308 FLORA HISTORICA. 



at the top of the stalks, whicli as yet are not ob- 

 serued, by reason the man that brought the seeds 

 and plants heereof did not regard them : after 

 which, there came in place two pods, sharpe pointed, 

 like those of our Swallow-woort, but greater, stuffed 

 full of most pure silk, of a shining white colour; 

 among which silke appeereth a small long toong, 

 (which is the seede) resembling the toong of a 

 birde, or that of the herbe called Adder's-toong. 

 The pods are not onely full of silke, but euery 

 nerue or sinewe wherewith the leaues be ribbed, 

 are likewise most pure silke ; and also the pilling of 

 the stems^ euen as flaxe is torne from the stalks. 

 This considered, behold the iustice of God, that 

 as he hath shut vp those people and nations in 

 infidelitie and nakednes, so hath he not as yet giuen 

 them vnderstanding to couer their nakednes, nor 

 matter wherewith to do the same ; notwithstanding 

 the earth is couered ouer with this silke, which 

 daily they tread vnder their feete, which were suffi- 

 cient to apparell many kingdomes if they were 

 carefully manured and cherished." The flowers 

 of this species of Swallow-wort are of a pale dusky 

 flesh-colour, and of an agreeable scent. 



The seeds of the Virginian Swallow- wort, Ascle- 

 pias Syrlaca, were sent from Virginia to Parkin- 

 son, previous to the year 1629. This author calls 

 the plant Virginian silk, on account of the silkiness 



