THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 213 



Moonwort. D. (c.d, \.) 



Tins has also been called Unshoe-the-Horse, from a 

 power which it is supposed to have of loosening the shoes 

 of the horses wliicii tread upon it. 



Descn'pt.'] It riseth up usually but with one dark green, 

 thick and Hat leaf, standing upon a short foot-sfalk not 

 above two lingers breadth ; but when it floweis it may be 

 said to bear a small slender stalk about four or live inches 

 high, having but one leaf in the middle thereof, which is 

 mucii divided on botii sides, into sometimes five or seven 

 parts on a side, sometimes more, each of which parts is 

 small like the middle rib, but broad forwards, pointed 

 and round, resembling therein a half moon, from whence 

 it took the name ; the uppermost parts or divisions being 

 bigger than the lowest. The stalks rise above this leaf 

 two or three inches, bearing many branches of small long 

 tongues, every one like the spiky head of the adder's 

 tongues, of a brownish colour, (whether I shall call 

 them flowers or the seed, I well know not) Avhich after 

 they have continued a while, resolve into a mealy dust. 

 The root is small and fibrous ; this hath sometimes divers 

 such like leaves as are before described, with so many 

 branches or tops rising from one stalk, each divided from 

 the other. 



Place.'] It groweth.on hills and heaths, yet where there 

 is much grass, for therein it delighteth io grow. 



Time.'] It is to be found only in April and May ; for in 

 June, when any hot weather cometh, for the most part it 

 is withered and gone. 



Government and Virtues.'] The moon owns the herb. 

 Moonwort is cold and drying more than adder's tongue, 

 and is therefore held to be more available for all wounds 

 both inward and outward. The leaves boiled in red wine, 

 and drank, stay the immoderate flux of women's courses, 

 and the whites. It also stayeth bleeding, vomiting and 

 other fluxes. It helpeth all blows and bruises, and to 

 consolidate all fractures and dislocations. It is good for 

 ruptures, but it is chiefly used by most, with other b'erbs 

 to make oils or balsams to heal fresh or green wounds, 

 (as I said before) either inward or outward, for which it 

 is excellent good. 



