334. FLORA HISTORICA. 



where are dwelling at this present Englishmen, 

 if neither vntimely death by murdering, or pes- 

 tilence, corrupt aire, bloodie fluxes, or some other 

 mortall sicknes hath not destroied them." In the 

 description of this plant he says, " the flowers 

 come foorth at the top of the stalks, which as 

 yet are not obserued, by reason the man that 

 brought the seeds and plants heereof did not re- 

 gard 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 naked- 

 nes, nor matter wherewith to do the same ; not- 

 withstanding the earth is couered ouer with this 

 silke, which daily they tread vnder their feete, 

 which were sufficient to apparell many king- 

 domes if they were carefully manured and die- 



