale outer wings, which trunke is very double, shewing some pale leaues within it, dispersed among the yellow: And sometimes the trunke is more open, or in part broken, shewing forth the same colours intermixt within it: the flower passeth away without giuing any seede, as all other bulbous rootes doe that beare double flowers: the roote is small, very like vnto the French double kindes, especially the lesser, that it is verie hard to know the one from the other.

The Place.

The first and greatest kinde, we had first from Iohn
Tradescante (as I said before) whether raised from seed, or
gained from beyond Sea, I know not.

The second we first had from Vincent Sion, borne in Flanders,
dwelling on the Bank side, in his liues time, but now dead; an
industrious and worthy louer of faire flowers, who cherished it
in his Garden for many yeares, without bearing of any flowers
vntill the yeare 1620, that hauing flowred with him, (and hee
not knowing of whom hee receiued it, nor hauing euer seene the
like flower before) he sheweth it to Mʳ. Iohn de Franqueuille,
of whom he supposed he had receiued it, (for from beyond Sea
he neuer receiued any) who finding it to bee a kinde neuer
seene or knowne to vs before, caused him to respect it the
more, as it is well worthy. And Mʳ. George Wilmer of Stratford
Bowe Esquire, in his liues time hauing likewise receiued it
of him (as my selfe did also) would needes appropriate it to
himselfe, as if he were the first founder thereof, and call it
by his owne name Wilmers double Daffodill, which since hath so
continued.

The third is of mine owne fostering or raising, as I said
before; for assuredly, it is risen from the seede of the great
Spanish single kinde, which I sowed in mine owne Garden, and
cherished it, vntill it gaue such a flower as is described.

The fourth is not certainly knowne where his originall should
be: Some thinke it to be of France, and others of Germany.

The last is assuredly first naturall of our owne Countrey, for
Mʳ. Gerrard first discouered it to the world, finding it in
a poore womans Garden in the West parts of England, where it
grew before the woman came to dwell there, and, as I haue heard
since, is naturall of the Isle of Wight.

The Time.

They doe all flower much about one time, that is, from the
middle or end of March, as the yeare is forward, vnto the
middle of Aprill.

The Names.

Vpon the three first I haue imposed the names in Latine, as
they are expressed in their titles: and for the English names,
if you please, you may let them passe likewise as they are
expressed there also, that thereby euery one may be truely
distinguished, and not confounded. The fourth, besides the name
in the title, is called of some _Narcissus Germanicus_, which
whether it be of Germany, or no, I know not; but that the name
should import so much. The last doth vsually carry Mʳ. Gerrards
name, and called Gerrards double Daffodill.

1. _Pseudonarcissus angustifolius flore flauescente tubo quasi abscisso._ The narrow leafed bastard Daffodill with the clipt trunke.

This kinde of Daffodill hath long and narrow grayish greene leaues, bearing one single flower at the toppe of his stalke, like vnto the former single bastard kindes, before specified, hauing his outer leaues of a pale yellow colour, and his trunke of a deeper yellow: the chiefe differences in this from the former, is in the leaues, being narrow, and then in the trunke of the flower, which is not crumpled or turned vp, as most of the other are; and that the brimmes or edges of the flower is as if it had been clipt off, or cut euen.

2. _Pseudonarcissus Hispanicus medius & minor luteus._ The two lesser Spanish yellow bastard Daffodils.

These two lesser kindes of Spanish Daffodils, doe but differ in greatnesse the one from the other, and not in any thing else; so that in declaring the one, you may vnderstand the other to bee a little greater. The lesser hath three or foure narrow short whitish greene leaues, from among which commeth forth a short stalke, not aboue an hand breadth, or halfe a foote high, bearing one single flower, not fully standing outright, but a little bending downe, consisting of six small leaues, standing as wings about a small, but long trunke, a little crumpled at the brimmes: the whole flower, as well leaues as trunke, are of one deepe yellow colour, like vnto the great Spanish kinde: the roote is but small, and couered with a darkish coate. The other is in all parts greater, and (as I said) differeth not else.

3. _Pseudonarcissus Hispanicus luteus minimus._ The least Spanish yellow bastard Daffodill.

The leaues of this small kinde are smaller and shorter then the former, seldome exceeding the length of three inches, and very narrow withall, but of the same grayish greene colour with the former: euery flower standeth vpon a small and short footestalke, scarce rising aboue the ground; so that his nose, for the most part, doth lye or touch the ground, and is made after the same fashion, and of the same colour with the former, but much smaller, as his roote is so likewise.

4. _Pseudonarcissus Gallicus minor flore pleno._ The lesser French double bastard Daffodill.

The rootes of this lesser French kinde (if I may lawfully call it, or the greater kinde before specified, a bastard Daffodill; for I somewhat doubt thereof, in that the flower of either is not made after the fashion of any of the other bastard Daffodils, but doth more nearely resemble the forme of the double white Daffodill, expressed before among the true Daffodils) are like vnto the double English kinde, as also to the former double great French kinde, and the leaues are of the same whitish greene colour also, but narrower and not longer: the stalke riseth a little higher then the English, and not fully so high as the greater French, bearing one faire double flower thereon, of a pale yellow or Lemon colour, consisting of six rowes of leaues, euery rowe growing smaller then other vnto the middle, and so set and placed, that euery leafe of the flower doth stand directly almost in all, one vpon or before another vnto the middle, where the leaues are smallest, the outermost being the greatest, which maketh the flower seeme the more beautifull: this and the greater kinde hath no trunke, or shew of any other thing in the middle, as all or most of the other former double bastard Daffodils haue, but are flowers wholly composed of leaues, standing double euen to the middle.

