This kinde of _Clematis_ hath diuers mor_Paradisi in sole paradisus terrestris, or, A garden of all sorts of pleasant flowers which our English ayre will permitt to be noursed vp a kitchen garden of all manner of herbes, rootes & fruites for meate or sauce vsed with vs, and, an orchard of all sorte of fruitbearing trees and shrubbes fit for our land, together with the right orderinge, planting & preseruing of them and their vses & vertues

of the foure last described, sometimes foure or fiue foote high, or

more: yet leaning or bending a little, so that it had some neede of

sustaining, couered with a brownish barke; from whence come forth on

all sides diuers winged leaues, consisting of fiue or seuen leaues,

set on both sides of a middle ribbe, whereof one is at the end: the

tops of the stalkes are diuided into many branches, bearing many white

sweet smelling flowers on them, like in fashion vnto the white Virgins

Bower; after which come such like feather topt seede, which remaine and

shew themselues, being flat like the other, when the plumes are blowne

abroad: the roote spreadeth in the ground from a thicke head, into many

long strings, and fasteneth it selfe strongly in the earth; but all the

stalkes dye downe euery yeare, and spring afresh in the beginning of

the next.

9. _Clematis cærulea Pannonica._ The Hungarian Climer.

The stalks of this plant stand vpright, & are foure square, bearing at

euery ioynt two leaues, which at the first are closed together, and

after they are open, are somewhat like vnto the leaues of _Asclepias_,

or Swallow-wort: from the tops of the stalks, and sometimes also from

the sides by the leaues commeth forth one flower, bending the head

downward, consisting of foure leaues, somewhat long & narrow, standing

like a crosse, and turning vp their ends a little againe, of a faire

blew or skie colour, with a thicke pale yellow short thrumme, made

like a head in the middle: after the flower is past, the head turneth

into such a like round feather topt ball, as is to be seene in the

Trauellers ioy, or _Viorna_ (as it is called) that groweth plentifully

in Kent, and in other places by the way sides, and in the hedges,

wherein is included such like flat seede. These stalkes (like as the

last) dye downe to the ground euery yeare, and rise againe in the

Spring following, shooting out new branches, and therby encreaseth in

the root.

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

Because this braue and too much desired plant doth in some things

resemble the former Climers, so that vnto what other family or kindred

I might better conioyne it I know not; let me I pray insert it in the

end of their Chapter, with this description. It riseth out of the

ground (very late in the yeare, about the beginning of May, if it be a

plant hath risen from the seed of our owne sowing, and if it be an old

one, such as hath been brought to vs from Virginia, not till the end

thereof) with a round stalke, not aboue a yard and a halfe high (in any

that I haue seene) but in hotter Countries, as some Authors haue set it

downe, much higher, bearing one leafe at euery ioynt, which from the

ground to the middle thereof hath no claspers, but from thence vpwards

hath at the same ioynt with the leafe both a small twining clasper,

like vnto a Vine, and a flower also: euery leafe is broad at the stalke

thereof, and diuided about the middle on both sides, making it somewhat

resemble a Figge leafe, ending in three points, whereof the middlemost

is longest: the bud of the flower, before it doe open, is very like

vnto the head or seede vessell of the ordinary single _Nigella_, hauing

at the head or top fiue small crooked hornes, which when this bud

openeth, are the ends or points of fiue leaues, that are white on the

inside, and lay themselues flat, like vnto an Anemone, and are a little

hollow like a scoope at the end, with fiue other smaller leaues, and

whiter then they lying betweene them, which were hid in the bud before

it opened, so that this flower being full blowne open, consisteth of

ten white leaues, laide in order round one by another: from the bottome

of these leaues on the inside, rise diuers twined threads, which spread

and lay themselues all ouer these white leaues, reaching beyond the

points of them a little, and are of a reddish peach colour: towards the

bottomes likewise of these white leaues there are two red circles,

about the breadth of an Oten strawe, one distant from another (and in

some flowers there is but one circle seen) which adde a great grace

vnto the flower; for the white leaues shew their colour through the

peach coloured threads, and these red circles or rings vpon them being

also perspicuous, make a tripartite shew of colours most delightfull:

the middle part of this flower is hollow, and yellowish; in the bottome

whereof riseth vp an vmbone, or round stile, somewhat bigge, of a

whitish greene colour, spotted with reddish spots like the stalkes of

Dragons, with fiue round threads or chiues, spotted in the like manner,

and tipt at the ends with yellow pendents, standing about the middle

part of the said vmbone, and from thence rising higher, endeth in three

long crooked hornes most vsually (but sometimes in foure, as hath beene

obserued in Rome by Dʳ. Aldine, that set forth some principall things

of Cardinall Farnesius his Garden) spotted like the rest, hauing three

round greene buttons at their ends: these flowers are of a comfortable

sweete sent, very acceptable, which perish without yeelding fruit with

vs, because it flowreth so late: but in the naturall place, and in hot

Countries, it beareth a small round whitish fruit, with a crowne at the

toppe thereof, wherein is contained (while it is fresh, and before it

be ouer dried) a sweet liquor, but when it is dry, the seede within it,

which is small, flat, somewhat rough and blacke, will make a ratling

noise: the rootes are composed of a number of exceeding long and round

yellowish browne strings, spreading farre abroad vnder the ground (I

haue seene some rootes that haue beene brought ouer, that were as long

as any rootes of _Sarsaparilla_, and a great deale bigger, which to be

handsomely laid into the ground, were faine to be coyled like a cable)

and shooting vp in seuerall places a good distance one from another,

whereby it may be well encreased.

[Illustration: The Iesuites Figure of the Maracoc.

GRANADILLVS FRVTEX INDICVS CHRISTI PASSIONIS IMAGO.]

The Place.

The first blew Perwinkle groweth in many Woods and Orchards,

by the hedge sides in England, and so doth the white here

and there, but the other single and double purple are in our

Gardens onely. The great Perwinkle groweth in Prouence of

France, in Spaine, and Italy, and other hot Countries, where

also growe all the twining Clamberers, as well single as

double: but both the vpright ones doe growe in Hungary and

there abouts. The surpassing delight of all flowers came from

Virginia. Wee preserue them all in our Gardens.

The Time.

The Perwinkles doe flower in March and Aprill. The Climers not

vntill the end of Iune, or in Iuly, and sometimes in August.

The Virginian somewhat later in August; yet sometimes I haue

knowne the flower to shew it selfe in Iuly.

[Illustration:

1 _Thlaspi Creticum._ Candy tufts.

2 _Vinca peruinca flore simplici._ Single Perwinkle.

3 _Vinca peruinca flore duplici._ Double Perwinkle.

4 _Flammula Matthioli._ Vpright Virgins Bower.

5 _Clematis peregrina flore simplici._ The single Ladies Bower.

6 _Clematis peregrina flore pleno purpureo._ Double flowred Ladies

Bower.

7 _Maracoc siue Clematis Virginiana._ The Virginian Climer.

]

The Names.

The first is out of question the first _Clematis_ of

Dioscorides, and called of many _Clematis Daphnoides_ (but

not that plant that is simply called _Daphnoides_, for that

is _Laureola_) and is vsually called _Vinca pervinca_: but it

is not _Chamædaphne_, for that is another plant, as shall be

shewed in his place; some call it _Centunculus_: In English

wee call it Perwinkle. The other is _Clematis altera_ of

Dioscorides, and is called also _Clematis peregrina_, whose

distinctions are set downe in their titles: In English, Ladies

Bower, or Virgins Bower, because they are fit to growe by

Arbours, to couer them. The first vpright Clamberer is called,

and that rightly of some, _Clematis erecta_, or _surrecta_.

Of others, _Flammula frutex_, and _Flammula Iouis_, or

_surrecta_: In English, Vpright Virgins Bower. The next is

called by Clusius, _Clematis Pannonica cæulea_, who thought

it to be _Climeni species_, by the relation of others, at the

first, but after entituled it, _Clematis_: In English, the

Hungarian Climer. The last may be called in Latine, _Clematis

Virginiana_: In English, The Virgin or Virginian Climer;

of the Virginians, _Maracoc_: of the Spaniards in the West

Indies _Granadillo_, because the fruit (as is before said)

is in some fashion like a small Pomegranate on the outside;

yet the seede within is flattish, round, and blackish. Some

superstitious Iesuite would faine make men beleeue, that in

the flower of this plant are to be seene all the markes of our

Sauiours Passion; and therefore call it _Flos Passionis_: and

to that end haue caused figures to be drawne, and printed, with

all the parts proportioned out, as thornes, nailes, speare,

whippe, pillar, &c. in it, and all as true as the Sea burnes,

which you may well perceiue by the true figure, taken to the

life of the plant, compared with the figures set forth by the

Iesuites, which I haue placed here likewise for euery one to

see: but these bee their aduantagious lies (which with them

are tolerable, or rather pious and meritorious) wherewith

they vse to instruct their people; but I dare say, God neuer

willed his Priests to instruct his people with lyes: for they

come from the Diuell, the author of them. But you may say I

am beside my Text, and I am in doubt you will thinke, I am in

this besides my selfe, and so nothing to be beleeued herein

that I say. For, for the most part, it is an inherent errour

in all of that side, to beleeue nothing, be it neuer so true,

that any of our side shall affirme, that contrarieth the

assertions of any of their Fathers, as they call them: but I

must referre them to God, and hee knoweth the truth, and will

reforme or deforme them in his time. In regard whereof I could

not but speake (the occasion being thus offered) against such

an erroneous opinion (which euen Dʳ. Aldine at Rome, before

remembred, disproued, and contraried both the said figures and

name) and seek to disproue it, as doth (I say not almost, but I

am affraid altogether) leade many to adore the very picture of

such things, as are but the fictions of superstitious brains:

for the flower it selfe is farre differing from their figure,

as both Aldine in the aforesaid booke, and Robinus at Paris in

his _Theatrum Floræ_, doe set forth; the flowers and leaues

being drawne to the life, and there exhibited, which I hope may

satisfie all men, that will not be perpetually obstinate and

contentious.

The Vertues.

Costæus saith hee hath often seene, that the leaues of

Perwinkle held in the mouth, hath stayed the bleeding at the

nose. The French doe vse it to stay the menstruall fluxes. The

other are causticke plants, that is, fiery hot, and blistering

the skinne; and therefore (as Dioscorides saith) is profitable

to take away the scurfe, leprye, or such like deformities of

the skin. What property that of Virginia hath, is not knowne to

any with vs I thinke, more then that the liquor in the greene

fruit is pleasant in taste; but assuredly it cannot be without

some speciall properties, if they were knowne.

CHAP. CIII.

_Chamælæa._ Dwarfe Spurge Oliue, or Dwarfe Baye.

I haue three sorts of _Chamælæa_ to bring to your consideration, euery

one differing notably from other; two of them of great beauty in their

flowers, as well as in the whole plant: the third abiding with greene

leaues, although it haue no beauty in the flower, yet worthy of the

place it holds. And vnto these I must adioyne another plant, as comming

nearest vnto them in the brauery of the flowers.

1. _Chamælæa Germanica siue Mezereon floribus dilutioris coloris &

saturatioris._ Dwarfe Bay, or flowring Spurge Oliue.

We haue two sorts of this Spurge Oliue or Dwarfe Baye, differing onely

in the colour of the flowers. They both rise vp with a thicke wooddy

stemme, fiue or six foot high sometimes, or more, and of the thicknesse

(if they be very old) of a mans wrest at the ground, spreading into

many flexible long branches, couered with a tough grayish barke,

beset with small long leaues, somewhat like vnto Priuet leaues, but

smaller and paler, and in a manner round pointed: the flowers are

small, consisting of foure leaues, many growing together sometimes, and

breaking out of the branches by themselues: in the one sort of a pale

red at the first blowing, and more white afterwards; the other of a

deeper red in the blossome, and continuing of a deeper red colour all

the time of the flowring, both of them very sweete in smell: after the

flowers are past, come the berries, which are greene at the first, and

very red afterwards, turning blackish red, if they stand too long vpon

the branches: the rootes spread into many tough long branches, couered

with a yellowish barke.

2. _Chamælæa Alpina._ Mountaine Spurge Oliue.

This Mountaine Laurell riseth vp with a small wooddy stemme, three or

foure foot high, or more, branching forth towards the vpper parts into

many slender and tough branches, couered with a rough hoary greene

barke, beset at the ends thereof with flatter, fuller, and smaller

round pointed leaues then the former, of a grayish greene colour on the

vpperside, and hoary vnderneath, which abide on the branches in Winter,

and fall not away as the former: the flowers are many set together

at the ends of the branches, greater then the former, and consisting

of foure leaues a peece, of a light blush colour, standing in small

grayish huskes, of little or no sent at all: the fruit followeth, which

are small long graines or berries, of an excellent red colour, which

afterwards turne blacke: the roote is long, and spreadeth about vnder

the vpper part of the earth.

3. _Chamælæa tricoccos._ Widowe Wayle.

This three berried Spurge Oliue hath no great stemme at all, but the

whole plant spreadeth from the ground into many flexible tough greene

branches, whereon are set diuers narrow, long, darke greene leaues all

along the branches, which abide greene all the Winter: the flowers are

very small, scarce to be seene, and come forth between the leaues and

the stalke, of a pale yellow colour, made of three leaues; after which

come small blackish berries, three vsually set together; the roote

spreadeth it selfe in the ground not very farre, being hard and wooddy,

and often dyeth, if it bee not well defended from the extremity of our

sharpe Winters.

4. _Cneorum Matthioli._ Small Rocke Roses.

I was long in doubt in what place I should dispose of this plant,

whether among the Campions, as Bauhinus, or among these, as Clusius

doth; but lest my Garden should want it wholly, let it take vp roome

for this time here. This gallant plant hath diuers long, weake,

slender, but yet tough branches lying vpon the ground, diuided vsually

into other smaller branches, whereon growe many, small, long, and

somewhat thicke leaues, somewhat like vnto the leaues of the former

_Mezereon_, set without any order to the very tops, from whence doe

come forth a tuft of many small flowers together, made or consisting

of foure leaues a peece, of a bright red or carnation colour, and very

sweete withall, which turne into small round whitish berries, wherein

is contained small round seede, couered with a grayish coate or skinne:

the roote is long and yellowish, spreading diuers wayes vnder the

ground, and abideth many yeares shooting forth new branches.

[Sidenote: _Flore albo._]

It hath beene obserued in some of these plants, to bring forth white

flowers, not differing in any thing else.

The Place.

The first sorts growe plentifully in many places of Germany.

The second in the mountaines by Sauoye. The third in Prouence

and Spaine. The last in diuers parts of Germany, Bohemia, and

Austria, and about Franckford.

The Time.

The two first sorts are most vsually in flower about Christmas,

or in Ianuary, if the weather be not violent, and sometimes not

vntill February. The second flowreth not vntill Aprill. The

third in May. The berries of them ripen some in Iune and Iuly;

some in August and September, as their flowring is earlier or

later. The last flowreth as well in the Spring as in Autumne,

so apt and plentifull it is in bearing, and the seede at both

times doth ripen soone after.

