RARE NATIVE PLANTS FERNALD 391 



Tlie words of the sixteenth century herbalist addressed to his 

 patron, "the right Honorable his singular good Lord and Master, 

 Sir AVilliam Cecil Knight," conveyed in the stilted and elegant style 

 of the period the healthy attitude: 



Among the manifold creatures of God (right Honorable, and my singular 

 good Lord) that have all in all ages diversly entertained many excellent wits, 

 and drawne them to the contemplation of the divine wisdome, none have pro- 

 voked mens studies more, or satisfied their desires so much as Plants have 

 done, and that upon just and worthy causes : For if delight may provoke mens 

 labor, what greater delight is there than to behold the earth apparrelled with 

 plants, as with a robe of embroidered worke, set with Orient pearles, and gar- 

 nishee! with great diuersitie of rare and costly iewels? If this varietie and 

 perfection of colours may affect the eye, it is such in herbs and flowres, that 

 no Apelles, no Zeuxis euer could by any art expresse the like: if odours or if 

 taste may worke satisfaction, they are both so soueraigne in plants, and so 

 comfortabel, that no confection of the Apothecaries can equall their excellent 

 vertue. But these delights are in the outward sences: the principall delight 

 is in the minde, singularly enriched with the knowledge of these visible things, 

 setting forth to vs the inuisible wisedome and admirable workmanship of 

 almighty God. 