The Place.

The first is vndoubtedly a naturall of the Pyrenæan Mountaines.

The Spanish kindes grew in Spaine, and

The French double kinde about Orleance in France, where it is
said to grow plentifully.

The Time.

The first flowreth at the end of March.

The Spanish kindes are the most early, flowring betimes in
March.

The French double doth flower presently after.

The Names.

More cannot bee said or added, concerning the names of any of
these Daffodils, then hath been set downe in their titles:
onely the French kinde is most vsually called Robinus his
Daffodill.

_Pseudonarcissus Iuncifolius albus._ The white bastard Rush Daffodill, or Iunquilia.

This bastard Rush Daffodill hath two or three long and very greene leaues, very like vnto the small yellow Rush Daffodill, formerly described, but not altogether so round, among which riseth vp a short stalke, seldome halfe a foote high, bearing at the toppe, out of a small skinnie huske, one small white flower, sometime declining to a pale colour, hauing six small and short leaues, standing about the middle of the trunke, which is long, and much wider open at the mouth, then at the bottome: the small outer leaues or wings are a little tending to greene, and the trunke (as I said) is either white, or whitish, hauing the brimmes a little vneuen: the seede is small, blacke, and round, like vnto other Rush Daffodils, but smaller.

_Pseudonarcissus Iuncifolia, luteus maior._ The greater yellow Iunquilia, or bastard Daffodill.

The leaues of this greater kinde are longer, greater, and a little broader then the former; the stalke also is higher, and the flower larger, more open at the mouth and crumpled, then the white, but wholly of a yellow colour: the seede and the roots are bigger, according to the proportion of the plant.

_Pseudonarcissus Iuncifolius luteus minor._ The lesser yellow bastard Iunquilia.

This is so like vnto the last in all things, that I shall not neede to trouble you with repetitions of the same things formerly spoken; the chiefest difference is the smallnesse of the plant in all parts.

_Pseudonarcissus Iuncifolius luteus serotinus._ The late yellow bastard Iunquilia.

There is likewise a third kinde, as great as the greater yellow, and in all his parts expressing and equalling it, but is accounted the fairer, and flowreth somewhat later.

The Place.

The Pyrenæan Hils haue afforded vs all these varieties, and wee
preserue them carefully; for they are all tender.

The Time.

All these flower in Aprill, except the last, which is a moneth
later.

The Names.

The French and Lowe-Countrey men call them _Trompettes_, that
is, Trumpets, from the forme of the trunke; wee sometimes call
them also by that name, but more vsually bastard Iunquilia’s.

1 _Pseudonarcissus tubo quasi abscisso._ The bastard Daffodill with
the clipt trunke.
2 _Pseudonarcissus Hispanicus minor._ The lesser Spanish bastard
Daffodill.
3 _Pseudonarcissus Hispanicus minimus._ The least Spanish bastard
Daffodill.
4 _Pseudonarcissus Gallicus minor flore pleno._ The lesser double
French bastard Daffodil.
5 _Pancratium flore albo._ The white Sea bastard Daffodil.
6 _Pseudonarcissus Iuncifolius luteus maior._ The greater yellow
bastard Iunquilia.
7 _Pseudonarcissus Iuncifolius luteus minor._ The lesser yellow
bastard Iunquilia.
8 _Pseudonarcissus Iuncifolius luteus serotinus._ The late yellow
bastard Iunquilia.
9 _Leucoium bulbosum præcox maius._ The great early bulbous Violet.
† _Leucoium bulbosum præcox minus._ The lesser early bulbous Violet.
10 _Leucoium bulbosum autumnale._ The small Autumne bulbous Violet.
11 _Leucoium bulbosum maius serotinum._ The great late flowring
bulbous Violet.
]

_Pseudonarcissus marinus albus, Pancratium vulgo._ The white Sea bastard Daffodill.

The Sea bastard Daffodill (to conclude this Chapter, and the discourse of Daffodils) hath diuers broad whitish greene leaues, but not very long, among which riseth vp a stiffe round stalke, at the top whereof breaketh out of a great round skinny huske, fiue or six flowers, euery one made somewhat of the fashion of the great bastard Rush Daffodill, but greater, and wholly white; the six leaues, being larger and longer then in the Rush kinde, and extending beyond the trunke, are tipt with greene at the point of each leafe, and downe the middle likewise on the backside. The trunke is longer, larger, and wider open at the mouth, cut in or indented at the brims or edges, and small at the bottome, with diuers white threeds in the middle, and is very sweet: vnder the flower is a round greene head, which groweth very great, hauing within it, when it is ripe, flat and blacke seede: the roote is great and white.

[Sidenote: _Flore luteo, & flore rubro._]

It is reported, that there are found other sorts; some that beare yellow flowers, and others that beare red: but we haue seene none such, and therefore I can say no more of them.

The Place.