The Names.

The first is called of some _Chamælæa_, with this addition

_Germanica_, that it may differ from the third, which is the

true _Chamælæa_ of Dioscorides, as all the best Authors doe

agree, and is also called _Piper montanum_ of the Italians.

It is generally called _Mezereon_, and is indeede the true

_Mezereon_ of the Arabians, and so vsed in our Apothecaries

shops, wheresoeuer the Arabians _Mezereon_ is appointed,

although the Arabians are so intricate and vncertaine in the

descriptions of their plants, confounding _Chamælæa_ and

_Thymælæa_ together. Matthiolus maketh it to be _Daphnoides_

of Dioscorides; but in my opinion he is therein mistaken: for

all our best moderne Writers doe account our _Laureola_, which

hath blacke berries, to bee the true _Daphnoides_: the errour

of his Countrey might peraduenture drawe him thereunto; but if

hee had better considered the text of Dioscorides, that giueth

black berries to _Daphnoides_, and red to _Chamædaphne_, he

would not so haue written; and truly, I should thinke (as Lobel

doth) with better reason, that this _Chamælæa_ were Dioscorides

_Chamædaphne_, then hee to say it were _Daphnoides_: for the

description of _Chamædaphne_, may in all parts be very fitly

applyed to this _Chamælæa_: and euen these words, _Semen

annexum folijs_, wherein may be the greatest doubt in the

description, may not vnfitly bee construed, that as is seene in

the plant, the berries growe at the foote of the leaues, about

the branches: the faculties indeede that Dioscorides giueth to

_Chamædaphne_, are (if any repugnancie be) the greatest let

or hinderance, that this _Chamælæa_ should not be it: but I

leaue the discussing of these and others of the like nature, to

our learned Physitians; for I deale not so much with vertues

as with descriptions. The second is called of Lobel _Chamælæa

Alpine incana_, of Clusius _Chamælæa secunda_, and saith hee

had it out of Italy. Wee may call it in English, Mountaine

Spurge Oliue, as it is in the description, or Mountaine

Laurell, which you will. The last hath the name of _Cneorum_,

first giuen it by Matthiolus, which since is continued by all

others. Bauhinus (as I said) referreth it to the Mountaine

Campions, but Clusius (as I doe) to the kindes of _Chamælæa_

or _Thymælæa_. For want of an English name I haue (as you see,

and that is according to the name the Germane women, as Clusius

saith, doe call it) entituled it the Small Rocke Rose; which

may abide vntill a fitter may be conferred vpon it.

[Illustration:

1 _Chamælæa Germanica seu Mezereon._ Mezereon or Dwarfe Bay.

2 _Chamælæa Alpina._ Mountain or Spurge Oliue.

3 _Cneorum Matthioli._ Small Rocke Roses.

4 _Laurus Tinus siue siluestris._ The wild Bay tree.

5 _Oleander siue Laurus Rosea._ The Rose Bay tree.

6 _Laurocerasus._ The Bay Cherrie tree.

]

The Vertues.

All these plants except the last, as well leaues as berries,

are violent purgers, and therefore great caution is to bee had

in the vse of them. The last hath not beene applyed for any

disease that I know.

CHAP. CIIIA.

_Laurus._ The Bay Tree.

My meaning is not to make any description of our ordinary Bayes in

this place (for as all may very well know, they may be for an Orchard

or Courtyard, and not for this Garden) but of two or three other

kindes, whose beautifull aspect haue caused them to be worthy of a

place therein: the one is called _Laurus Tinus_, The wilde Baye: the

other _Laurus Rosea_ or _Oleander_, The Rose Bay: and a third is

_Laurocerasus_, The Cherry Bay; which may haue not onely some respect

for his long bush of sweet smelling flowers, but especially for the

comely statelinesse of his gallant euer fresh greene leaues; and the

rather, because with vs in most places, it doth but _frutescere_, vse

to bee Shrub high, not _arborescere_, Tree high, which is the more fit

for this Garden.

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

This wilde Baye groweth seldome to bee a tree of any height, but

abideth for the most part low, shooting forth diuers slender branches,

whereon at euery ioynt stand two leaues, long, smooth, and of a darke

greene colour, somewhat like vnto the leaues of the Female Cornell

tree, or between that and Baye leaues: at the toppes of the branches

stand many small white sweete smelling flowers, thrusting together, as

it were in an vmbell or tuft, consisting of fiue leaues a peece, the

edges whereof haue a shew of a wash purple, or light blush in them,

which for the most part fall away without bearing any perfect ripe

fruit in our Countrey: Yet sometimes it hath small black berries, as if

they were good, but are not. In his naturall place it beareth small,

round, hard and pointed berries, of a shining blacke colour, for such

haue come often to my hands (yet Clusius writeth they are blew); but

I could neuer see any spring that I put into the ground. This that I

here describe, seemeth to me to be neither of both those that Clusius

saw growing in Spain and Portugall, but that other, that (as he saith)

sprang in the low Countreyes of Italian seede.

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

Of the Rose Bay there are two sorts, one bearing crimson coloured

flowers, which is more frequent, and the other white, which is more

rare. They are so like in all other things, that they neede but one

description for both. The stemme or trunke is many times with vs, as

bigge at the bottome as a good mans thumbe, but growing vp smaller,

it diuideth it selfe into branches, three for the most part comming

from one ioynt or place, and those branches againe doe likewise diuide

themselues into three other, and so by degrees from three to three,

as long as it groweth: the lowest of these are bare of leaues, hauing

shed or lost them by the cold of winters, keeping onely leaues on

the vppermost branches, which are long, and somewhat narrow, like in

forme vnto Peach leaues, but thicker, harder, and of a darke greene

colour on the vpperside, and yellowish greene vnderneath: at the tops

of the young branches come forth the flowers, which in the one sort

before they are open, are of an excellent bright crimson colour, and

being blowen, consist of foure long and narrow leaues, round pointed,

somewhat twining themselues, of a paler red colour, almost tending

to blush, and in the other are white, the greene leaues also being

of a little fresher colour: after the flowers are past, in the hot

countries, but neuer in ours, there come vp long bending or crooked

flat pods, whose outward shell is hard, almost woody, and of a browne

colour, wherein is contained small flat brownish seede, wrapped in

a great deale of a brownish yellow doune, as fine almost as silke,

somewhat like vnto the huskes of _Asclepias_, or _Periploca_, but

larger, flatter and harder; as my selfe can testifie, who had some of

the pods of this Rose bay, brought mee out of Spaine, by Master Doctor

Iohn More, the seedes whereof I sowed, and had diuers plants that I

raised vp vnto a reasonable height, but they require, as well old as

young, to bee defended from the colde of our winters.

3. _Laurocerasus._ The Bay Cherry.

This beautifull bay in his naturall place of growing, groweth to bee a

tree of a reasonable bignesse and height, and oftentimes with vs also

if it bee pruined from the lower branches; but more vsually in these

colder Countries, it groweth as a shrub or hedge bush, shooting forth

many branches, whereof the greater and lower are couered with a darke

grayish greene barke, but the young ones are very greene, whereon are

set many goodly, faire, large, thicke and long leaues, a little dented

about the edges, of a more excellent fresh shining greene colour, and

farre larger then any Bay leafe, and compared by many to the leaues of

the _Pomeritron_ tree (which because wee haue none in our Countrey,

cannot be so well known) both for colour and largenesse, which yeeld a

most gracefull aspect: it beareth long stalkes of whitish flowers, at

the ioynts of the leaues both along the branches and towards the ends

of them also, like vnto the Birds Cherry or _Padus Theophrasti_, which

the French men call _Putier & Cerisier blanc_, but larger and greater,

consisting of fiue leaues with many threds in the middle: after which

commeth the fruite or berries, as large or great as Flanders Cherries,

many growing together one by another on a long stalke, as the flowers

did, which are very blacke and shining on the outside, with a little

point at the end, and reasonable sweete in taste, wherein is contained

a hard round stone, very like vnto a Cherry stone, as I haue obserued

as well by those I receiued out of Italie, as by them I had of Master

Iames Cole a Merchant of London lately deceased, which grew at his

house in Highgate, where there is a faire tree which hee defended from

the bitternesse of the weather in winter by casting a blanket ouer the

toppe thereof euery yeare, thereby the better to preserue it.

The Place.

The first is not certainly knowne from whence it came, and is

communicated by the suckers it yeeldeth. The second groweth in

Spaine, Italie, Grece, and many other places: that with white

flowers is recorded by Bellonius, to grow in Candy. The last,

as Matthiolus, and after him Clusius report, came first from

Constantinople: I had a plant hereof by the friendly gift of

Master Iames Cole, the Merchant before remembred, a great louer

of all rarities, who had it growing with him at his countrey

house in Highgate aforesaid, where it hath flowred diuers

times, and borne ripe fruit also.

The Time.

The first flowreth many times in the end of the yeare before

Christmas, and often also in Ianuary, but the most kindly time

is in March and Aprill, when the flowers are sweetest. The

second flowreth not vntill Iuly. The last in May, and the fruit

is ripe in August and September.

The Names.

The first is called _Laurus siluestris_, and _Laurus Tinus_: in

English Wilde Bay, or Sweete flowring Bay. The second is called

_Laurus Rosea_, _Oleander_, _Nerium_, and _Rhododendros_:

in English The Rose Bay, and Oleander. The last was sent by

the name of _Trebezon Curmasi_, that is to say, _Dactylus

Trapezuntina_, but not hauing any affinitie with any kinde of

Bay. Bellonius as I thinke first named it _Laurocerasus_, and

_Cerasus Trapezuntina_. Dalechampius thinketh it to bee _Lotus

Aphricana_, but Clusius refuteth it. Those stones or kernels

that were sent me out of Italie, came by the name of _Laurus

Regia_, The Kings Bay. Wee may most properly call it according

to the Latine name in the title, The Cherry bay, or Bay Cherry,

because his leaues are like vnto Bay-leaues, and both flowers

and fruit like vnto the Birdes Cherry or Cluster Cherry, for

the manner of the growing; and therefore I might more fitly

I confesse haue placed it in my Orchard among the sorts of

Cherries: but the beautifulnesse of the plant caused mee rather

to insert it here.

The Vertues.

The wilde Bay hath no propertie allotted vnto it in Physicke,

but that it is not to be endured, the berries being chewed

declare it to be so violent hot and choking. The Rose Bay is

said by Dioscorides, to be death to all foure footed beasts,

but contrariwise to man it is a remedie against the poison of

Serpents, but especially if Rue bee added vnto it. The Cherry

Bay is not knowne with vs to what physicke vse it may be

applyed.

CHAP. CIIII.

_Cerasus flore multiplici._ The Rose or double blossomd Cherry.

_Malus flore multiplici._ The double blossomd Apple tree. And

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

The beautifull shew of these three sorts of flowers, hath made me

to insert them into this garden, in that for their worthinesse I am

vnwilling to bee without them, although the rest of their kindes I haue

transferred into the Orchard, where among other fruit trees, they shall

be remembred: for all these here set downe, seldome or neuer beare any

fruite, and therefore more fit for a Garden of flowers, then an Orchard

of fruite.

_Cerasus flore pleno vel multiplici._

The Rose Cherry, or Double blossomd Cherry.

The double blossomed Cherry tree is of two sorts for the flower, but

not differing in any other part, from the ordinary English or Flanders

Cherry tree, growing in very like manner: the difference consisteth in

this, that the one of these two sorts hath white flowers lesse double,

that is, of two rowes or more of leaues, and the other more double, or

with more rowes of leaues, and besides I haue obserued in this greater

double blossomd Cherry, that some yeares most of the flowers haue had

another smaller and double flower, rising vp out of the middle of the

other, like as is to bee seene in the double English Crow-foote, and

double redde _Ranunculus_ or Crowfoote, before described: this I say

doth not happen euery yeare, but sometimes. Sometimes also these trees

will giue a few berries, here and there scattered, and that with lesse

double flowers more often, which are like vnto our English Cherries

both for taste and bignesse. These be very fit to be set by Arbours.

[Illustration:

1 _Cerasus flore pleno._ The double blossomd Cherry tree.

2 _Malus flore multiplici._ The double blossomd Apple tree.

3 _Malus Persica flore pleno._ The double blossomd Peach tree.

4 _Periclymenum perfoliatum._ Double Honisuckle.

5 _Periclymenum rectum._ Vpright Honisuckle.

]

_Malus flore multiplici._ The double blossomd Apple tree.

This double blossomd Apple tree is altogether like vnto our ordinary

Pippin tree in body, branch and leafe, the only difference is in the

flower, which is altogether whitish, sauing that the inner leaues

towards the middle are more reddish, but as double and thicke as our

double Damaske Roses, which fall away without bearing fruit.

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

This Peach tree for the manner of growing, is so like vnto an ordinary

Peach tree, that vntill you see it in blossome you can perceiue no

difference: the flower is of the same colour with the blossomes of the

Peach, but consisting of three or foure, or more rowes of leaues, which

fall often away likewise without bearing any fruite; but after it hath

abiden some yeares in a place doth forme into fruite, especially being

planted against a wall.

The Place.

Both the Cherry trees are frequent in many places of England,

noursed for their pleasant flowers. The Apple is as yet a

stranger. And the Peach, hath not been seen or knowne, long

before the writing hereof.

The Time.

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

other kinds.

The Names.

Their names are also sufficiently expressed to know them by.

The Vertues.

Cherries, Peaches and Apples, are recorded in our Orchard, and

there you shall finde the properties of their fruit: for in

that these beare none or very few, their blossomes are of most

vse to grace and decke the persons of those that will weare or

beare them.

CHAP. CV.

_Periclymenum._ Honysuckles.

The Honisuckle that groweth wilde in euery hedge, although it be very

sweete, yet doe I not bring into my garden, but let it rest in his owne

place, to serue their senses that trauell by it, or haue no garden. I

haue three other that furnish my Garden, one that is called double,

whose branches spreade far, and being very fit for an arbour will soone

couer it: the other two stand vpright, and spreade not any way far, yet

their flowers declaring them to be Honisuckles, but of lesse delight, I

consort them with the other.

_Periclymenum perfoliatum siue Italicum._ The double Honisuckle.

