AND COMPLETE HERBAL: 173 
another, longer, narrower, and not nicked on the edges ; from the top of fome of 
thefe {talks grow forth a long buth of {mall and more yellowith green fcaly aglets, 
fet in the fame manner on:the ftalks as the leaves are; thefe are fuppofed to be the 
flowers.and feed. The root is rough, thick, and fcaly, having a white pith in the 
middle, which is called the heart thereof. 
Pace. It groweth on moors, bogs, and watery places, . in many parts of this 
kingdom. 
| Time) It is green all the fummer, but the root only liveth during the winter. 
~ GoverNMENT and Virtues. Saturn owns this plant. It hath all the virtues of. 
the former ferns, though much more effectual in its operations than either, both for 
inward and outward griefs, and isa fingular remedy for wounds, bruifes, &c. The 
decoction drank,.or boiled down to an oil or,ointment, and applied, is alfo good for. 
bruifes, sand bones broken or disjointed ; as alfo for ruptures and burftings, and 
giveth much eafe to the cholick and {plenetick difeafes. The decoétion of the root. 
taken in white wine, pagan uEIDS exceedingly, and cleanfeth its paffages +. 
FEA THE R.FE W. 
Description. COMMON Featherfew hath many large, frefh, green ol | 
very much torn or cut on the edges; the {talks are hard and round, fet with many. 
fuch-like leaves; but fomewhat fmaller; at the tops ftand many fingle flowers, each 
upon a {mall footftalk; they confift of many fmall white leaves, ftanding.round a - 
yellow thrumb.. The root is fomewhat hard and fhort, with many ftrong pares. 
The {mell of the whole plant is ftrong, and of a bitter tafte. 
- Prace. There are fome places in this kingdom where it grows wild, but it is ge- 
Sen a garden plant. 
. Trmeg.. It flowereth inthe months of June and July... ye 
- Government and Virtuss., This herb is governed by Venus. Being boiled in. 
white wine and the decoétion diank: it cleanfeth the womb, expelleth the afterbirth, 
and is of general utility to the fair fex. It is ufed with fuccefs for the difeafes of. the 
‘mother, either in the rifing or ftrangling of the fame, or when attended with hard- 
nefs or womens tied applied seg side: thereunto. A decoction of the 
ae OF the athes of each of thefe ferns are sade wich eater, balls, efpecially i in Warwickthire 
and Staffordfhire ; and being dried in the fun, they wath their clothes with them inftead of foap 5 
but before they ufe them they put them into a light fire till they are red hot, and then they will 
ealily powder. "This fern i is ufed in Suffex to burn lime, the flame being very fit for that pur- ae 
pole. Thej juice of the root is. good for burns. The afhes caft upon tones inftead of n 
wet gials of a green colour. | =e 