This kinde groweth neare the Sea side, both in Spaine, Italy,
and France, within the Straights, and for the most part, vpon
all the Leuant shoare and Islands also, but will seldome either
flower, or abide with vs in these colder Countries, as I haue
both seene by those that I receiued from a friend, and heard by
others.

The Time.

It flowreth in the end of Summer, that is, in August and
September.

The Name.

Diuers doe call it _Pancratium_, as the learned of Mompeher,
and others, with the addition of _flore Lilij_, after they had
left their old errour, in taking it to be _Scylla_, and vsing
it for _Scylla_, in the _Trochisces_ that go into Andromachus
Treakle. The learned of Valentia in Spaine, as Clusius saith,
doe call it _Hemerocallis_, thinking it to be a Lilly; and
Clusius doth thereupon call it, _Hemerocallis Valentina_: but
in my opinion, all these are deceiued in this plant; for it
is neither a Lilly, to haue the name of _Hemerocallis_ giuen
vnto it, nor _Scylla_, nor _Pancratium_, as many doe yet call
it: for certainly this is a kinde of Daffodill; the forme both
of roote, leafe, and flower, doth assure me that haue seene
it, and not _Pancratium_, which (as Dioscorides testifieth) is
a kinde of _Scylla_, and in his time called _Scylla_, with a
red roote, and a leafe like a Lilly, but longer, and was vsed
both with the same preparation and quantity, and for the same
diseases that _Scylla_ was vsed, but that his force was weaker:
all which doth plainly shew the errours that many learned men
haue been conuersant in, and that all may see how necessary the
knowledge of Herbarisme is to the practice of Physicke; And
lest the roote of this Sea bastard Daffodill bee vsed in the
stead of an wholesome remedy, which (as Clusius maketh mention)
was deadly to him that did but cut his meate with that knife,
which had immediately before cut this roote, and done in malice
by him, that knew the force thereof, to kill his fellow, it
working the more forceably by the euill attracting quality of
the iron.

The Vertues of Daffodils in generall.

Howsoeuer Dioscorides and others, doe giue vnto some of them
speciall properties, both for inward and outward diseases, yet
know I not any in these dayes with vs, that apply any of them
as a remedy for any griefe, whatsoeuer Gerrard or others haue
written.

CHAP. X.

_Leucoium bulbosum._ The bulbous Violet.

Hauing thus set downe the whole family, both of the true and bastard Daffodils, I should next set in hand with the Hyacinths; but because _Leucoium bulbosum_, The bulbous Violet is a plant that doth challenge a place next vnto the Daffodils, as most nearly partaking with them, and a little with the Hyacinthes, I must of necessity interpose them, and shew their descriptions and differences, whereof some are early, of the first Spring, others later, and some of the Autumne.

_Leucoium bulbosum præcox maius._ The greater early bulbous Violet.

This bulbous Violet hath three or foure very greene, broad, flat, and short leaues, among which riseth vp a naked greene stalke, bearing out of a small skinny hose (as the former Daffodils doe) one white flower, hanging downe his head by a very small foot-stalke, made of six leaues, of an equall length, euery one whereof is tipt at the end with a small greenish yellow spot: after the flower is past, the head or seed-vessell groweth to be reasonable great, somewhat long and round, wherein is contained hard round seede, which being dry, is cleare, and of a whitish yellow colour: the roote is somewhat like a Daffodill roote, and couered with a blackish outside or skinne.

_Leucoium bulbosum præcox minus._ The lesser early bulbous Violet.

This lesser kinde riseth vp with two narrow grayish greene leaues, between which commeth forth the stalke, fiue or six inches high, bearing one small pendulous flower, consisting of three white leaues, which are small and pointed, standing on the outside, and hauing three other shorter leaues, which seeme like a cup in the middle, being each of them round at the ends, and cut in the middle, making the forme of an heart, with a greene tippe or spot at the broad end or edge: the seede is whitish, inclosed in long and round heads, like the former, but lesser: the roote is like a small Daffodill, with a blackish gray coate, and quickly diuideth into many of-sets.

[Sidenote: _Minus Byzantinum._]

There is another of this kinde, that came among other bulbous rootes from Constantinople, and differeth in nothing from it, but that it is a little greater, both in root, leafe, and flower.

The Place.

The two first are found in many places of Germany, and Hungary.
The third, as I said, was brought from Constantinople.

The Time.

The two lesser sorts doe most commonly flower in February,
if the weather be any thing milde, or at the furthest in the
beginning of March, but the first is seldome in flower, before
the other be well neare past, or altogether.

The Names.

Lobel and Dodonæus call the lesser kinde _Leucoium triphyllum_,
and _Leuconarcissolirion triphyllum_, of the three leaues in
the flower. Some doe call it _Viola bulbosa alba_. The first
or greater kinde is called by Lobel, _Leuconarcissolirion
paucioribus floribus_; and by Dodonæus, _Leucoium bulbosum
hexaphyllum_. We doe most vsually call them, _Leucoium
bulbosum præcox maius_, & _minus_, The greater, or the lesser
early bulbous Violet. In Dutch, _Somer Sottekens_, and not
_Druiskens_, which are Grape-flowers, as some haue thought.

1. _Leucoium bulbosum Vernum minimum._ The small bulbous Violet of the Spring.