The truncke or body of the double Honisuckle, is oftentimes of the

bignesse of a good staffe, running out into many long spreading

branches, couered with a whitish barke, which had neede of some thing

to sustaine them, or else they will fall down to the ground (and

therefore it is vsually planted at an arbour, that it may run thereon,

or against a house wall, and fastened thereto in diuers places with

nailes) from whence spring forth at seuerall distances, and at the

ioynts, two leaues, being like in forme vnto the wilde Honisuckles, and

round pointed for the most part; these branches diuiding themselues

diuers wayes, haue at the toppes of them many flowers, set at certaine

distances one aboue another, with two greene leaues at euery place,

where the flowers doe stand, ioyned so close at the bottome, and so

round and hollow in the middle, that it seemeth like a hollow cuppe or

sawcer of flowers: the flowers stand round about the middle of these

cuppes or sawcers, being long, hollow, and of a whitish yellow colour,

with open mouthes dasht ouer with a light shew of purple, and some

threds within them, very sweet in smell, like both in forme and colour

vnto the common Honisuckles, but that these cuppes with the flowers

in them are two or three standing one aboue another (which make a far

better shew then the common, which come forth all at the heade of the

branches, without any greene leaues or cuppes vnder them) and therefore

these were called double Honisuckles.

_Periclymenum rectum fructu rubro._ Red Honisuckles.

This vpright Woodbinde hath a straight woody stemme, diuided into

seuerall branches, about three or foure foote high, couered with a very

thinne whitish barke, whereon stand two leaues together at the ioynts,

being lesser then the former, smooth and plaine, and a little pointed:

the flowers come forth vpon slender long footstalks at the ioynts where

the leaues stand, alwayes two set together, and neuer more, but seldome

one alone, which are much smaller then the former, but of the same

fashion, with a little button at the foote of the flower; the buds of

the flowers before they are open are very reddish, but being open are

not so red, but tending to a kinde of yellowish blush colour: after

which come in their places two small red berries, the one withered for

the most part, or at least smaller then the other, but (as Clusius

saith) in their naturall places they are both full and of one bignesse.

_Periclymenum rectum fructu cæruleo._ Blew berried Honisuckles.

This other vpright Woodbinde groweth vp as high as the former, or

rather somewhat higher, couered with a blackish rugged barke, chapping

in diuers places, the younger branches whereof are somewhat reddish,

and couered with an hoary doune: the leaues stand two together at the

ioints, somewhat larger then the former, and more whitish vnderneath:

the flowers are likewise two standing together, at the end of a slender

footestalke, of a pale yellowish colour when they are blowne, but more

reddish in the bud: the berries stand two together as the former, of

a darke blewish colour when they are fully ripe, and full of a red

liquour or iuice, of a pleasant taste, which doth not only dye the

hands of them that gather them, but serueth for a dying colour to the

inhabitants where they grow plentifully, wherein are contained many

flat seede: The roote is woody as the former is.

The Place.

The first groweth in Italie, Spaine, and Prouence of France,

but not in the colder countreyes, vnlesse it be there planted,

as is most frequent in our countrey. The others grow in

Austria, and Stiria, as Clusius saith, and are entertained into

their gardens onely that are curious.

The Time.

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

The Names.

The first is called _Periclymenum_, _Caprifolium perfoliatum_,

and _Italicum_, as a difference from the common kinde: In

English Double Woodbinde, or double Honisuckles. The others,

as they are rare, and little knowne, so are their names also:

yet according to their Latine, I haue giuen them English names.

The Vertues.

The double Honisuckle is as effectuall in all things, as the

single wilde kinde, and besides, is an especiall good wound

herbe for the head or other parts. I haue not knowne the

vpright kindes vsed in Physicke.

CHAP. CVI.

_Iasminum siue Gelseminum._ Iasmine or Gesmine.

We haue but one sort of true Iasmine ordinarily in our Gardens

throughout the whole Land; but there is another greater sort, which

is farre more tender, brought out of Spaine, and will hardly endure

any long time with vs, vnlesse it be very carefully preserued. Wee

haue a third kinde called a yellow Iasmine, but differeth much from

their tribe in many notable points: but because the flowers haue some

likenesse with the flowers of the true Iasmine, it hath been vsually

called a Iasmine; and therefore I am content for this Garden to

conioyne them in one Chapter.

1. _Iasminum album._ The white Iasmine.

The white Iasmine hath many twiggy flexible greene branches, comming

forth of the sundry bigger boughes or stems, that rise from the roote,

which are couered with a grayish darke coloured barke, hauing a white

pith within it like the Elder, but not so much: the winged leaues stand

alwaies two together at the ioynts, being made of manie small and

pointed leaues, set on each side of a middle ribbe, six most vsually

on both sides, with one at the end, which is larger, more pointed then

any of the rest, and of a darke greene colour: at the toppes of the

young branches stand diuers flowers together, as it were in an vmbell

or tuft, each whereof standeth on a long greene stalke, comming out of

a small huske, being small, long, and hollow belowe, opening into fiue

white small, pointed leaues, of a very strong sweete smell, which fall

away without bearing any fruit at all, that euer I could learne in our

Country; but in the hot Countries where it is naturall, it is said to

beare flat fruit, like Lupines: the rootes spread farre and deepe, and

are long and hard to growe, vntill they haue taken strong hold in the

ground.

2. _Iasminum Catalonicum._ The Spanish Iasmine.

This Catalonia Iasmine groweth lower then the former, neuer rising

halfe so high, and hath slender long greene branches, rising from the

toppe of the wooddy stemme, with such like leaues set on them as the

former, but somewhat shorter and larger: the flowers also are like vnto

the former, and stand in the same manner at the end of the branches,

but are much larger, being of a blush colour before they are blowne,

and white with blush edges when they are open, exceeding sweete of

smell, more strong then the former.

3. _Iasminum luteum, siue Trifolium fruticans alijs Polemonium._

The yellow Iasmine.

This that is called the yellow Iasmine, hath many long slender twiggy

branches rising from the roote, greene at the first, and couered with a

darke grayish barke afterwards, whereon are set at certaine distances,

three small darke greene leaues together, the end leafe being alwaies

the biggest: at the ioynts where the leaues come forth, stand long

stalkes, bearing long hollow flowers, ending in fiue, and some in six

leaues, very like vnto the flowers of the first Iasmine, but yellow,

whereupon it is vsually called the Yellow Iasmine: after the flowers

are past, there come in their places round blacke shining berries, of

the bignesse of a great Pease, or bigger, full of a purplish iuyce,

which will dye ones fingers that bruise them but a little: the roote is

tough, and white, creeping farre about vnder the ground, shooting forth

plentifully, whereby it greatly encreaseth.

The Place.

The first is verily thought to haue been first brought to

Spaine out of Syria, or thereabouts, and from Spaine to vs, and

is to be seene very often, and in many of our Country Gardens.

The second hath his breeding in Spaine also, but whether it be

his originall place we know not, and is scarce yet made well

acquainted with our English ayre. The third groweth plentifully

about Mompelier, and will well abide in our London Gardens, and

any where else.

The Time.

The first flowreth not vntill the end of Iuly. The second

somewhat earlier. The third in Iuly also.

The Names.

The first is generally called _Iasminum album_, and _Gelseminum

album_: In English, The white Iasmine. The second hath his

name in his title, as much as may be said of it. The third

hath been taken of some to be a _Cytisus_, others iudge it to

be _Polemonium_, but the truest name is _Trifolium fruticans_,

although many call it _Iasminum luteum_: In English most

vsually, The yellow Iasmine, for the reasons aforesaid; or else

after the Latine name, Shrubbie Trefoile, or Make-bate.

The Vertues.

The white Iasmines haue beene in all times accepted into

outward medicines, eyther for the pleasure of the sweete sent,

or profit of the warming properties. And is in these dayes

onely vsed as an ornament in Gardens, or for sent of the

flowers in the house, &c. The yellow Iasmine, although some

haue adiudged it to be the _Polemonium_ of Dioscorides, yet it

is not vsed to those purposes by any that I know.

CHAP. CVII.

_Syringa._ The Pipe tree.

Vnder the name of _Syringa_, is contained two speciall kinds of

Shrubs or Trees, differing one from another; namely, the _Lilac_ of

Matthiolus, which is called _Syringa cærulea_, and is of two or three

sorts: And the _Syringa alba_, which also is of two sorts, as shall bee

declared.

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

The blew Pipe tree riseth sometimes to be a great tree, as high and

bigge in the bodie as a reasonable Apple tree (as I haue in some places

seene and obserued) but most vsually groweth lower, with many twigs

or branches rising from the roote, hauing as much pith in the middle

of them as the Elder hath, couered with a grayish greene barke, but

darker in the elder branches, with ioynts set at a good distance one

from another, and two leaues at euery ioynt, which are large, broad,

and pointed at the ends, many of them turning or folding both the

sides inward, and standing on long foote stalkes: at the toppes of

the branches come forth many flowers, growing spike-fashion, that is,

a long branch of flowers vpon a stalke, each of these flowers are

small, long, and hollow belowe, ending aboue in a pale blewish flower,

consisting of foure small leaues, of a pretty small sent: after the

flowers are past, there come sometimes (but it is not often in our

Country, vnlesse the tree haue stood long, and is grown great, the

suckers being continually taken away, that it may growe the better)

long and flat cods, consisting as it were of two sides, a thin skinne

being in the midst, wherein are contained two long flattish red seede:

the rootes are strong, and growe deepe in the ground.

2. _Syringa flore lacteo siue argenteo._

The siluer coloured Pipe tree.

This Pipe tree differeth not from the former blew Pipe tree, either in

stemme or branches, either in leaues or flowers, or manner of growing,

but onely in the colour of the flower, which in this is of a milke, or

siluer colour, which is a kinde of white, wherein there is a thinne

wash, or light shew of blew shed therein, comming somewhat neare vnto

an ash-colour.

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

This Pipe tree should not differ from the first in any other thing then

in the leaues, which are said to be cut in on the edges into seuerall

parts, as the relation is giuen _à viris fide dignis_; for as yet I

neuer saw any such; but I here am bold to set it downe, to induce and

prouoke some louer of plants to obtaine it for his pleasure, and others

also.

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

The single white Pipe tree or bush, neuer commeth to that height of the

former, but abideth alwaies like a hedge tree or bush, full of shootes

or suckers from the roote, much more then the former: the young shootes

hereof are reddish on the outside, and afterward reddish at the ioynts,

and grayish all the rest ouer: the young as well as the old branches,

haue some pith in the middle of them, like as the Elder hath: the

leaues stand two at a ioynt, somewhat like the former, but more rugged

or crumpled, as also a little pointed, and dented about the edges: the

flowers growe at the toppes of the branches, diuers standing together,

consisting of foure white leaues, like vnto small Muske Roses, and of

the same creame colour, as I may call it, with many small yellowish

threads in the middle, and are of a strong, full, or heady sent, not

pleasing to a great many, by reason of the strange quicknesse of the

sent: the fruit followeth, being flat at the head, with many leafie

shels or scales compassing it, wherein is enclosed small long seede:

the rootes runne not deepe, but spread vnder the ground, with many

fibres annexed vnto them.

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

This Pipe tree hath diuers long and slender branches, whereon growe

large leaues, somewhat like vnto the leaues of the former single white

kinde, but not so rough or hard, and not at all dented about the edges,

two alwaies standing one against another at euery ioynt of the stalke,

but set or disposed on contrary sides, and not all vpon one side; at

the ends whereof come forth diuers flowers, euery one standing on his

owne foote-stalke, the hose or huske being long and hollow, like vnto

the white Iasmine, and the flowers therein consisting of a double rowe

of white and round pointed leaues, fiue or six in a rowe, with some

yellownesse in the middle, which is hollow, of a very strong and heady

sweet sent, and abiding a long time flowring, especially in the hotter

Countries, but is very tender, and not able to abide any the least cold

weather with vs; for the cold windes will (as I vnderstand) greatly

molest it: and therefore must as charily be kept as Orenge trees with

vs, if wee will haue it to abide.

[Illustration:

1 _Iasminum album vulgare._ The ordinary white Iasmine.

2 _Iasminum Americanum siue Convolvulus Americanus._ The Iasmine or

Bindweed of America.

3 _Iasminum luteum vulgare._ The yellow Iasmine.

4 _Lilac seu Syringa cærulea._ The blew Pipe tree.

5 _Syringa alba vulgaris._ The single white Syringa or Pipe tree.

6 _Syringa flore albo duplici._ The double white Syringa.

7 _Sambucus rosea._ The Elder or Gelder Rose.

]

The Place.

The first groweth in Arabia (as Matthiolus thinketh, that had

it from Constantinople.) We haue it plentifully in our Gardens.

The second and third are strangers with vs as yet. The fourth

is as frequent as the first, or rather more, but his originall

is not knowne. The last hath his originall from Arabia, as his

name importeth.

The Time.

The first, second, and third flower in Aprill, the other two

not vntill May.

The Names.

The first is called of Matthiolus _Lilac_, and by that name is

most vsually called in all parts. It is also called _Syringa

cærulea_, because it commeth nearest vnto those woods, which

for their pithy substance, were made hollow into pipes. It

is called of all in English, The blew Pipe tree. It seemeth

likely, that Petrus Bellonius in his third Booke and fiftieth

Chapter of his obseruations (making mention of a shrubbe that

the Turkes haue, with Iuie leaues alwaies greene, bearing

blew or violet coloured flowers on a long stalke, of the

bignesse and fashion of a Foxe taile, and thereupon called

in their language a Foxe taile) doth vnderstand this plant

here expressed. The certainty whereof might easily be knowne,

if any of our Merchants there residing, would but call for

such a shrubbe, by the name of a Foxe taile in the Turkish

tongue, and take care to send a young roote, in a small tubbe

or basket with earth by Sea, vnto vs here at London, which

would be performed with a very little paines and cost. The

second and third, as kindes thereof, haue their names in their

titles. The fourth is called by Clusius and others, _Frutex

Coronarius_; some doe call it _Lilac flore albo_, but that name

is not proper, in that it doth confound both kindes together.

Lobel calleth it _Syringa Italica_. It is now generally called

of all _Syringa alba_, that is in English, The white Pipe

tree. Some would haue it to bee _Ostrys_ of Theophrastus,

but Clusius hath sufficiently cleared that doubt. Of others

_Ligustrum Orientale_, which it cannot be neither; for the

_Cyprus_ of Plinie is Dioscorides his _Ligustrum_, which

may be called _Orientale_, in that it is most proper to the

Easterne Countries, and is very sweete, whose seede is like

vnto Coriander seede. The last is called by diuers _Syringa

Arabica flore albo duplici_, as most fitly agreeing thereunto.

Of Basilius Beslerus that set forth the great booke of the

Bishop of Eystot in Germany his Garden, _Syringa Italica

flore albo pleno_, because, as it is likely, hee had it from

Italy. It is very likely, that Prosper Alpinus in his booke of

Egyptian plants, doth meane this plant, which hee there calleth

_Sambach, siue Iasminum Arabicum_. Matthæus Caccini of Florence

in his letter to Clusius entituleth it _Syringa Arabica,

siue Iasminum Arabicum, siue Iasminum ex Gine_, whereby hee

declareth that it may not vnfitly be referred to either of them

both. We may call it in English as it is in the title, The

double white Pipe tree.

The Vertues.

We haue no vse of these in Physicke that I know, although

Prosper Alpinus saith, the double white Pipe tree is much vsed

in Egypt to help women in their trauailes of childbirth.

