AND COMPLETE HERBAL: 
andof a yellowifh red colour when they are ripe, of the fize of a hazel nut kernel, 
which abideth thereon almoft until winter; the root is round, and fomewhat long, 
for the moft part lying along, the leaves fhooting forth at the bigger end, which 
when it beareth its berries, are fomewhat wrinkled and loofe, another growing under 
it, which is folid and firm, with many fmall threads hanging thereat. The whole 
plant is of a very fharp biting tafte, pricking the tongue as nettle do the hands, and 
fo abideth for a great while without alteration. The root hereof was anciently ufed 
inftead of ftarch to ftarch linen withal. t 
There is another fort of cuckow-point, with fmaller leaves than the former, and 
fometimes harder, having blackifh {pots upon them, which for the moft part abide > 
longer green in fummer than the former, and both leaves and roots are more fharp and. 
139 
_ . fierce thanit; in all things elfe it is like the former. | 
Prace. Thefe two forts grow frequently almoft under every -hedge-fide in many 
places of this land. — . . 
_, Time. They fhoot forth leaves in the {pring, and continue only until the middle of 
-fummer, or fomewhat later; their hufks appearing before they fall away, and theif 
fruit fhewing in April. 
GoveRNMENT anp Virtues. It is under thedominion of Mars. Tracus te 
porteth, that a drachm weight, or more, if need be, of the {potted wake-robin, either 
frefh and green or dried, being eaten and taken, is a moft prefent and fure remedy 
for poifon and the plague. The juice of the herb taken to the quantity of a {poonful 
hath the fame effect butif there be alittle vinegar added thereunto, as well as unto 
the root aforefaid, it fomewhat allayeth the fharp biting tafte thereof upon the tongue, 
The green leaves bruifed, and laid upon any boil or plague-fore, doth very won- 
derfully help to draw forth the poifon. A drachm of the powder of the dried root 
taken with twice as much fugar in the form of a licking electuary, or the green root, 
doth wonderfully help thofe that are purfy or fhort winded, as alfo thofe that have a 
Cough ; it breaketh, digefteth, and riddeth away phlegm from the ftomach, cheft, 
and lungs, The milk wherein the root hath been boiled, is effe@ual alfo for the 
fame purpofe, The faid powder taken in wine or other drink, or the juice of the ber- 
Ties, or the powder of them, or the wine wherein they have been boiled, provoketh 
urine, and bringeth down womens’ courfes, and purgeth them effectually after child- 
bearing, to bring away the afterbirth: taken with fheep’s milk, it healeth the in- 
ward ulcers of the bowels, The diftilled water hereof is effectual to all the purpofes 
aforefaid. A fpoonful taken at atime healeth the itch; and an ounce or more taken 
at a time for fome days together, doth help the rupture, the leaves, either green of : we a 
dry, or the juice of them, doth cleanfe all manner of rotten and filthy ulcers, in what 
Part of the body foever, and healeth the ftinking fores in the nofe, called pe , 
No. IQ, 2 P . pa 