This small _Leucoium_ sendeth forth his small and long greene leaues, like haires in Autumne, and before Winter, which abide greene vntill Aprill, and then wither away quite, and about May there ariseth vp a naked slender stalke, at the toppe whereof breake forth two small white flowers, made of six leaues a peece, hanging downe their heads, the three inner leaues being a little larger then the three outward, a little reddish neare the stalke, and very sweete: the root is small and round, and couered with a darke coate.

2. _Leucoium bulbosum Autumnale._ The small Autumne bulbous Violet.

As the former small _Leucoium_ sprang vp with his leaues without flowers in Autumne, so this contrariwise, riseth vp with his slender brownish stalke of flowers in Autumne, before any greene leaues appeare, whereon stand two or three very small snow white pendulous flowers, consisting of six leaues a peece, and a little reddish at the bottome of the flower next vnto the stalke, so like vnto the former, that one would take them to be both one: after which, there grow small browne heads, containing small, blacke, round seed; after the flower is past, and the seede is ripening, and sometimes after the heads are ripe, the leaues begin to spring vp, which when they are full growne, are long, greene, and as small, or smaller then the leaues of the Autumne Hyacinth, which abide all the Winter, and Spring following, and wither away in the beginning of Summer: the roote is small, long, and white.

3. _Leucoium maius bulbosum serotinum._ The great late flowring bulbous Violet.

The late bulbous Violet hath three or foure broad flat greene leaues, very like vnto the first, but longer, among which riseth vp a flattish stalke, being thicker in the middle then at both edges, on the toppe whereof stand three or foure flowers, hanging downe their heads, consisting of six leaues a peece, all of an equall length and bignesse, wholly white, except that each leafe hath a greene tippe at the end of them: the seede hereof is blacke and round; the roote is reasonable great and white.

The Place.

The two former small ones were first found in Spaine, and
Portugall, and sent to me by Guillaume Boel; but the first
was so tender, that scarce one of a score sprang with me, or
would abide. The greatest haue beene found wilde in Germany and
Austria.

The Time.

The small ones haue their times expressed in their titles and
descriptions, the last flowreth not vntill May.

The Names.

These names that are set downe in their titles, doe passe with
all Herbarists in these daies.

The Vertues.

Wee haue not knowne these plants vsed Physically, either
inwardly or outwardly, to any purposes in these dayes.

CHAP. XI.

_Hyacinthus._ The Hyacinth or Iacinth.

The Iacinths are next to be entreated of, whereof there are many more kindes found out in these later times, then formerly were knowne, which for order and method sake, I will digest vnder seuerall sorts, as neare as I can, that auoiding confusion, by enterlacing one among another, I may the better put euery sort vnder his owne kinde.

_Hyacinthus Indicus maior tuberosa radice._ The greater Indian knobbed Iacinth.

I haue thought fittest to begin with this Iacinth, both because it is the greatest and highest, and also because the flowers hereof are in some likenesse neare vnto a Daffodill, although his roote be tuberous, and not bulbous as all the rest are. This Indian Iacinth hath a thicke knobbed roote (yet formed into seuerall heads, somewhat like vnto bulbous rootes) with many thicke fibres at the bottome of them; from the diuers heads of this roote arise diuers strong and very tall stalkes, beset with diuers faire, long, and broad leaues, ioyned at the bottome close vnto the stalke, where they are greatest, and grow smaller to the very end, and those that grow higher to the toppe, being smaller and smaller, which being broken, there appeare many threeds like wooll in them: the toppes of the stalkes are garnished with many faire large white flowers, each whereof is composed of six leaues, lying spread open, as the flowers of the white Daffodill, with some short threeds in the middle, and of a very sweete sent, or rather strong and headie.

_Hyacinthus Indicus minor tuberosa radice._ The smaller Indian knobbed Iacinth.

The roote of this Iacinth is knobbed, like the roote of Arum or Wake Robin, from whence doe spring many leaues, lying vpon the ground, and compassing one another at the bottome, being long and narrow, and hollow guttered to the end, which is small and pointed, no lesse woolly, or full of threeds then the former: from the middle of these leaues riseth vp the stalke, being very long and slender, three or foure foot long, so that without it be propped vp, it will bend downe, and lye vpon the ground, whereon are set at certaine distances many short leaues, being broad at the bottome, where they doe almost compasse the stalke, and are smaller toward the end where it is sharpe pointed: at the top of the stalke stand many flowers, with a small peece of a green leafe at the bottome of euery foot-stalke, which seeme to bee like so many white Orientall Iacinths, being composed of six leaues, which are much thicker then the former, with six chiues or threeds in the middle, tipt with pale yellow pendents.

The Place.

They both grow naturally in the West Indies, from whence being
first brought into Spaine, haue from thence been dispersed vnto
diuers louers of plants.

The Time.

They flower not in these cold Countries vntill the middle of
August, or not at all, if they bee not carefully preserued
from the iniury of our cold Winters; and then if the precedent
Summer be hot, it may be flower a moneth sooner.

The Names.