CHAP. CVIII.

_Sambucus Rosea._ The Elder or Gelder Rose.

Although there be diuers kindes of Elders, yet there is but one kinde

of Elder Rose, whereof I meane to intreate in this Chapter, being of

neare affinity in some things vnto the former Pipe trees, and which

for the beauty of it deserueth to be remembred among the delights of a

Garden.

_Sambucus Rosea._ The Gelder Rose.

The Gelder Rose (as it is called) groweth to a reasonable height,

standing like a tree, with a trunke as bigge as any mans arme, couered

with a darke grayish barke, somewhat rugged and very knotty: the

younger branches are smooth and white, with a pithy substance in the

middle, as the Elders haue, to shew that it is a kind thereof, whereon

are set broad leaues, diuided into three parts or diuisions, somewhat

like vnto a Vine leafe, but smaller, and more rugged or crumpled,

iagged or cut also about the edges: at the toppes of euery one of the

young branches, most vsually commeth forth a great tuft, or ball as it

were, of many white flowers, set so close together, that there can be

no distinction of any seuerall flower seene, nor doth it seeme like

the double flower of any other plant, that hath many rowes of leaues

set together, but is a cluster of white leaued flowers set together

vpon the stalke that vpholdeth them, of a small sent, which fall away

without bearing any fruit in our Country, that euer I could obserue

or learne: The roote spreadeth neither farre nor deepe, but shooteth

many small rootes and fibres, whereby it is fastened in the ground, and

draweth nourishment to it, and sometimes yeeldeth suckers from it.

The Place.

It should seeme, that the naturall place of this Elder is wet

and moist grounds, because it is so like vnto the Marsh Elder,

which is the single kind hereof. It is onely noursed vp in

Gardens in all our Country.

The Time.

It flowreth in May, much about the time of the double Peony

flower, both which being set together, make a pleasant variety,

to decke vp the windowes of a house.

The Names.

It is generally called _Sambucus Rosea_: In English, The Elder

Rose, and more commonly after the Dutch name, the Gelder Rose.

Dalechampius seemeth to make it _Thraupalus_ of Theophrastus,

or rather the single Marsh Elder; for I thinke this double

kinde was not knowne in Theophrastus his time.

The Vertues.

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

CHAP. CIX.

_Rosa._ The Rose tree or bush.

The great varietie of Roses is much to be admired, beeing more then

is to bee seene in any other shrubby plant that I know, both for

colour, forme and smell. I haue to furnish this garden thirty sorts

at the least, euery one notably differing from the other, and all fit

to be here entertained: for there are some other, that being wilde

and of no beautie or smell, we forbeare, and leaue to their wilde

habitations. To distinguish them by their colours, as white, red,

incarnate, and yellow, were a way that many might take, but I hold

it not so conuenient for diuers respects: for so I should confound

those of diuers sorts one among another, and I should not keepe that

methode which to me seemeth most conuenient, which is, to place and

ranke euery kinde, whether single or double, one next vnto the other,

that so you may the better vnderstand their varieties and differences:

I will therefore beginne with the most ancient, and knowne Roses to

our Countrey, whether naturall or no I know not, but assumed by our

precedent Kings of all others, to bee cognisances of their dignitie,

the white Rose and the red, whom shall follow the damaske, of the

finest sent, and most vse of all the other sorts, and the rest in their

order.

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

The white Rose is of two kindes, the one more thicke and double then

the other: The one riseth vp in some shadowie places, vnto eight or ten

foote high, with a stocke of a great bignesse for a Rose. The other

growing seldome higher then a Damaske Rose. Some doe iudge both these

to be but one kinde, the diuersitie happening by the ayre, or ground,

or both. Both these Roses haue somewhat smaller and whiter greene

leaues then in many other Roses, fiue most vsually set on a stalke,

and more white vnderneath, as also a whiter greene barke, armed with

sharpe thornes or prickles, whereby they are soone known from other

Roses, although the one not so easily from the other: the flowers in

the one are whitish, with an eye or shew of a blush, especially towards

the ground or bottome of the flower, very thicke double, and close

set together, and for the most part not opening it selfe so largely

and fully as eyther the Red or Damaske Rose. The other more white,

lesse thicke and double, and opening it selfe more, and some so little

double as but of two or three rowes, that they might be held to be

single, yet all of little or no smell at all. To describe you all the

seuerall parts of the Rose, as the bud, the beards, the threds &c. were

needlesse, they are so conuersant in euery ones hand, that I shall not

neede but to touch the most speciall parts of the varieties of them,

and leaue a more exact relation of all things incident vnto them, vnto

a generall worke.

2. _Rosa Incarnata._ The Carnation Rose.

The Carnation Rose is in most things like vnto the lesser white rose,

both for the growing of the stocke, and bignesse of the flower, but

that it is more spreade abroade when it is blown then the white is, and

is of a pale blush colour all the flower thoroughout, of as small a

sent as the white one is almost.

[Sidenote: _Rosa Belgica siue Vitrea._]

This kinde of Rose is not very great, but very thicke and double, and

is very variable in the flowers, in that they will be so different

one from another: some being paler then others, and some as it were

blasted, which commeth not casually, but naturally to this rose: but

the best flowers (whereof there will bee still some) will be of a

bright pale murrey colour, neere vnto the Veluet rose, but nothing so

darke a colour.

3. _Rosa Anglica rubra._ The English red Rose.

The red Rose (which I call English not only for the reason before

expressed, but because (as I take it) this Rose is more frequent and

vsed in England, then in other places) neuer groweth so high as the

damaske Rose bush, but most vsually abideth low, and shooteth forth

many branches from the roote (and is but seldome suffered to grow vp as

the damaske Rose into standards) with a greene barke, thinner set with

prickles, and larger and greener leaues on the vpperside then in the

white, yet with an eye of white vpon them, fiue likewise most vsually

set vpon a stalke, and grayish or whitish vnderneath. The Roses or

Flowers doe very much vary, according to their site and abiding; for

some are of an orient, red or deepe crimson colour, and very double

(although neuer so double as the white) which when it is full blowne

hath the largest leaues of any other Rose; some of them againe are

paler, tending somewhat to a damaske; and some are of so pale a red,

as that it is rather of the colour of the canker Rose, yet all for

the most part with larger leaues then the damaske, and with many more

yellow threds in the middle: the sent hereof is much better then in the

white, but not comparable to the excellencie of the damaske Rose, yet

this Rose being well dryed and well kept, will hold both colour and

sent longer then the damaske, bee it neuer so well kept.

4. _Rosa Damascena._ The Damaske Rose.

The Damaske Rose bush is more vsually noursed vp to a competent height

to stand alone, (which we call Standards) then any other Rose: the

barke both of the stocke and branches, is not fully so greene as the

red or white Rose: the leaues are greene with an eye of white vpon

them, so like vnto the red Rose, that there is no great difference

betweene them, but that the leaues of the red Rose seeme to bee of a

darker greene. The flowers are of a fine deepe blush colour, as all

know, with some pale yellow threds in the middle, and are not so thicke

and double as the white, not being blowne, with so large and great

leaues as the red, but of the most excellent sweet pleasant sent, far

surpassing all other Roses or Flowers, being neyther heady nor too

strong, nor stuffing or vnpleasant sweet, as many other flowers.

5. _Rosa Prouincialis siue Hollandica Damascena._

The great double Damaske Prouince or Holland Rose.

This Rose (that some call _Centifolia Batauica incarnata_) hath his

barke of a reddish or browne colour, whereby it is soone discerned from

other Roses. The leaues are likewise more reddish then in others, and

somewhat larger, it vsually groweth very like the Damaske rose, and

much to the same height: the flowers or roses are of the same deepe

blush colour that the damaske roses are, or rather somewhat deeper,

but much thicker, broader, and more double, or fuller of leaues by

three parts almost, the outer leaues turning themselues backe, when the

flower hath stood long blowne, the middle part it selfe (which in all

other roses almost haue some yellow threds in them to be seene) being

folded hard with small leaues, without any yellow almost at all to be

seene, the sent whereof commeth neerest vnto the damaske rose, but yet

is short of it by much, howsoeuer many doe thinke it as good as the

damask, and to that end I haue known some Gentlewomen haue caused all

their damaske stockes to bee grafted with prouince Roses, hoping to

haue as good water, and more store of them then of damask Roses; but in

my opinion it is not of halfe so good a sent as the water of damaske

Roses: let euery one follow their own fancie.

6. _Rosa Prouincialis rubra._ The red Prouince Rose.

As the former was called _incarnata_, so this is called _Batauica

centifolia rubra_, the difference being not very great: the stemme or

stocke, and the branches also in this, seeming not to be so great but

greener, the barke being not so red; the leaues of the same largenesse

with the former damaske Prouince. The flowers are not altogether so

large, thicke and double, and of a little deeper damaske or blush

colour, turning to a red Rose, but not comming neere the full colour

of the best red Rose, of a sent not so sweete as the damaske Prouince,

but comming somewhat neere the sent of the ordinary red rose, yet

exceeding it. This rose is not so plentifull in bearing as the damaske

Prouince.

7. _Rosa Prouincialis alba._ The white Prouince Rose.

It is said of diuers, that there is a white Prouince Rose, whereof I

am not _oculatus testis_, and therefore I dare not giue it you for

a certaintie, and indeed I haue some doubt, that it is the greater

and more double white rose, whereof I gaue you the knowledge in the

beginning: when I am my selfe better satisfied, I shall bee ready to

satisfie others.

8. _Rosa versicolor._

The party coloured Rose, of some Yorke and Lancaster.

This Rose in the forme and order of the growing, is neerest vnto the

ordinary damaske rose, both for stemme, branch, leafe and flower: the

difference consisting in this, that the flower (being of the same

largenesse and doublenesse as the damask rose) hath the one halfe of

it, sometimes of a pale whitish colour, and the other halfe, of a paler

damaske colour then the ordinary; this happeneth so many times, and

sometimes also the flower hath diuers stripes, and markes in it, as

one leafe white, or striped with white, and the other halfe blush, or

striped with blush, sometimes also all striped, or spotted ouer, and

other times little or no stripes or markes at all, as nature listeth

to play with varieties, in this as in other flowers: yet this I haue

obserued, that the longer it abideth blowen open in the sun, the paler

and the fewer stripes, markes or spots will be seene in it: the smell

whereof is of a weake damaske rose sent.

9. _Rosea Chrystallina._ The Chrystall Rose.

This Rose is very like vnto the last described, both for stocke, branch

and leafe: the flower hereof is not much different from it, being no

great large or double Rose, but of a meane size, striped and marked

with a deeper blush or red, vpon the pale coloured leafe, that it

seemeth in the marking and beauty thereof, to bee of as much delight as

the Chrystall Gilloflower: this, euen like the former, soone fadeth and

passeth away, not yeelding any great store of flowers any yeare.

10. _Rosa rubra humilis siue pumilio._

The dwarfe red Rose, or Gilloflower Rose.

This Rose groweth alwayes low and small, otherwise in most respects

like vnto the ordinary redde Rose, and with few or no thornes vpon

it: the Flowers or Roses are double, thicke, small and close, not so

much spread open as the ordinary red, but somewhat like vnto the first

double white Rose before expressed; yet in some places I haue seene

them more layde open then these, as they grew in my garden, being so

euen at the toppes of the leaues, as if they had been clipt off with

a paire of sheeres, and are not fully of so red a colour as the red

Prouince Rose, and of as small or weak sent as the ordinary red Rose,

or not so much.

11. _Rosa Francafurtensis._ The Franckford Rose.

The young shootes of this Rose are couered with a pale purplish barke,

set with a number of small prickes like haires, and the elder haue but

very few thornes: the flower or rose it selfe hath a very great bud or

button vnder it, more then in any other rose, and is thicke and double

as a red rose, but so strongly swelling in the bud, that many of them

breake before they can be full blowen, and then they are of a pale red

rose colour, that is, betweene a red and a damaske, with a very thicke

broade and hard vmbone of short yellow threds or thrumes in the middle,

the huske of the flower hauing long ends, which are called the beards

of the rose, which in all other are iagged in some of them, in this

hath no iagge at all; the smell is neerest vnto a red Rose.

[Illustration:

1 _Rosa Damascena._ The Damaske Rose.

2 _Rosa Prouincialis siue Hollandica._ The great Prouince Rose.

3 _Rosa Francafurtensis._ The Franckford Rose.

4 _Rosa rubra humilis._ The dwarfe red Rose.

5 _Rosa Hungarica._ The Hungarian Rose.

6 _Rosa lutea multiplex._ The great double yellow Rose.

]

12. _Rosa Hungarica._ The Hungarian Rose.

The Hungarian Rose hath greene shootes slenderly set with prickes, and

seldome groweth higher then ordinarily the red Rose doth; the stemme or

stocke being much about that bignesse: the flower or rose is as great,

thicke and double, as the ordinary red Rose, and of the same fashion,

of a paler red colour, and beeing neerely looked vpon is finely spotted

with faint spots, as it were spreade ouer the red; the smell wherof is

somewhat better then the smell of the ordinary red Rose of the best

kinde.

13. _Rosa Holoserica simplex & multiplex._

The Veluet Rose single and double.

The old stemme or stock of the veluet Rose is couered with a dark

coloured barke, and the young shootes of a sad greene with very few or

no thornes at all vpon them: the leaues are of a sadder greene colour

then in most sorts of Roses, and very often seuen on a stalke, many

of the rest hauing but fiue: the Rose is eyther single or double: the

single is a broade spread flower, consisting of fiue or sixe broade

leaues with many yellow threds in the middle: the double hath two

rowes of leaues, the one large, which are outermost, the other smaller

within, of a very deepe red crimson colour like vnto crimson veluet,

with many yellow threds also in the middle; and yet for all the double

rowe of leaues, these Roses stand but like single flowers: but there

is another double kinde that is more double then this last, consisting

oftentimes of sixteene leaues or more in a flower, and most of them

of an equall bignesse, of the colour of the first single rose of this

kinde, or somewhat fresher; but all of them of a smaller sent then the

ordinary red Rose.

14. _Rosa siue spinis simplex & multiplex._

The Rose without thornes single and double.

The Rose without thornes hath diuers greene smooth shootes, rising

from the root, without any pricke or thorne at all vpon them, eyther

young or old: the leaues are not fully so large as of the red rose: the

flowers or roses are not much bigger then those of the double Cinamon

Rose, thicke set together and short, of a pale red Rose colour, with

diuers pale coloured veines through euery leafe of the flower, which

hath caused some to call it The marbled Rose, and is of a small sent,

not fully equall to the red Rose. The single of this kinde differeth

not in any other thing from the former, then in the doublenesse or

singlenesse of the flowers which in this are not halfe so double, nor

yet fully single, and are of a paler red colour.

[Sidenote: _Rosa siue spina flore albo._]

I haue heard likewise of a white Rose of this kinde, but I haue seene

none such as yet, therefore I can say no more thereof.

