THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED, 211 



Time.] It flowereth in the Spring-time, but the berries 

 are not ripe until 06tober, abiding on the branches all the 

 Winter, unless the black-birds, amcl other birds, do de- 

 vour them. 



Government and Virtues.'] This is under the dominion of 

 the Sun, I do not question; and can also take for granted, 

 that that which grows upon oaks, participates something 

 of the nature of Jupiter, because an oak is one of his 

 trees ; as also that which grows upon pear-trees, and apple- 

 trees, participates something of his nature, because he 

 rules the tree it grows upon, having no root of his own. 

 But why that should have most virtues that grows upon 

 oaks 1 know not, unless because it is rarest and hardest 

 to come by ; and our college's opinion is in this contrary 

 to scripture, which sailh, God's tender mercies are over 

 all his works ; and so it is, let the college of physicians 

 walk as contrary to him as they please, and that is as 

 contrary as the east to the west. Clusius affirms, that 

 •which grows upon pear trees to be as prevalent, and gives 

 order, that it should not touch the ground after it is 

 gathered ; and also saith, that, being hung about the neck, 

 it remedies witchcraft. Both the leaves and berries of 

 Misselto do heat and dry, and are of subtil parts ; the 

 birdlime doth mollify hard knots, tumours, and impos- 

 thumes; ripeneth and discusseth them, and draweth forth 

 thick as well as thin humours from remote parts of the 

 body, digesting and separating them. And being mixed 

 ■with equal parts of rosin and wax, doth mollify the 

 hardness of the spleen, and helpeth old ulcers and sores. 

 Being mixed with sandarick and orpiment, it helpeth to 

 draw olFfoul nails; and if quick-lime and wine lees be 

 added thereunto, it worketh the stronger. The Misselto 

 itself of the oak (as the best) made into powder, and given 

 in drink to those that have the falling-sickness, doth as- 

 suredly heal them, as Matthiolus saith ; but it is fit to 

 use it for forty days together. Some have so highly 

 esteemed it for the virtues thereof, that they have called 

 it Lignum SanSlce Crucis. Wood of the Holy Cross, be- 

 lieving it helps the falling-sickness, apoplexy and palsj 

 very speedily, not only to be inwardly taken, but to be 

 hung at their neck. Tragus saith, that the fresh wood 