Clusius calleth the lesser (for I thinke hee neuer saw the
first) _Hyacinthus Indicus tuberosa radice_, that is in
English, The Indian Iacinth with a tuberous roote: Some would
call these _Hyacinthus Eriophorus Indicus_, that is, The Indian
woolly Iacinth, because they haue much wooll in them when they
are broken; yet some doe doubt that they are not two plants
seuerall, as of greater and lesser, but that the greatnesse is
caused by the fertility of the soyle wherein it grew.

1. _Hyacinthus Botroides maior Moschatus, siue Muscari flore flauo._ The great yellow Muske Grape-flower, or yellow Muscari.

This Muske Iacinth or Grape-flower, hath fiue or six leaues spread vpon the ground in two or three heads, which at the first budding or shooting forth out of the ground, are of a reddish purple colour, and after become long, thicke, hollow, or guttered on the vpper side, of a whitish greene colour, and round and darke coloured vnderneath: in the middle of these heads of leaues, rise vp one or two hollow weake brownish stalkes, sometimes lying on the ground with the weight of the flowers, (but especially of the seede) yet for the most part standing vpright, when they are laden towards the toppe, with many bottle-like flowers, which at their first appearing, and vntill the flowers begin to blow open, are of a browne red colour, and when they are blowne, of a faire yellow colour, flowring first below, and so vpwards by degrees, euery one of these flowers is made like vnto a little pitcher or bottle, being bigge in the belly, and small at the mouth, which is round, and a little turned vp, very sweete in smell, like vnto Muske, whereof it tooke the name _Muscari_; after the flowers are past, there come three square thicke heads, puffed vp as if it were bladders, made of a spongie substance, wherein are here and there placed blacke round seed: the roote is long, round, and very thicke, and white on the outside, with a little woollinesse on them, being broken, and full of a slimie iuice, whereunto are annexed thicke, fat, and long fibres, which perish not as most of the other Iacinths; and therefore desireth not to bee often remoued, as the other sorts may.

2. _Hyacinthus Botroides maior Moschatus, seu Muscari flore cineritio._ The Ashcoloured Muske Grape-flower, or Muscari.

This Muscari differeth not in rootes, or forme of leaues or flowers from the former, the chiefe differences are these: the leaues hereof do not appeare so red at the first budding out of the ground, nor are so darke when they are fully growne; the stalke also most vsually hath more store of flowers thereon, the colour whereof at the first budding is a little duskie, and when they are full blowne, are of a bleake, yet bright ash-colour, with a little shew of purple in them, and by long standing change a little more gray; being as sweete, or as some thinke, more sweete then the former: the roote (as I said) is like the former, yet yeeldeth more encrease, and will better endure our cold clymate, although it doth more seldome giue ripe seede.

3. _Hyacinthus Botroides maior Moschatus, siue Muscari flore rubro._ The red Muske Grape-flower.

This kinde (if there be any such, for I am in some doubt thereof) doth chiefly differ in the colour of the flower from the first, in that this should beare flowers when they are blowne, of a red colour tending to yellownesse.

4. _Hyacinthus Botroides maior Moschatus, siue Muscari flore albo._ The white Muske Grape-flower.

This also is said to haue (if there bee such an one) his leaues like vnto the second kinde, but of a little whiter greene, and the flowers pale, tending to a white: the roots of these two last are said vsually not to grow to be so great as of the former two.

1 _Hyacinthus Indicus maior tuberosa radice._ The greater Indian
knobbed Iacinth.
2 _Hyacinthus Indicus minor tuberosa radice._ The lesser Indian
knobbed Iacinth.
3 _Muscari flore flauo._ The yellow Muscari.
4 _Muscari flore cineritio._ The ashcoloured Muscari.
5 _Hyacinthus Botroides cæruleus amænus._ The skie coloured
Grape-flower.
6 _Hyacinthus Botroides flore albo._ The white Grape-flower.
† _Hyacinthus Botroides ramosus._ The branched Grape-flower.
]

The Place.

The rootes of the two first sorts, haue been often sent from
Constantinople, among many other sorts of rootes, and it may
be come thither from beyond the Bosphorus in Asia; we haue them
in our Gardens.

The other two sorts are sprung (it is probable, if they be _in
rerum natura_) from the seede of the two former; for we could
neuer get such from Constantinople, as if the Turkes had neuer
knowledge of any such.

The Time.

They flower in March or Aprill, as the yeare is temperate, but
the first is soonest vp out of the ground.

The Names.

The two former haue beene sent from Turkie by the name of
_Muschoromi_ and _Dipcadi_. Matthiolus calleth it _Bulbus
vomitorius_, saying that no root doth more prouoke vomit then
it. Caspar Bauhinus doth most properly call it _Hyacinthus
Moschatus_. It is most generally called _Muscari_, by all
Herbarists and Florists, yet because it doth so neerely
resemble the Grape-flower, I haue named it _Hyacinthus
Botroides maior Moschatus_, to put a difference from the
lesser Grape-flowers that follow; in English, The great Muske
Grape-flower, or Muscari.

_Hyacinthus Botroides minor cæruleus obscurus._ The darke blew Grape-flower.