15. _Rosa Cinamomea simplex & multiplex._

The Cinamon Rose single and double.

The single Cinamon Rose hath his shootes somewhat red, yet not so red

as the double kinde, armed with great thornes, like almost vnto the

Eglantine bush thereby showing, as well by the multiplicitie of his

shootes as the quicknesse and height of his shooting, his wilde nature:

On the stemme and branches stand winged leaues, sometimes seuen or more

together, which are small and greene, yet like vnto other Roses. The

Roses are single, of fiue leaues a peece, somewhat large, and of a pale

red colour, like vnto the double kinde, which is in shootes redder, and

in all other things like vnto the single, but bearing small, short,

thicke and double Roses, somewhat like vnto the Rose without thornes,

but a little lesser, of a paler red colour at the end of the leaues,

and somewhat redder and brighter toward the middle of them, with many

yellow short thrumes; the small sent of Cinamon that is found in the

flowers hath caused it to beare the name.

16. _Rosa lutea simplex._ The single yellow Rose.

This single yellow Rose is planted rather for variety then any other

good vse. It often groweth to a good height, his stemme being great and

wooddy, with few or no prickes vpon the old wood, but with a number of

small prickes like haires, thicke set, vpon the younger branches, of a

darke colour somewhat reddish, the barke of the young shootes being of

a sad greene reddish colour: the leaues of this Rose bush are smaller,

rounder pointed, of a paler greene colour, yet finely snipt about the

edges, and more in number, that is, seuen or nine on a stalke or ribbe,

then in any other Garden kinde, except the double of the same kinde

that followeth next: the flower is a small single Rose, consisting

of fiue leaues, not so large as the single Spanish Muske Rose, but

somewhat bigger then the Eglantine or sweete Briar Rose, of a fine pale

yellow colour, without any great sent at all while it is fresh, but a

little more, yet small and weake when it is dryed.

17. _Rosa lutea multiplex siue flore pleno._ The double yellow Rose.

The double yellow Rose is of great account, both for the rarity, and

doublenesse of the flower, and had it sent to the rest, would of all

other be of highest esteeme. The stemme or stocke, the young shoots or

branches, the small hairy prickes, and the small winged leaues, are in

all parts like vnto the former single kinde; the chiefest difference

consisteth in the doublenesse of the flower or Rose, which is so thicke

and double, that very often it breaketh out on one side or another,

and but a few of them abiding whole and faire in our Countrey, the

cause whereof wee doe imagine to bee the much moisture of our Countrey,

and the time of flowring being subiect to much raine and showers;

many therefore doe either plant it against a wall, or other wayes

defend it by couering: againe, it is so plentifull in young shootes or

branches, as also in flowers at the toppe or euery branch, which are

small and weake for the most part, that they are not able to bring all

the flowers to ripenesse; and therefore most of them fall or wither

away without comming to perfection (the remedy that many doe vse for

this inconuenience last recited is, that they nippe away most of the

buds, leauing but some few vpon it, that so the vigour of the plant

may be collected into a few flowers, whereby they may the better come

to perfection, and yet euen thus it is hardly effected) which are of

a yellowish greene colour in the bud, and before they be blowne open,

but then are of a faire yellow colour, very full of leaues, with many

short haires rather then leaues in the middle, and hauing short, round,

greene, smooth buttons, almost flat vnder them: the flower being faire

blowne open, doth scarce giue place for largenesse, thicknesse, and

doublenesse, vnto the great Prouence or Holland Rose. This Rose bush or

plant is very tender with vs here about London, and will require some

more care and keeping then the single of this kinde, which is hardy

enough; for I haue lost many my selfe, and I know but a few about this

towne that can nourse it vp kindly, to beare or scarce to abide without

perishing; but abideth well in euery free aire of all or the most parts

of this Kingdome: but (as I heare) not so well in the North.

18. _Rosa Moschata simplex & multiplex._

The Muske Rose single and double.

The Muske Rose both single and double, rise vp oftentimes to a very

great height, that it ouergroweth any arbour in a Garden, or being set

by an house side, to bee ten or twelue foote high, or more, but more

especially the single kinde, with many green farre spread branches,

armed with a few sharpe great thornes, as the wilder sorts of Roses

are, whereof these are accounted to be kindes, hauing small darke

greene leaues on them, not much bigger then the leaues of Eglantine:

the flowers come forth at the toppes of the branches, many together

as it were in an vmbell or tuft which for the most part doe flower

all at a time, or not long one after another, euery one standing on a

pretty long stalke, and are of a pale whitish or creame colour, both

the single and the double; the single being small flowers, consisting

of fiue leaues, with many yellow threads in the middle: and the double

bearing more double flowers, as if they were once or twice more double

then the single, with yellow thrummes also in the middle, both of them

of a very sweete and pleasing smell, resembling Muske: some there be

that haue auouched, that the chiefest sent of these Roses consisteth

not in the leaues, but in the threads of the flowers.

19. _Rosa Moschata multiplex altera: alijs Damascena alba, vel

verisimilior Cinamomea flore pleno albo._

The double white Damaske Muske Rose.

This other kinde of Muske Rose (which with some is called the white

Damaske Muske, but more truely the double white Cinamon Rose) hath

his stemme and branches also shorter then the former, but as greene:

the leaues are somewhat larger, and of a whiter greene colour; the

flowers also are somewhat larger then the former double kinde, but

standing in vmbels after the same manner, or somewhat thicker, and of

the same whitish colour, or a little whiter, and somewhat, although but

a little, neare the smell of the other, but nothing so strong. This

flowreth at the time of other Roses, or somewhat later, yet much before

the former two sorts of Muske Roses, which flower not vntill the end

of Summer, and in Autumne; both which things, that is, the time of the

flowring, and the sent being both different, shew plainly it cannot be

of the tribe of the Muske Roses.

20. _Rosa Hispanica Moschata simplex._ The Spanish Muske Rose.

This Spanish Rose riseth to the height of the Eglantine, and sometimes

higher, with diuers great greene branches, the leaues whereof are

larger and greener then of the former kindes: the flowers are single

Roses, consisting of fiue whiter leaues then in any of the former Muske

Roses, and much larger, hauing sometimes an eye of a blush in the

white, of a very sweete smell, comming nearest vnto the last recited

Muske Rose, as also for the time of the flowring.

21. _Rosa Pomifera maior._ The great Apple Rose.

The stemme or stocke of this Rose is great, couered with a darke

grayish barke, but the younger branches are somewhat reddish, armed

here and there with great and sharpe thornes, but nothing so great

or plentifull as in the Eglantine, although it be a wilde kinde: the

leaues are of a whitish greene colour, almost like vnto the first white

Rose, and fiue alwaies set together, but seldome seuen: the flowers

are small and single, consisting of fiue leaues, without any sent, or

very little, and little bigger then those of the Eglantine bush, and of

the very same deepe blush colour, euery one standing vpon a rough or

prickly button, bearded in the manner of other Roses, which when the

flowers are fallen growe great, somewhat long and round, peare-fashion,

bearing the beards on the tops of them; and being full ripe are very

red, keeping the small prickles still on them, wherein are many white,

hard, and roundish seedes, very like vnto the seede of the Heppes or

Eglantine Berries, lying in a soft pulpe, like vnto the Hawthorne

berries or Hawes: the whole beauty of this plant consisteth more in the

gracefull aspect of the red apples or fruit hanging vpon the bushes,

then in the flowers, or any other thing. It seemeth to be the same that

Clusius calleth _Rosa Pumila_, but that with me it groweth much higher

and greater then he saith his doth.

22. _Rosa siluestris odora siue Eglenteria simplex._

The single Eglantine or sweete Briar bush.

The sweete Briar or Eglantine Rose is so well knowne, being not onely

planted in Gardens, for the sweetenesse of the leaues, but growing

wilde in many woods and hedges, that I thinke it lost time to describe

it; for that all know it hath exceeding long greene shootes, armed with

the cruellest sharpe and strong thornes, and thicker set then is in

any Rose either wilde or tame: the leaues are smaller then in most of

those that are noursed vp in Gardens, seuen or nine most vsually set

together on a ribbe or stalke, very greene and sweete in smell, aboue

the leaues of any other kinde of Rose: the flowers are small single

blush Roses, of little or no sent at all, which turne into reddish

berries, stuffed within with a dounie or flock matter or substance,

wherein doth lye white hard seede.

[Illustration:

1 _Rosa siue spinis multiplex._ The double Rose without thorns.

2 _Rosa Cinamomea flore plena._ The double Cinamon Rose.

3 _Rosa Holoserica simplex._ The single Veluet Rose.

4 _Rosa Holoserica duplex._ The double Veluet Rose.

5 _Rosa Moschata multiplex._ The double Muske Rose.

6 _Rosa Moschata Hispanica simplex._ The single Spanish Muske Rose.

7 _Rosa Pomifera maior._ The great Apple Rose.

8 _Rosa siluestris siue Eglanteria duplex._ The double Eglantine

Rose.

]

23. _Rosa siluestris odora siue Eglenteria flore duplici._

The double Eglantine.

The double Eglantine is in all the places that I haue seene it a

grafted Rose, (but I doubt not, but that his originall was naturall,

and that it may be made naturall againe, as diuers other Roses are.)

It groweth and spreadeth very well, and with a great head of branches,

whereon stand such like leaues as are in the single kinde, but a little

larger, not smelling fully so sweete as it: the flowers are somewhat

bigger then the single, but not much, hauing but one other rowe of

leaues onely more then the former, which are smaller, and the outer

leaues larger, but of the same pale reddish purple colour, and smelleth

somewhat better then the single.

24. _Rosa semper virens._ The euer greene Rose bush.

This Rose or bush is very like vnto a wilde single Eglantine bush in

many respects, hauing many very long greene branches, but more slender

and weake, so that many times they bend downe againe, not able to

sustaine themselues without some helpe, and armed with hooked thornes

as other Roses be; the winged leaues consist of seuen for the most

part, whereof those two that are lowest and opposite, are smallest, the

next two bigger then they, the third couple bigger then any of the rest

belowe, and the end leafe biggest of all: this proportion generally it

holdeth in euery winged leafe through the whole plant, which at the

first comming forth are somewhat reddish, with the young branch that

shooteth out with them, but being full growne, are of a deepe greene

colour, and somewhat shining, dented about the edges, and fall not away

from the branches as other Roses doe, but abide thereon for the most

part all the Winter: the flowers stand foure or fiue together at the

tops of the branches, being single Roses, made of fiue leaues a peece,

of a pure white colour, much larger then the ordinary Muske Rose, and

of a fine sent, comming nearest thereunto, with many yellow chiues or

threads in the middle.

The Place.

Some of these Roses had their originall, as is thought in

England, as the first and second; for these dryed red Roses

that come ouer to vs from beyond the Seas, are not of the kinde

of our red Rose, as may well be perceiued by them that will

compare our English dryed leaues with those. Some in Germany,

Spaine, and Italy. Some againe in Turkie, as the double yellow

Rose, which first was procured to be brought into England, by

Master Nicholas Lete, a worthy Merchant of London, and a great

louer of flowers, from Constantinople, which (as wee heare)

was first brought thither from Syria; but perished quickly

both with him, and with all other to whom hee imparted it:

yet afterwards it was sent to Master Iohn de Franqueuille, a

Merchant also of London, and a great louer of all rare plants,

as well as flowers, from which is sprung the greatest store,

that is now flourishing in this Kingdome.

The Time.

The Cinamon Rose is the earliest for the most part, which

flowreth with vs about the middle of May, and sometimes in the

beginning. The ordinary Muske Roses both single and double

flower latest, as is said. All the other flower much about one

time, in the beginning of Iune, or thereabouts, and continue

flowring all that moneth, and the next throughout for the most

part, and the red vntill August be halfe past.

The Names.

The seuerall names, whereby they are most commonly knowne vnto

vs in this Countrey, are expressed in their titles; but they

are much differing from what they are called in other Countries

neare vnto vs, which to compare, conferre, and agree together,

were a worke of more paines then vse: But to proportion them

vnto the names set downe by Theophrastus, Pliny, and the rest

of the ancient Authors, were a worke, wherein I might be

sure not to escape without falling into errour, as I verily

beleeue many others haue done, that haue vndertaken to doe

it: I will therefore for this worke desire that you will rest

contented, with so much as hath already been deliuered, and

expect an exact definition and complete satisfaction by such a

methodicall course as a generall History will require, to be

performed by them that shall publish it.

The Vertues.

The Rose is of exceeding great vse with vs; for the Damaske

Rose (besides the superexcellent sweete water it yeeldeth

being distilled, or the perfume of the leaues being dryed,

seruing to fill sweete bags) serueth to cause solublenesse of

the body, made into a Syrupe, or preserued with Sugar moist

or dry candid. The Damaske Prouince Rose, is not onely for

sent nearest of all other Roses vnto the Damaske, but in the

operation of solubility also. The red Rose hath many Physicall

vses much more then any other, seruing for many sorts of

compositions, both cordiall and cooling, both binding and

loosing. The white Rose is much vsed for the cooling of heate

in the eyes: diuers doe make an excellent yellow colour of the

iuyce of white Roses, wherein some Allome is dissolued, to

paint or colour flowers or pictures, or any other such things.

There is little vse of any other sort of Roses; yet some

affirme, that the Muske Roses are as strong in operation to

open or loosen the belly as the Damaske Rose or Prouince.

CHAP. CXI.

_Cistus._ The Holly Rose or Sage Rose.

There are three principall kindes of _Cistus_, the male, the female,

and the gumme or sweete smelling _Cistus_ bearing _Ladanum_, called

_Ledon_. Of each of these three there are also diuers sorts: Of them

all to intreate in this Worke is not my minde, I will onely select out

of the multitude some few that are fit for this our Garden, and leaue

the rest to a greater.

1. _Cistus mas._ The male Holly Rose or Sage Rose.

The male _Cistus_ that is most familiar vnto our Countrey, I meane

that will best abide, is a small shrubby plant, growing seldome aboue

three or foure foote high with vs, hauing many slender brittle wooddy

branches, couered with a whitish barke, whereon are set many whitish

greene leaues, long and somewhat narrow, crumpled or wrinckled as it

were with veines, and somewhat hard in handling, especially the old

ones; for the young ones are softer, somewhat like vnto Sage leaues

for the forme and colour, but much smaller, two alwaies set together

at a ioynt: the flowers stand at the toppe of the branches, three or

foure together vpon seuerall slender footstalkes, consisting of fiue

small round leaues a peece, somewhat like vnto a small single Rose, of

a fine reddish purple colour, with many yellow threads in the middle,

without any sent at all, and quickly fading or falling away, abiding

seldome one whole day blowne at the most: after the flowers are past,

there come vp round hard hairie heads in their places, containing

small brownish seede: the roote is wooddy, and will abide some yeares

with vs, if there be some care had to keepe it from the extreamity of

our Winters frostes, which both this, and many of the other sorts and

kinds, will not abide doe what we can.

