THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 187 



round, and long tuberous black root, spongy or loose, 

 with many knobs thereon, like eyes, and whitish with- 

 in : from amidst which rise other the like thick green 

 stalks, sustaining one large great flower thereon, green 

 on the outside, but as white as snow within, consisting of 

 divers rows of long, and somewhat thick and narrow 

 leaves, smaller and thinner the more inward they be, en- 

 compassing a head with many yellow threads or thrums in 

 the middle ; where, after they arc past, stand round Pop- 

 py-like heads, full of broad oily and bitter seed. 



The Yellow kind is little different from the former, 

 save only that it hath fewer leaves on the flowers, greater 

 and more shining seed, and a whitish root both within 

 and without. The root of both is somewhat sweet in 

 taste. 



Place. '\ They are found growing in great pools and 

 standing Avaters, and sometimes in slow running rivers, 

 and lesser ditches of water, in sundry places of this 

 Jand. 



Time.l They flower most commonly about the end of 

 May, and their seed is ripe in August. 



Government and Virtues.'] The herb is under the domi- 

 nion of the Moon, and therefore cools and moistens like 

 the former. The leaves and flowers of the Lilies are 

 cold and moist, but the roots and seeds are cold and dry ; 

 the leaves do cool all inflammations, both outward and 

 inward heat of agues; and so doth the flowers also, either 

 by the syrup or conserve : the syrup helpeth much to 

 procure rest, and to settle the brain of frantick persons, 

 by cooling the hot distemperature of the head. Th« 

 seed, as well as the root, is efie<5lual to stay fluxes of 

 blood or humours, either of wounds or of the belly : but 

 the roots are most used, and more eflfedlual to cool, bind, 

 and restrain all fluxes in men and women ; also running 

 of the reins, and passing of the seed when one is asleep ; 

 but the frequent use hereof extinguisheth venerous ac- 

 tions. The root is likewise very good for those whose 

 urine is hot and sharp, to be boiled in wine and water, 

 and the decottion drank. The distilled water of the 

 flowers is very effedual for all the diseases aforesaid, 

 both inwardly taken and outwardly applied ; and is 

 much commended to take away freckles, spo.ts, sunburn^ 