This Grape-flower hath many small, fat, and weake leaues lying vpon the ground, which are somewhat brownish at their first comming vp, and of a sad greene afterwards, hollow on the vpperside, and round vnderneath, among which rise vp round, smooth, weake stalkes, bearing at the toppe many small heauie bottle-like flowers, in shape like the former Muscari, but very thicke thrust together, smaller, and of a very darke or blackish blew colour, of a very strong smell, like vnto Starch when it is new made, and hot: the root is round, and blackish without, being compassed with a number of small rootes, or of-sets round about it, so that it will quickly choke a ground, if it be suffered long in it. For which cause, most men doe cast it into some by-corner, if they meane to preserue it, or cast it out of the Garden quite.

[Sidenote: _Alter maior._]

There is another of this kinde that is greater, both in leafe and flower, and differeth not in colour or any thing else.

_Hyacinthus Botroides cæruleus amænus._ The skie coloured Grape-flower.

This Iacinth springeth vp with fewer leaues then the first, and not reddish, but green at his first appearing; the leaues, when they are full growne, are long and hollow, like the former, but greener, shorter, and broader, standing vpright, and not lying along vpon the ground as they doe: the flowers grow at the toppe of the stalke, more sparsedly set thereon, and not so thicke together, but like a thinne bunch of grapes, and bottle-like as the former, of a perfect blew or skie colour, euery flower hauing some white spots about the brimmes of them: this hath a very sweete smell, nothing like the former: this roote is whiter, and doth not so much encrease as the former, yet plentifull enough.

_Hyacinthus Botroides ramosus._ The branched Grape-flower.

Of this kinde, there is another found to grow with many branches of flowers, breaking out from the sides of the greater stalkes or branches: the leaues as all the rest of the plant is greater then the former.

_Hyacinthus Botroides flore albo._ The white Grape-flower.

The white Grape-flower hath his green leaues a little whiter, then the blew or skie coloured Grape-flower, his flowers are very pure white, alike sparsedly set on the stalkes, but a little lower and smaller then it, in all other things there is no difference.

_Hyacinthus Botroides flore albo rubente._ The blush Grape-flower.

The roote of this Grape-flower groweth greater, then either the skie coloured, or white Grape-flower, and seldome hath any small rootes or of-sets, as the other haue: his leaues also are larger, and somewhat broader; the flowers are of a pale, or bleake blush colour out of a white, and are a little larger, and grow a little higher and fuller of flowers then the white.

The Place.

They naturally grow in many places both of Germany and Hungary;
in Spaine likewise, and on Mount Baldus in Italy, and Narbone
in France, about the borders of the fields: we haue them in our
Gardens for delight.

The Time.

These flower from the beginning of March, or sooner sometimes,
vntill the beginning of May.

The Names.

They are most commonly called _Botroides_, but more truely
_Botryodes_, of Βότρυς the Greeke word, which signifieth a
bunch or cluster of grapes: Lobelius calleth the white one,
_Dipcadi flore albo_, transferring the name _Dipcadi_, whereby
the _Muscari_ is called to this Iacinth, as if they were
both one. Their seuerall names, whereby they are knowne, and
called, are set downe in their titles. The Dutchmen call them
_Driuekens_, as I said before. Some English Gentlewomen call
the white Grape-flower Pearles of Spaine.

1. _Hyacinthus Comosus albus._ The white haired Iacinth.

This Iacinth doth more neerly resemble the Grape-flowers, then the faire haired Iacinths that follow, whereof it beareth the name, in that it hath no haire or threeds at the toppe of the stalke or sides, as they: and therefore I haue placed it next vnto them, and the other to follow it, as being of another kinde. The root hereof is blackish, a little long and round, from whence rise vp three or foure leaues, being smooth and whitish, long, narrow, and hollow, like a trough or gutter on the vpperside: among which the stalke riseth vp a foote high or more, bearing at the toppe diuers small flowers, somewhat like the former, but not so thicke set together, being a little longer, and larger, and wider at the mouth, and as it were diuided into six edges, of a darke whitish colour, with some blacker spots about the brimmes on the inside: the heads or seede-vessels are three square, and somewhat larger, then the heads of any of the former lesser Grape-flowers, wherein is contained round blacke seede.

2. _Hyacinthus Comosus Byzantinus._ The Turkie faire haired Iacinth.

This other Iacinth which came from Constantinople, is somewhat like the former, but that it is bigger, both in roote, and leafe, and flower, and bearing greater store of flowers on the head of the stalke: the lower flowers, although they haue short stalkes at their first flowring, yet afterwards the stalkes grow longer, and those that are lower, stand out further then those that are highest, whose foot-stalkes are short, and almost close to the stemme, and of a more perfect purple then any below, which are of a duskie greenish purple colour: the whole stalke of flowers seem like a Pyramis, broad belowe, and small aboue, or as other compare it, to a water sprinkle; yet neither of both these Iacinths haue any threeds at the tops of the stalkes, as the other following haue.

3. _Hyacinthus Comosus maior purpureus._ The great purple faire haired Iacinth.

This faire haired Iacinth hath his leaues softer, longer, broader, and lesse hollow then the former, lying for the most part vpon the ground: the stalke riseth vp in the midst of the leaues, being stronger, higher, and bearing a greater and longer head of flowers also then they: the flowers of this stand not vpon such long foote-stalkes, but are shorter below, and close almost to the stalke aboue, hauing many bright purplish blew threeds, growing highest aboue the flowers, as it were in a bush together, euery one of these threeds hauing a little head at the end of them, somewhat like vnto one of the flowers, but much smaller: the red of the flowers below this bush, are of a sadder or deader purple, and not so bright a colour, and the lowest worst of all, rather enclining to a greene, like vnto the last Turkie kinde: the whole stalke with the flowers vpon it, doth somewhat resemble a long Purse tassel, and thereupon diuers Gentlewomen haue so named it: the heads and seede are like vnto the former, but greater: the roote is great and white with some rednesse on the outside.