2. _Cistus fæmina._ The female Holly Rose.

The female Holly Rose groweth lower, and smaller then the former male

kinde, hauing blackish branches, lesse woody, but not lesse brittle

then it: the leaues are somewhat rounder and greener, but a little

hard or rough withall, growing in the same manner vpon the branches

by couples: the flowers grow at the toppes of the branches, like vnto

the former, consisting of fiue leaues, but somewhat lesser, and wholly

white, with yellow threds in the middle, as quickly fading, and of as

little sent as the former: the heads and seede are somewhat bigger then

in the former.

3. _Chamæcistus Frisicus._ The dwarfe Holly Rose of Friseland.

This dwarfe Cistus is a small low plant, hauing diuers shootes from

the rootes, full of leaues that are long and narrow, very like vnto

the leaues of the French Spikenard or _Spica Celtica_; from among

which leaues shoote forth short stalkes, not aboue a span high, with

a few smaller leaues thereon; and at the toppes diuers small flowers

one aboue another, consisting of six small round leaues, of a yellow

colour, hauing two circles of reddish spots round about the bottome of

the leaues, a little distant one from another, which adde much grace

to the flower: after the flowers are past, there come in their places

small round heads, being two forked at the end containing within them

small brownish chaffie seede: the roote is small and slender, with many

fibres thereat creeping vnder ground, and shooting forth in diuers

places, whereby it much encreaseth: the whole plant, and euery part of

it, smelleth strong without any pleasant sent.

4. _Cistus annuus._ The Holly Rose of a yeare.

This small Cistus that endureth but a year (and will require to be

sowne euery year, if ye will haue it) riseth vp with straight, but

slender hard stalkes, set here and there confusedly with long and

narrow greenish leaues, very like vnto the leaues of the Gum Cistus

or Ledon, being a little clammy withall: at the toppe of the stalkes,

and at the ioynts with the leaues, stand two or three pale yellow

flowers, consisting of fiue leaues a peece, with a reddish spot neere

the bottome of euery leafe of the flower, as quickely fading as any of

the former: after which follow small three square heades, containing

small seede, like vnto the first female kinde, but somewhat paler or

yellower: the root is small and woody, and perisheth as soone as it

hath borne seede.

5. _Cistus Ledon._ The Gum Cistus, or Sweete Holly Rose.

This sweete Holly Rose or Gum Cistus, riseth higher, and spreadeth

larger then the former male kind doth, with many blackish woody

branches, whereon are set diuers long and narrow darke greene leaues,

but whitish vnderneath, two alwayes standing together at a ioint, both

stalks and leaues bedeawed as it were continually with a clammy sweete

moisture (which in the hot Countries is both more plentifull, and more

sweet then in ours) almost transparent, and which being gathered by the

inhabitants, with certaine instruments for that purpose (which in some

places are leather thongs, drawne ouer the bushes, and after scraped

off from the thongs againe, and put together) is that kind of blacke

sweet gum, which is called _Ladanum_ in the Apothecaries shops; at

the tops of the branches stand single white flowers, like vnto single

Roses, being larger then in any of the former kindes, consisting of

fiue leaues, whereof euery one hath at the bottome a dark purplish

spot, broad below, and small pointed vpwards, with some yellow threds

in the middle: after which are past, there arise cornered heads,

containing such small brownish seede as is in the former male kinde:

the roote is woody, and spreadeth vnder ground, abiding some yeares, if

it be placed vnder a wall, where it may bee defended from the windes

that often breake it, and from the extremitie of our winters, and

especially the snow, if it lye vpon it, which quickly causeth it to

perish.

[Illustration:

1 _Cistus mas._ The male Holly Rose.

2 _Chamæcistus Frisicus._ The dwarfe Holly Rose of Frisia.

3 _Cistus Ledon._ The sweet Holly Rose or gumme Cistus.

4 _Ledum Alpinum._ The mountaine Holly Rose.

5 _Ledum Silesiacum._ The sweet Mary Rose of Silesia.

6 _Rosmarinum aureum._ Gilded Rosemary.

]

6. _Ledum Alpinum seu Rosa Alpina._ The Mountaine sweet Holly Rose.

The fragrant smell with properties correspondent of two other plants,

causeth me to insert them in this Chapter, and to bring them to your

knowledge, as well worthy a fit place in our Garden. The first of them

hath diuers slender woody branches, two foote high or thereabouts,

couered with a grayish coloured barke, and many times leaning downe to

the ground, whereby it taketh roote againe: vpon these branches grow

many thicke, short, hard greene leaues, thicke set together, confusedly

without order, sometimes whitish vnderneath, and sometimes yellowish:

the toppes of the branches are loden with many flowers, which cause

them to bend downwards, being long, hollow and reddish, opening into

fiue corners, spotted on the outside with many white spots, and of a

paler red colour on the inside, of a fine sweet sent: after the flowers

are past, there follow small heads, containing small brownish seede:

the root is long, hard and woody, abiding better if it comprehend in

the ground, then some of the former, because his originall is out of a

colder country.

7. _Ledum Silesiacum._

The sweete Mary Rose, or Rosemary of Silesia.

This other sweete plante riseth vp with woody ash-coloured branches two

foote high or more, which shoote forth other branches, of a reddish or

purplish colour, couered with a brownish yellow hoarinesse, on which

are set many narrow long greene leaues, like vnto Rosemary leaues, but

couered with the like hoarinesse as the stalks are (especially in the

naturall places, but not so much being transplanted) and folding the

sides of the leaues so close together, that they seeme nothing but

ribbes, or stalkes, of an excellent sweet and pleasant sent; at the

ends of the branches there grow certaine brownish scaly heads, made of

many small leaues set thicke together, out of which breake forth many

flowers, standing in a tuft together, yet seuerally euery one vpon his

owne footstalke, consisting of fiue white leaues, with certaine white

threds in the middle, smelling very sweete: after which rise small

greene heads, spotted with brownish spots, wherein is contained very

small, long, yellowish seede: the roote is hard and woodie.

The Place.

The first, second, fourth and fifth, grow in the hot Countries,

as Italie, Spaine, &c. The third, and the two last in the

colder Countries, as Friseland, Germanie, Bohemia.

The Time.

They do all flower in the Summer moneths of Iune, Iuly and

August, and their seede is ripe quickly after.

The Names.

The first, second, fourth and fift, haue their names

sufficiently expressed in their descriptions. The third was

sent vnto Clusius, vnder the name of _Hirculus Frisicus_,

because of the strong sent: but he referreth it to the kinds

of _Chamæcistus_, that is, dwarfe or low _Cistus_, both for

the low growth, and for the flowers and seede sake. The sixt

is diuersly called; for Clusius calleth it _Ledum Alpinum_:

others, _Nerium Alpinum_, making it to bee a Rose Bay. Gesner

according to the Countrey peoples name, _Rosa Alpina_, and

_Rosa Montana_. Lobel calleth it _Balsamum Alpinum_, of the

fragrant smell it hath, and _Chamærhododendros Chamælææfolio_.

And some haue called it _Euonymus_, without all manner of

iudgement. In English wee may call it, The Mountaine Rose,

vntill a fitter name be giuen it. The last is called of

Matthiolus, _Rosmarinum siluestre_, but of Clusius _Ledum_,

referring it to their kindred; and _Silesiacum_, because he

found it in that Countrey; or for distinction sake, as he

saith, it may bee called, _Ledum folijs Rosmarini_, or _Ledum

Bohemicum_. Cordus, as it seemeth in his History of Plants,

calleth it _Chamæpeuce_, as though he did account it a kinde of

low Pine, or Pitch tree.

The Vertues.

The first, second, and fift, are very astringent, effectuall

for all sorts of fluxes of humours. The sweet Gum called

_Ladanum_, made artificially into oyle, is of singular vse for

_Alopecia_, or falling of the haire. The seed of the fourth is

much commended against the stone of the Kidneyes. The sweete

Rosemary of Silesia is vsed of the inhabitants, where it

naturally groweth, against the shrinking of sinewes, crampes,

or other such like diseases, whereof their daily experience

makes it familiar, being vsed in bathing or otherwise.

CHAP. CXII.

_Rosmarinum._ Rosemary.

There hath beene vsually knowne but one sort of Rosemary, which is

frequent through all this Country: but there are some other sorts not

so well known; the one is called Gilded Rosemary; the other broade

leafed Rosemary; a third I will adioyne, as more rare then all the

other, called Double flowred Rosmary, because few haue heard thereof,

much lesse seene it, and my selfe am not well acquainted with it, but

am bold to deliuer it vpon credit.

1. _Libanotis Coronaria siue Rosmarinum vulgare._ Our Common Rosmary.

This common Rosemary is so well knowne through all our Land, being

in euery womans garden, that it were sufficient but to name it as an

ornament among other sweete herbes and flowers in our Garden, seeing

euery one can describe it: but that I may say something of it, It is

well obserued, as well in this our Land (where it hath been planted

in Noblemens, and great mens gardens against bricke wals, and there

continued long) as beyond the Seas, in the naturall places where it

groweth, that it riseth vp in time vnto a very great height, with a

great and woody stemme (of that compasse, that (being clouen out into

thin boards) it hath serued to make lutes, or such like instruments,

and here with vs Carpenters rules, and to diuers other purposes)

branching out into diuers and sundry armes that extend a great way,

and from them againe into many other smaller branches, whereon are set

at seueral distances, at the ioynts, many very narrow long leaues,

greene aboue, and whitish vnderneath; among which come forth towards

the toppes of the stalkes, diuers sweet gaping flowers, of a pale or

bleake blewish colour, many set together, standing in whitish huskes;

the seed is small and red, but thereof seldome doth any plants arise

that will abide without extraordinary care; for although it will spring

of the seede reasonable well, yet it is so small and tender the first

yeare, that a sharpe winter killeth it quickly, vnlesse it be very well

defended: the whole plant as well leaues as flowery smelleth exceeding

sweete.

2. _Rosmarinum striatum, siue aureum._ Gilded Rosemary.

This Rosemary differeth not from the former, in forme or manner of

growing, nor in the forme or colour of the flower, but only in the

leaues, which are edged, or striped, or pointed with a faire gold

yellow colour, which so continueth all the yeare throughout, yet

fresher and fairer in Summer then in Winter; for then it will looke of

a deader colour, yet so, that it may be discerned to be of two colours,

green & yellow.

3. _Rosmarinum latifolium._ Broade leafed Rosemary.

This broad leafed Rosemary groweth in the same manner that the former

doth, but that we haue not seene it in our Countrey since we had it to

grow so great, or with such woody stemmes: the leaues stand together

vpon the long branches after the same fashion, but larger, broader and

greener then the other, and little or nothing whitish vnderneath: the

flowers likewise are of the same forme and colour with the ordinary,

but larger, and herein consisteth the difference.

4. _Rosmarinum flore duplici._ Double flowred Rosmary.

The double flowred Rosmary thus far differeth from the former, that

it hath stronger stalkes, not so easie to breake, fairer, bigger and

larger leaues, of a faire greene colour, and the flowers are double, as

the Larkes heele or spurre: This I haue onely by relation, which I pray

you accept, vntill I may by sight better enforme you.

The Place.

Our ordinary Rosmary groweth in Spaine, and Prouence of France,

and in others of those hot Countryes, neere the Sea side. It

will not abide (vnlesse kept in stoues) in many places of

Germany, Denmarke, and those colder Countries. And in some

extreame hard winters, it hath well neere perished here in

England with vs, at the least in many places: but by slipping

it is vsually, and yearly encreased, to replenish any garden.

The Time.

It flowreth oftentimes twice in the yeare; in the Spring first,

from April vntill the end of May or Iune, and in August and

September after, if the yeare before haue been temperate.

The Names.

Rosmary is called of the ancient Writers, _Libanotis_, but

with this distinction, _Stephanomatica_, that is, _Coronaria_,

because there were other plants called _Libanotis_, that were

for other vses, as this for garlands, where flowers and sweete

herbes were put together. The Latines call it _Rosmarinum_.

Some would make it to be _Cneorum nigrum_ of Theophrastus,

as they would make Lauander to bee his _Cneorum album_, but

Matthiolus hath sufficiently confuted that errour.

The Vertues.

Rosmary is almost of as great vse as Bayes, or any other herbe

both for inward and outward remedies, and as well for ciuill as

physicall purposes. Inwardly for the head and heart; outwardly

for the sinewes and ioynts: for ciuill vses, as all doe know,

at weddings, funerals, &c. to bestow among friends: and the

physicall are so many, that you might bee as well tyred in the

reading, as I in the writing, if I should set down all that

might be said of it. I will therefore onely giue you a taste

of some, desiring you will be content therewith. There is an

excellent oyle drawne from the flowers alone by the heate

of the Sunne, auaileable for many diseases both inward and

outward, and accounted a soueraigne Balsame: it is also good

to helpe dimnesse of sight, and to take away spots, markes

and scarres from the skin; and is made in this manner. Take a

quantitie of the flowers of Rosemary, according to your owne

will eyther more or lesse, put them into a strong glasse close

stopped, set them in hot horse dung to digest for fourteene

dayes, which then being taken forth of the dung, and vnstopped,

tye a fine linnen cloth ouer the mouth, and turne downe the

mouth thereof into the mouth of another strong glasse, which

being set in the hot Sun, an oyle will distill downe into the

lower glasse; which preserue as precious for the vses before

recited, and many more, as experience by practice may enforme

diuers.

There is another oyle Chymically drawne, auaileable in the like

manner for many the same inward and outward diseases, _viz._

for the heart, rheumaticke braines, and to strengthen the

memory, outwardly to warme and comfort cold benummed sinewes,

whereof many of good iudgement haue had much experience.

CHAP. CXIII.

_Myrtus._ The Mirtle tree or bush.

In the hot Countreyes, there haue been many sorts of Mirtles found out,

naturally growing there, which will not fructifie in this of ours, nor

yet abide without extraordinary care, and conueniencie withall, to

preserue them from the sharpenesse of our winters. I shall only bring

you to view three sorts in this my Garden, the one with a greater, the

other two with lesser leaues, as the remainder of others which wee haue

had, and which are preserued from time to time, not without much paine

and trouble.

1. _Myrtus latifolia._ The greater leafed Mirtle.

The broader leafed Mirtle riseth vp to the height of foure or fiue

foote at the most with vs, full of branches and leaues growing like a

small bush, the stemme and elder branches whereof are couered with a

dark coloured bark, but the young with a green, and some with a red,

especially vpon the first shooting forth, whereon are set many fresh

greene leaues, very sweet in smell, and very pleasant to behold, so

neer resembling the leaues of the Pomegranate tree that groweth with

vs, that they soone deceiue many that are not expert therein, being

somewhat broade and long, and pointed at the ends, abiding alwaies

green: at the ioynts of the branches where the leaues stand, come forth

the flowers vpon small footestalkes, euery one by it selfe consisting

of fiue small white leaues, with white threds in the middle, smelling

also very sweet; after the flowers are past, there doe arise in the hot

Countries, where they are naturall, round blacke berries, when they are

ripe, wherein are contained many hard white crooked seedes, but neuer

in this Countrey, as I said before: the roote disperseth it selfe into

many branches, with many fibres annexed thereto.