4. _Hyacinthus Comosus ramosus purpureus._ The faire haired branched Iacinth.

The leaues of this Iacinth are broader, shorter, and greener then of the last, not lying so weakly on the ground, but standing somewhat more vpright: the stalke riseth vp as high as the former, but branched out on euery side into many tufts of threeds, with knappes, as it were heads of flowers, at the ends of them, like vnto the head of threeds at the toppe of the former Iacinth, but of a little darker, and not so faire a blewish purple colour: this Iacinth doth somewhat resemble the next Curld haire Iacinth, but that the branches are not so fairely composed altogether of curled threeds, nor of so excellent a faire purple or Doue colour, but more duskie by much: the roote is greater and shorter then of the next, and encreaseth faster.

5. _Hyacinthus Pennatus, siue Comosus ramosus elegantior._ The faire Curld-haire Iacinth.

This admirable Iacinth riseth vp with three or foure leaues, somewhat like vnto the leaues of the Muske Grape-flower, but lesser; betweene which riseth vp the stalke about a foote high, or somewhat more, bearing at the toppe a bush or tuft of flowers, which at the first appearing, is like vnto a Cone or Pineapple, and afterwards opening it selfe, spreadeth into many branches, yet still retaining the forme of a Pyramis, being broad spread below, and narrow vp aboue: each of these branches is againe diuided into many tufts of threeds or strings, twisted or curled at the ends, and of an excellent purple or Doue colour, both stalkes and haires. This abideth a great while in his beauty, but afterwards all these flowers (if you will so call them) do fall away without any seede at all, spending it selfe as it should seeme in the aboundance of the flowers: the roote is not so great as the last, but white on the outside.

The Place.

The two first haue been sent diuers times from Constantinople,
the third is found wilde in many places of Europe, and as well
in Germany, as in Italy. The two last are onely with vs in
Gardens, and their naturall places are not knowne vnto vs.

The Time.

The three former kindes doe flower in Aprill, the two last in
May.

The Names.

The first and second haue no other names then are expressed in
their titles. The third is called of some onely _Hyacinthus
maior_ and of others _Hyacinthus comosus maior_: We call it in
English, The purple faire haired Iacinth, because of his tuft
of purple threeds, like haires at the toppe, and (as I said)
of diuers Gentlewomen, purple tassels. The fourth is called by
some as it is in the title, _Hyacinthus Comosus ramosus_, and
of others _Hyacinthus Calamistratus_. And the last or fifth is
diuersly called by diuers, Fabius Columna in his _Phytobasanos_
the second part, calleth it _Hyacinthus Sannesius_, because
hee first saw it in that Cardinals Garden at Rome. Robin of
Paris sent to vs the former of the two last, by the name
of _Hyacinthus Pennatus_, and _Hyacinthus Calamistratus_,
when as others sent the last by the name _Pennatus_, and the
other by the name of _Calamistratus_; but I thinke the name
_Cincinnatus_ is more fit and proper for it, in that the curled
threeds which seeme like haires, are better expressed by the
word _Cincinnus_, then _Calamistrum_, this signifying but the
bodkin or instrument wherewith they vse to frisle or curle the
haire, and that the bush of haire it selfe being curled. Some
also haue giuen to both these last the names of _Hyacinthus
Comosus Parnassi_, the one fairer then the other. Of all these
names you may vse which you please; but for the last kinde,
the name _Cincinnatus_, as I said, is the more proper, but
_Pennatus_ is the more common, and _Calamistratus_ for the
former of the two last.

1 _Hyacinthus Comosus albus._ The white haired Iacinth.
2 _Hyacinthus Comosus Byzantinus._ The Turkie faire haired Iacinth.
3 _Hyacinthus Comosus maior purpureus._ The purple faire haired
Iacinth, or Purse tassels.
4 _Hyacinthus Comosus ramosus, siue Calamistratus._ The faire haired
branched Iacinth.
5 _Hyacinthus Pennatus, siue Comosus elegantior._ The faire curld
haire Iacinth.
]

1. _Hyacinthus Orientalis Brumalis, siue præcox flore albo._ The white Winter Orientall Iacinth.

This early Iacinth riseth vp with his greene leaues (which are in all respects like to the ordinary Orientall Iacinths, but somewhat narrower) before Winter, and sometimes it is in flower also before Winter, and is in forme and colour a plaine white Orientall Iacinth, but somewhat lesser, differing onely in no other thing, then the time of his flowring, which is alwayes certaine to be long before the other sorts.

2. _Hyacinthus Orientalis Brumalis, siue præcox flore purpureo._ The purple Winter Orientall Iacinth.

The difference of colour in this flower causeth it to bee distinguished, for else it is of the kindred of the Orientall Iacinths, and is, as the former, more early then the rest that follow: Vnderstand then, that this is the same with the former, but hauing fine blewish purple flowers.

3. _Hyacinthus Orientalis maior præcox, dictus Zumbul Indi._ The greatest Orientall Iacinth, or Zumbul Indi.

The roote of this Orientall Iacinth, is vsually greater then any other of his kinde, and most commonly white on the outside, from whence rise vp one or two great round stalkes, spotted from within the ground, with the lower part of the leaues also vpward to the middle of the stalkes, or rather higher, like vnto the stalkes of Dragons, but darker; being set among a number of broad, long, and somewhat hollow greene leaues, almost as large as the leaues of the white Lilly: at the toppe of the stalkes stand more store of flowers, then in any other of this kinde, euery flower being as great as the greatest sort of Orientall Iacinths, ending in six leaues, which turne at the points, of a faire blewish purple colour, and all standing many times on one side of the stalkes, and many times on both sides.

4. _Hyacinthus Orientalis vulgaris diuersorum colorum._ The ordinary Orientall Iacinth.

The common Orientall Iacinth (I call it common, because it is now so plentifull in all Gardens, that it is almost not esteemed) hath many greene leaues, long, somewhat broad and hollow, among which riseth vp a long greene round stalke, beset from the middle thereof almost, with diuers flowers, standing on both sides of the stalkes, one aboue another vnto the toppe, each whereof next vnto the foote-stalke is long, hollow, round, and close, ending in six small leaues laid open, and a little turning at the points, of a very sweete smell: the colours of these flowers are diuers, for some are pure white, without any shew of other colour in them: another is almost white, but hauing a shew of blewnesse, especially at the brims and bottomes of the flowers. Others againe are of a very faint blush, tending towards a white: Some are of as deepe a purple as a Violet; others of a purple tending to rednesse, and some of a paler purple. Some againe are of a faire blew, others more watchet, and some so pale a blew, as if it were more white then blew: after the flowers are past, there rise vp great three square heads, bearing round blacke seede, great and shining: the roote is great, and white on the outside, and oftentimes purplish also, flat at the bottome, and small at the head.

[Sidenote: _Flore purpureo violaceo lincis albicantis in dorso._]

There is a kinde of these Iacinths, whose flowers are of a deepe purplish Violet colour, hauing whitish lines downe the backe of euery leafe of the flower, which turne themselues a little backwards at the points.

[Sidenote: _Floribus antrorsum respicientibus._]

There is another, whose flowers stand all opening one way, and not on all sides, but are herein like the great Zumbul Indi, before set out.

[Sidenote: _Serotinus erectus floribus diuersorum colorum._]

There is againe another kinde which flowreth later then all the rest, and the flowers are smaller, standing more vpright, which are either white or blew, or mixt with white and purple.

5. _Hyacinthus Orientalis folioso caule._ The bushy stalked Orientall Iacinth.

This strange Iacinth hath his rootes, leaues, and flowers, like vnto the former Orientall Iacinths: the onely difference in this is, that his stalke is not bare or naked, but hath very narrow long leaues, growing dispersedly, and without order, with the flowers thereon, which are blew, and hauing for the most part one leafe, and sometimes two at the foote, or setting on of euery flower, yet sometimes it happeneth, some flowers to be without any leafe at the bottome, as nature, that is very variable in this plant, listeth to play: the heads and seede are blacke and round, like the other also.

6. _Hyacinthus Orientalis flore duplici._ The bleake Orientall Iacinth once double.

This double Iacinth hath diuers long leaues, like vnto the other Orientall Iacinths, almost standing vpright, among which riseth vp a stalke, brownish at the first, but growing greene afterwards, bearing many flowers at the toppe, made like the flowers of the former Iacinths, and ending in six leaues, greene at the first, and of a blewish white when they are open, yet retaining some shew of greenesse in them, the brims of the leaues being white; from the middle of each flower standeth forth another small flower, consisting of three leaues, of the same colour with the other flower, but with a greene line on the backe of each of these inner leaues: in the middle of this little flower, there stand some threeds tipt with blacke: the smell of this flower is not so sweete as of the forme; the heads, seede, and rootes are like the former.

7. _Hyacinthus Orientalis flore pleno cæruleo, vel purpuro violaceo._ The faire double blew, or purple Orientall Iacinth.

The leaues of these Iacinths are smaller, then the leaues of most of the other former sorts; the stalkes are shorter, and smaller, bearing but three or foure flowers on the heads of them for the most part, which are not composed like the last, but are more faire, full, and double of leaues, where they shew out their full beauties, and of a faire blew colour in some, and purple in others, smelling pretty sweete; but these doe seldome beare out their flowers faire; and besides, haue diuers other flowers that will be either single, or very little double vpon the same stalke.

8. _Hyacinthus Orientalis candidissimus flore pleno._ The pure white double Orientall Iacinth.

This double white Iacinth hath his leaues like vnto the single white Orientall Iacinth; his stalke is likewise long, slender, and greene, bearing at the toppe two or three flowers at the most, very double and full of leaues, of a pure white colour, without any other mixture therein, hanging downe their heads a little, and are reasonable sweete. I haue this but by relation, not by sight, and therefore I can giue no further assurance as yet.

The Place.

All these Orientall Iacinths, except the last, haue beene
brought out of Turkie, and from Constantinople: but where their
true originall place is, is not as yet vnderstood.

The Time.