2. _Myrtus minor, seu minore folio._ The smaller leafed Mirtle.

The smaller leafed Mirtle is a low shrub or bush, like vnto the former,

but scarce rising so high, with branches spreading about the stemme,

much thicker set with leaues then the former, smaller also, and pointed

at the ends, of a little deeper greene colour, abiding greene also

winter and summer, and very sweete likewise: the flowers are white like

vnto the former, and as sweete, but shew not themselues so plentifull

on the branches: the fruit is blacke in his naturall places, with

seedes therein as the former.

3. _Myrtus minor rotundiore folio._ Boxe Mirtle.

Wee haue another sort of this small kinde of Mirtle, so like vnto the

former both for smalnesse, deepe greene colour of the leaues, and

thicke growing of the branches, that it will be thought of most,

without good heede, and comparing the one with the other, to be the

very same with the former: but if it bee well viewed, it will shew, by

the roundnesse at the ends of the leaues very like vnto the small Boxe

leaues, to be another differing kinde, although in nothing else. Wee

nourse them with great care, for the beautifull aspect, sweete sent and

raritie, as delights and ornaments for a garden of pleasure, wherein

nothing should be wanting that art, care and cost might produce and

preserue: as also to set among other euer greene plants to sort with

them.

The Place.

These, and many other sorts of Mirtles grow in Spaine,

Portugall, Italie, and other hot Countries in great aboundance,

where they make their hedges of them: wee (as I said) keepe

them in this Countrey, with very great care and diligence.

The Time.

The Mirtles doe flower very late with vs, not vntill August at

the soonest, which is the cause of their not fructifying.

The Names.

They are called in Latine _Myrtus_, and in English Mirtle

tree, without any other diuersitie of names, for the generall

title. Yet the seuerall kindes haue had seuerall denominations,

in Plinies time, and others, as _Romana_, _Coniugala_,

_Tarentina_, _Egyptia_, _alba_, _nigra_, _&c._ which haue noted

the differences, euen then well obserued.

The Vertues.

The Mirtle is of an astringent qualitie, and wholly vsed for

such purposes.

CHAP. CXIIII.

_Malus Punica siue Granata._ The Pomegranet tree.

There are two kindes of Pomegranet trees, The one tame or manured,

bearing fruit, which is distinguished of some into two sorts, of

others into three, that is, into sower, and sweet, and into sower

sweete. The other wilde, which beareth no fruite, because it beareth

double flowers, like as the Cherry, Apple, and Peach tree with double

blossomes, before described, and is also distinguished into two sorts,

the one bearing larger, the other lesser flowers. Of the manured kinde

wee haue onely one sort (so farre as we know, for it neuer beareth

ripe fruit in this our Countrey) which for the beautifull aspect, both

of the greene verdure of the leaues, and faire proportion and colour

of the flowers, as also for the raritie, are noursed in some few of

their gardens that delight in such rarities: for in regard of the

tendernesse, there is neede of diligent care, that is, to plant it

against a brick wall, and defend it conueniently from the sharpenesse

of our winters, to giue his Master some pleasure in seeing it beare

flowers: And of the double kinde we haue as yet obtained but one sort,

although I shall giue you the knowledge and description of another.

[Illustration:

1 _Myrtus latifolia maior._ The broad leaded Myrtle.

2 _Myrtus angustifolia minor._ The small leafed Myrtle.

3 _Myrtus buxifolia minor._ The Boxe leafed Myrtle.

4 _Malus Granatus simplici flore._ The ordinary Pomegranet tree.

5 _Balaustium Romanum seu minus._ The lesser double flowred

Pomegranet tree.

6 _Balaustium maius siue Cyprium._ The greater double flowred

Pomegranet.

7 _Pseudocapsicum seu Amomum Plinij._ The Winter Cherry tree.

8 _Ficus Indica cum suo fructu._ The Indian Figgetree and his fruit.

]

1. _Malus Punica satiua._ The tame Pomegranet tree.

This Pomegranet tree groweth not very high in his naturall places, and

with vs somtimes it shooteth forth from the roote many brownish twigges

or branches, or if it bee pruned from them, and suffered to grow vp, it

riseth to bee seuen or eight foote high, spreading into many small

and slender branches, here and there set with thornes, and with many

very faire greene shining leaues, like in forme and bignesse vnto the

leaues of the larger Myrtle before described, euery one hauing a small

reddish foote-stalke vpon these branches: among the leaues come forth

here and there, long, hard, and hollow reddish cups, diuided at the

brimmes, wherein doe stand large single flowers, euery one consisting

of one whole leafe, smaller at the bottome then at the brimme, like

bels, diuided as it were at the edges into fiue or six parts, of an

orient red or crimson colour in the hotter Countries; but in this it is

much more delayed, and tendeth neare vnto a blush, with diuers threads

in the middle. The fruit is great and round, hauing as it were a crowne

on the head of it, with a thicke tough hard skinne or rinde, of a

brownish red colour on the outside, and yellow within, stuffed or packt

full of small graines, euery one encompast with a thin skin, wherein

is contained a clear red iuyce or liquor, either of a sweet (as said

before) or sower taste, or betweene them both of a winie taste: the

roote disperseth it selfe very much vnder ground.

2. _Balaustium maius siue Malus Punica siluestris maior._

The greater wilde or double blossomd Pomegranet tree.

The wilde Pomegranet is like vnto the tame in the number of purplish

branches, hauing thornes, and shining faire greene leaues, somewhat

larger then the former: from the branches likewise shoote forth

flowers, farre more beautifull then those of the same or manured sort,

because they are double, and as large as a double Prouince Rose, or

rather more double, of an excellent bright crimson colour, tending to a

silken carnation, standing in brownish cups or huskes, diuided at the

brims vsually into foure or fiue seuerall points, like vnto the former,

but that in this kinde there neuer followeth any fruit, no not in the

Country, where it is naturally wilde.

3. _Balaustium minus._ The smaller wilde Pomegranet tree.

This smaller kinde differeth from the former in his leaues, being

of a darker greene colour, but not in the height of the stemme, or

purplishnesse of his branches, or thorns vpon them; for this doth shew

it selfe more like vnto a wilde kind then it: the flowers hereof are

much smaller, and not so thicke and double, of a deeper or sadder red

Orenge tawny colour, set also in such like cups or huskes.

The Place.

The tame or manured kinde groweth plentifully in Spaine,

Portugall, and Italy, and other in other warme and hot

countries. Wee (as I said before) preserue it with great care.

The wilde I thinke was neuer seene in England, before Iohn

Tradescante my very louing good friend brought it from the

parts beyond the Seas, and planted it in his Lords Garden at

Canterbury.

The Time.

They flower very late with vs, that is, not vntill the middle

or end of August, and the cold euenings or frosts comming so

soone vpon it, doth not onely hinder it from bearing, but many

times the sharpe winters so pinch it, that it withereth it

downe to the ground, so that oftentimes it hardly springeth

againe.

The Names.

The name _Malus Punica_ for the tree, and _Malum Punicum_ for

the fruit, or _Malus Granata_, and _Malum Granatum_, is the

common name giuen vnto this tree, which is called in English

the Pomegarnet or Pomegranet tree. The flowers of the tame

kinde are called _Cytini_, as Dioscorides saith, although

Plinie seemeth either to make _Cytinus_ to be the flower of

the wilde kinde, or _Balaustium_ to be the flower of both

tame and wilde kinde: but properly, as I take it, _Cytinus_

is the cup wherein the flower as well of the tame as wilde

kinde doth stand; for vnto the similitude of them, both the

flowers of _Asarum_, and the seede vessels of _Hyosciamus_ are

compared and resembled, and not vnto the whole flower: the

barke or rinde of the fruit is called of diuers _Sidion_, and

in the Apothecaries shops _Psidium_, and _cortex Granatorum_.

The wilde kinde is called _Malus Punica siluestris_: In

English, The wilde Pomegranet tree; the flower thereof is

properly called _Balaustium_. The lesser kind is vsually called

_Balaustium Romanum_, as the greater is called _Creticum_ and

_Cyprium_, because they growe in Candy and Cyprus.

The Vertues.

The vse of all these Pomegranets is very much in Physicke, to

coole and binde all fluxibility both of body and humours: they

are also of singular effect in all vlcers of the mouth, and

other parts of the body, both of man and woman. There is no

part of them but is applyed for some of these respects. The

rinde also of the Pomegranet is vsed of diuers in stead of

Gaules, to make the best sort of writing Inke, which is durable

to the worlds end.

CHAP. CXV.

_Amomum Plinij seu Pseudocapsicum._

Tree Night shade or the Winter Cherry tree.

I haue adioyned this plant, for the pleasurable beauty of the greene

leaues, and red berries. It groweth vp to be a yard or foure foote

high at the most, hauing a small wooddy stemme or stocke, as bigge as

ones finger or thumbe, couered with a whitish greene barke, set full

of greene branches, and faire greene leaues, somewhat vneuen sometimes

on the edges, narrower then any Night shade leaues, and very neare

resembling the leaues of the _Capsicum_, or Ginny pepper, but smaller

and narrower, falling away in the Winter, and shooting fresh in the

Spring of the yeare: the flowers growe often two or three together,

at the ioynts of the branches with the leaues, being white, opening

starre-fashion, and sometimes turning themselues backe, with a yellow

pointell in the middle, very like vnto the flowers of Night shade:

after the flowers are past, come forth in their stead small greene

buttons, which after turne to be pleasant round red berries, of the

bignesse of small Cherries when they are ripe, which with vs vsually

ripen not vntill the Winter, or about Christmas, wherein are contained

many small whitish seede that are flat: all the whole plant, as well

leaues and flowers as seede, are without either smell or taste: the

roote hath many yellowish strings and fibres annexed vnto it.

The Place.

The originall place hereof is not well knowne, but is thought

to bee the West Indies. It hath been planted of long time in

most of these Countries, where it abideth reasonable well, so

that some care bee had thereof in the extreamity of the Winter.

The Time.

It flowreth sometimes it Iune but vsually in Iuly and August,

and the fruit is not ripe (as is said) vntill the Winter.

The Names.

This plant hath diuers names; for it is thought to be that

kinde of _Amomum_ that Plinie setteth downe. Dodonæus calleth

it _Pseudocapsicum_, for some likenesse in the leafe and

fruit vnto the small _Capsicum_ or Ginnie Pepper, although

much vnlike in the taste and property. Others doe call it

_Strichnodendron_, that is, _Solanum arborescens_, and wee

in English according thereunto, Tree Night shade. But some

Latin asses corrupting the Latine word _Amomum_, doe call it

the Mumme tree. Dalechampius calleth it _Solanum Americum,

seu Indicum_, and saith the Spaniards call it in their

tongue, _Guindas de las Indias_, that is, _Cerasa Indiana_,

Indian Cherries, which if any would follow, I would not bee

much against it: but many Gentlewomen, doe call them Winter

Cherries, because the fruit is not throughly ripe vntill Winter.

The Vertues.

I finde no physicall property allotted vnto it, more then that

by reason of the insipidity, it is held to be cooling.

CHAP. CXVI.

_Ficus Indica minor._ The smaller Indian Figge tree.

This Indian Figge tree, if you will call it a tree (because in our

Country it is not so, although it groweth in the naturall hot Countries

from a wooddy stemme or body into leaues) is a plant consisting only of

leaues, one springing out of another, into many branches of leaues, and

all of them growing out of one leafe, put into the ground halfe way,

which taking roote, all the rest rise out thereof, those belowe for

the most part being larger then those aboue; yet all of them somewhat

long, flat, and round pointed, of the thicknesse of a finger vsually,

and smallest at the lower end, where they are ioyned or spring out of

the other leaues, hauing at their first breaking out a shew of small,

red, or browne prickes, thicke set ouer all the vpper side of the

leaues, but with vs falling away quickly, leauing onely the markes

where they stood: but they haue besides this shew of great prickes, a

few very fine, and small, hard, white, and sharpe, almost insensible

prickes, being not so bigge as haires on the vnderside, which will

often sticke in their fingers that handle them vnaduisedly, neither are

they to be discerned vnlesse one look precisely for them: the leaues

on the vnderside hauing none of those other great pricks or marks at

all, being of a faire fresh pale green colour: out of the vppermost

leaues breake forth certaine greene heads, very like vnto leaues (so

that many are deceiued, thinking them to be leaues, vntill they marke

them better, and be better experienced in them) but that they growe

round and not flat, and are broad at the toppe; for that out of the

tops of euery of them shooteth out a pale yellow flower, consisting of

two rowes of leaues, each containing fiue leaues a peece, laid open

with certaine yellow threads, tipt with red in the middle: this greene

head, vntill the flower be past, is not of halfe that bignesse that

it attaineth vnto after, yet seldome or neuer commeth vnto perfection

with vs, being long and round, like vnto a Figge, small belowe, and

greater aboue, bearing vpon the flat or broad head the marke of the

flower; some holding still on them the dryed leaues, and others hauing

lost them shew the hollownesse which they haue in the toppe or middle

of the head, the sides round about being raised or standing vp higher:

this head or figge in our Country abideth greene on the outside, and

little or nothing reddish within (although it abide all the Winter, and

the Summer following, as sometimes it doth) for want of that heate and

comfort of the Sunne it hath in his naturall place, where it groweth

reddish on the outside, and containing within it a bloudy red clammy

iuyce, making the vrine of them that eate of them as red as bloud,

which many seeing, were in doubt of themselues, lest their vrine were

not very bloud; of what sweetnesse, like a figge, in the naturall

places, I am not well assured, yet affirmed: but those that haue beene

brought vnto me, whose colour on the outside was greenish, were of a

reddish purple within, and contained within them round, small, hard

seede, the taste was flat, waterish, or insipide: the roote is neither

great, nor disperseth it selfe very deepe or farre, but shooteth many

small rootes vnder the vpper crust of the earth.

There is a greater kinde hereof, whose leaues are twice or thrice as

bigge, which hauing been often brought vs, will seldome abide more then

one Summer with vs, our Winters alwaies rotting the leaues, that it

could not be longer kept.

The Place.

This Indian Figge tree groweth dispersedly in many places of

America, generally called the West Indies: The greater kinde in

the more remote and hot Countries, as Mexico, Florida, &c. and

in the Bermudas or Summer Islands, from whence wee haue often

had it. The lesser in Virginia, and those other Countries that

are nearer vnto vs, which better endureth with vs.

The Time.

It flowreth with vs sometimes in May, or Iune; but (as I said)

the fruit neuer commeth to perfection in this Country.

The Names.

Diuers doe take it to bee _Opuntia Plinij_, whereof hee

speaketh in the 21. Booke and 17. Chapter of his Naturall

History: but he there saith, _Opuntia_ is an herbe, sweete

and pleasant to be eaten, and that it is a wonder that the

roote should come from the leafe, and so to growe; which words

although they descipher out the manner of the growing of this

plant, yet because this is a kinde of tree, and not an herbe,

nor to be eaten, it cannot bee the same: but especially because

there is an herbe which groweth in the same manner, or very

neare vnto it, one leafe standing on the toppe or side of

another, being a Sea plant, fit to be eaten with vinegar and

oyle (as many other herbes are that growe in the salt marshes,

or neare the Sea, whereof Sea Purslane is one) which Clusius

calleth _Lychen Marinus_, and (as Clusius saith) Cortusus very

fitly called _Opuntia marina_, and out of doubt is the verie

same _Opuntia_ that Theophrastus maketh mention of, and Plinie

out of him. Our English people in Virginia, and the Bermuda

Island, where it groweth plentifully, because of the form of

the fruit, which is somewhat like to a Peare, & not being so

familiarly acquainted with the growing of Figs, sent it vnto

vs by the name of the prickly Peare, from which name many haue

supposed it to be a Peare indeede, but were therein deceiued.

The Vertues.

There is no other especiall property giuen hereunto, by any

that haue written of the West Indies, then of the colouring of

the vrine, as is before said.

CHAP. CXVII.

_Yuca siue Iucca._ The supposed Indian Iucca.

This rare Indian plant hath a great thicke tuberous roote (spreading

in time into many tuberous heads) from the head whereof shooteth forth

many long, hard, and guttured leaues, very sharpe pointed, compassing

as it were one another at the bottome, of a grayish greene colour,

which doe not fall away, but abide euer greene on the plant; from the

middle whereof springeth forth (now and then, but not euery yeare)

a strong round stalke, diuided into diuers branches, whereon stand

diuers white, and somewhat large flowers, hanging downe their heads,

consisting of six leaues, with diuers veines, of a weake reddish or

blush colour, spread on the backe of the three outer leaues, especially

from the middle of the leaues to the bottome, and not rising to the

edge of the leafe of any flower, which fall away without bearing any

seede in our Country, as farre as euer could be obserued either in

the plant that Master Gerard kept a long time by him, or by Robinus

at Paris his plant, which Master Gerard sent vnto him, or yet by that

plant, that Vespasian Robin the sonne of old Robin sent vnto Master

Iohn de Franqueuille, and now abideth and flourisheth in my Garden.

The Place.

It was first brought into England (as Master Gerard saith)

from the West Indies, by a seruant of Master Thomas Edwards,

an Apothecary of Exeter, and imparted to him, who kept it vnto

his death: but perished with him that got it from his widow,

intending to send it to his Country house.

The Time.

It flowreth not vntill Iuly, and the flowers fall away

sodainely, after they haue beene blowne open a while.

The Names.

Master Gerard first as I thinke called it _Iucca_, supposing it

to bee the true _Yuca_ of _Theuet_, wherewith the Indians make

bread, called _Cassaua_: but the true _Iucca_ is described to

haue a leafe diuided into seuen or nine parts, which this hath

not: Yet not knowing by what better name to call it, let it

hold still his first imposition, vntill a fitter may be giuen

it.

The Vertues.

Wee haue not heard of any, that hath either read, heard, or

experimented the faculties hereof, nor yet whether it hath good

or euill taste; for being rare, and possessed but by a few,

they that haue it are loth to cut any thereof, for feare of

spoiling and losing the whole roote.

Some haue affirmed, that in some parts of Turkie, where as they

say this plant groweth, they make a kinde of cloth from the

threads are found running through the leaues; but I finde the

threads are so strong and hard, that this cannot be that plant

the relators meane is vsed in that manner.

[Illustration:

1 _Yuca siue Iucca._ The Indian Iucca.

2 _Arbor vitæ._ The tree of life.

3 _Arbor Iudæ._ Iudas tree.

4 _Laburnum._ Beane Trefoile.

5 _Cytisus._ Tree Trefoile.

]

CHAP. CXVIII.

_Arbor vitæ._ The tree of life.

The tree of life riseth vp in some places where it hath stood long,

to be a tree of a reasonable great bignesse and height, couered

with a redder barke then any other tree in our Country that I know,

the wood whereof is firme and hard, and spreadeth abroad many armes

and branches, which againe send forth many smaller twigges, bending

downewards; from which twiggy or slender branches, being flat

themselues like the leaues, come forth on both sides many flat winged

leaues, somewhat like vnto Sauine, being short and small, but not

pricking, seeming as if they were brayded or folded like vnto a lace

or point, of a darke yellowish greene colour, abiding greene on the

branches Winter and Summer, of a strong resinous taste, not pleasing

to most, but in some ready to procure casting, yet very cordiall

and pectorall also to them that can endure it: at the toppes of the

branches stand small yellowish dounie flowers, set in small scaly

heads, wherein lye small, long, brownish seede, which ripen well in

many places, and being sowne, doe spring and bring forth plants, which

with some small care will abide the extreamest Winters we haue.

The Place.

The first or originall place where it naturally groweth, as

farre as I can learne or vnderstand, is that part of America

which the French doe inhabite, about the riuer of Canada, which

is at the backe of Virginia Northward, and as it seemeth, first

brought by them from thence into Europe, in the time of Francis

the first French King, where it hath so plentifully encreased,

and so largely beene distributed, that now few Gardens of

respect, either in France, Germany, the Lowe Countries, or

England, are without it.

The Time.

It flowreth in the end of May, and in Iune; the fruit is ripe

in the end of August and September.

The Names.

All the Writers that haue written of it, since it was first

knowne, haue made it to be _Thuyæ genus_, a kinde of Thuya,

which Theophrastus compareth vnto a Cypresse tree, in his fifth

Book and fifth Chapter: but _Omne simile non est idem_, and

although it haue some likenesse, yet I verily beleeue it is

_proprium sui genus_, a proper kinde of it owne, not to bee

paralleld with any other. For wee finde but very few trees,

herbes, or plants in America, like vnto those that growe in

Europe, the hither part of Africa, or in the lesser Asia, as

experience testifieth. Some would make it to be _Cedrus Lycia_,

but so it cannot be. The French that first brought it, called

it _Arbor vitæ_, with what reason or vpon what ground I know

not; but euer since it hath continued vnder the title of the

Tree of life.

The Vertues.

It hath beene found by often experience, that the leaues hereof

chewed in the morning fasting, for some few dayes together,

haue done much good to diuers, that haue beene troubled with

shortnesse of breath, and to helpe to expectorate thinne

purulentous matter stuffing the lungs. Other properties I haue

not heard that it hath; but doubtlesse, the hot resinous smell

and taste it hath, both while it is fresh, and after it hath

beene long kept dry, doth euidently declare his tenuity of

parts, a digesting and cleansing quality it is possessed with,

which if any industrious would make tryall, hee should finde

the effects.

CHAP. CXIX.

_Arbor Iudæ._ Iudas tree.

Iudas tree riseth vp in some places, where it standeth open from a

wall, and alone free from other trees (as in a Garden at Batthersey,

which sometimes agoe belonged to Master Morgan, Apothecary to the late

Queene Elizabeth of famous memory) to be a very great and tall tree,

exceeding any Apple tree in height, and equall in bignesse of body

thereunto (as my selfe can testifie, being an eye witnesse thereof)

when as it had many stalkes of flowers, being in the bud, breaking

out of the body of the tree through the barke in diuers places, when

as there was no bough or branch near them by a yard at the least, or

yet any leafe vpon the tree, (which they gathered to put among other

flowers, for Nosegayes) and in other places it groweth to bee but

an hedge bush, or plant, with many suckers and shootes from belowe,

couered with a darke reddish barke, the young branches being more red

or purplish: the flowers on the branches come forth before any shew

or budding of leaues, three or foure standing together vpon a small

foote-stalke, which are in fashion like vnto Pease blossomes, but of

an excellent deepe purplish crimson colour: after which come in their

places so many long, flat, large, and thinne cods, of a brownish

colour, wherein are contained small, blackish browne, flat, and hard

seede: the roote is great, and runneth both deepe, and farre spreading

in the earth: the leaues come forth by themselues, euery one standing

on a long stalke, being hard & very round, like vnto the leafe of the

largest _Asarum_, but not so thick, of a whitish green on the vpper

side, and grayish vnderneath, which fall away euery yeare, and spring

a fresh after the Spring is well come in, and the buds of flowers are

sprung.

[Sidenote: _Flore albo._]

There is another of this kinde, growing in some places very high,

somewhat like the former, and in other places also full of twiggy

branches, which are greener then the former, as the leaues are

likewise: the flowers of this kinde are wholly white, and the cods

nothing so red or browne, in all other things agreeing together.

The Place.

The former groweth plentifully in many places of Spaine, Italy,

Prouence in France, and in many other places. The other hath

beene sent vs out of Italy many times, and the seede hath

sprung very well with vs, but it is somewhat tender to keepe in

the Winter.

The Time.

The flowers (as I said) appeare before the leaues, and come

forth in Aprill and May, and often sooner also, the leaues

following shortly after; but neither of them beareth perfect

seede in our Country, that euer I could learne, or know by mine

owne or others experience.

The Names.

Some would referre this to _Cercis_, whereof Theophrastus

maketh mention in his first Booke and eighteenth Chapter, among

those trees that beare their fruit in cods, like as Pulse doe:

and hee remembreth it againe in the fourteenth Chapter of his

third Booke, and maketh it not vnlike the white Poplar tree,

both in greatnesse and whitenesse of the branches, with the

leafe of an Iuie, without corners on the one part, cornered

on the other, and sharpe pointed, greene on both sides almost

alike, hauing so slender long footestalkes that the leaues

cannot stand forthright, but bend downwards, with a more rugged

barke then the white Poplar tree. Clusius thinketh this large

description is but an ample description of the third kinde of

Poplar, called _Lybica_, the Aspen tree, which Gaza translateth

_Alpina_: but who so will well consider it, shall finde it

neyther answerable to any Poplar tree, in that it beareth not

cods as _Cercis_ doth; nor vnto this _Arbor Iudæ_, because

it beareth not white branches. Clusius saith also, that the

learned of Mompelier in his time, referred it to _Colytea_

of Theophrastus in his third booke and seuenteenth chapter,

where he doth liken it to the leaues of the broadest leafed

Bay tree, but larger and rounder, green on the vpperside, and

whitish vnderneath, and whereunto (as he saith) Theophrastus

giueth cods in the fourteenth chapter of the same third booke:

and by the contracting of their descriptions both together,

saith, they agree vnto this Iudas tree. But I find some doubts

and differences in these places: for the _Colutæa_ that

Theophrastus mentioneth in the said fourteenth chapter of his

third booke, hath (as he saith there) a leafe like vnto the

Willow, and therefore cannot bee the same _Colutæa_ mentioned

in the seuenteenth chapter of the same third book, which hath

a broade Bay leafe: indeede hee giueth seede in cods: but that

with broade Bay leaues is (as he saith) without eyther flower

or fruite; and besides all this, he saith the rootes are very

yellow, which is not to bee found in this _Arbor Iudæ_, or

Iudas tree: let others now iudge if these things can bee well

reconciled together. Some haue for the likenesse of the cods

vnto Beane cods, called it _Fabago_. And Clusius called it

_Siliqua siluestris_. It is generally in these dayes called

_Arbor Iudæ_, and in English after the Latine name, vntill a

fitter may be had, Iudas tree.

The Vertues.

There is nothing extant in any Author of any Physicall vse it

hath, neyther hath any later experience found out any.

CHAP. CXX.

_Laburnum._ Beane Trefoile.

There be three sorts of these codded trees or plants, one neere

resembling another, whereof _Anagyris_ of Dioscorides is one. The

other two are called _Laburnum_; the larger whereof Matthiolus calleth

_Anagyris altera_, and so doe some others also: the third is of the

same kinde with the second, but smaller. I shall not for this our

Garden trouble you or my selfe with any more of them then one, which

is the lesser of the two _Laburnum_, in that it is more frequent, and

that it will far better abide then the _Anagyris_, which is so tender,

that it will hardly endure the winters of our Countrey: and the greater

_Laburnum_ is not so easily to be had.

_Laburnum._ Beane Trefoile.

This codded tree riseth vp with vs like vnto a tall tree, with a

reasonable great body, if it abide any long time in a place, couered

with a smooth greene barke; the branches are very long, greene, pliant,

and bending any way, whereon are set here and there diuers leaues,

three alwaies standing together vpon a long stalk, being somewhat long,

and not very narrow, pointed at the ends, greene on the vpperside, and

of a siluer shining colour vnderneath, without any smell at all: at

the ioynts of these branches, where the leaues stand, come forth many

flowers, much like vnto broome flowers, but not so large or open,

growing about a very long branch or stalke, sometimes a good span or

more in length, and of a faire yellow colour, but not very deepe; after

which come flat thin cods, not very long or broade, but as tough and

hard as the cods of Broome; wherein are contained blackish seede, like,

but much lesse then the seede of _Anagyris vera_ (which are as big as

a kidney beane, purplish and spotted): the roote thrusteth down deepe

into the ground, spreading also farre, and is of a yellowish colour.

The Place.

This tree groweth naturally in many of the woods of Italie, and

vpon the Alpes also, and is therefore still accounted to be

that _Laburnum_ that Plinie calleth _Arbor Alpina_. It groweth

in many gardens with vs.

The Time.

It flowreth in May, the fruit or cods, and the seedes therein

are ripe in the end of August, or in September.

The Names.

This tree (as I said before) is called of Matthiolus _Anagyris

altera_, _siue secunda_, of Cordus, Gesner and others,

especially of most now adayes, _Laburnum_. It is probable in my

opinion, that this should bee that _Colutæa_ of Theophrastus,

mentioned in the fourteenth Chapter of his third book with the

leafe of a Willow; for if you take any one leafe by it selfe,

it may well resemble a Willow leafe both for forme and colour,

and beareth small seed in cods like vnto pulse as that doth.

Of some it hath beene taken for a kinde of _Cytisus_, but not

truely. We call it in English, Beane Trefoile, in regard of his

cods and seede therein, somewhat like vnto Kidney Beanes, and

of the leaues, three alwayes standing together, vntill a more

proper name may bee giuen it.

The Vertues.

Paradisi in sole paradisus terrestris, or, A garden of all sorts of pleasant flowers which our English ayre will permitt to be noursed vp a kitchen garden of all manner of herbes, rootes & fruites for meate or sauce vsed with vs, and, an orchard of all sorte of fruitbearing trees and shrubbes fit for our land, together with the right orderinge, planting & preseruing of them and their vses & vertues · 第 9 / 16 章

This kinde of _Clematis_ hath diuers more vpright stalkes then any