5r42 TIIE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 



Peony. O m ^. (//. d. 2.) 



This plant is distinguished by the names of Male and 

 Female. 



Dcscript-I Male Peony riseth up wi(h brownish stalks, 

 •whereon grow green and reddish leaves, upon a stalk 

 TTithout any particular division in the leaf at all. The 

 flowers stand at tiic top of the stalks, consisting of five or 

 six broad leaves, of a fair purplish red colourj with many 

 yellow threads in the middle standing about the head, 

 ^vhich after riseth up to be the seed vessels, divided into 

 two, three, or four crooked pods like horns, M'hich being 

 full ripe, open and turn themselves down backward, 

 shewing within them divers round, black, shining seeds, 

 having also many crimson grains, infcruiixed with black, 

 whereby it maketh a very pretty shew. The roots are 

 great, thick, and long, spreading and running down deep 

 in (he ground. 



The ordinary Female Peony bath as many stalks, and 

 more leaves on them than the male; the leaves not so 

 Jargc. but nicked on the edges, some with great and deep, 

 others with smaller cuts and divisions, of a dead green 

 colour. The llowers are of a strong heady scent, usually 

 smaller, and of a more purple colour than the Male, with 

 yellow thrumbs about the head, as the Male hath. The 

 seed vessels are like horns, as in the Male, but smaller, 

 the seed is black, but less shining. The roots consist of 

 many short tuberous clogs, fastened at the end of long 

 strings, and all from the heads of the roots, which are thick 

 and short, and of the like scent with the male. 



Flace and Time.'] They grow in gardens, and flower 

 usually about May. 



Government and Virtues.'] It is an herb of the Sun, and 

 under the Lion. Physicians say, Male Peony roots are 

 best; but Dr. Reason told mc Male Peony was best for 

 men, and Female Peony for women, and he desires to be 

 judged by his brother Dr. Experience, The roots arc 

 held to be of more virtue than the seed; next the flowers, 

 and last of all, the leaves. The root of the Male Peony, 

 fresh gathered, having been found by experience to cure 

 the falling sickness; but the surest way is, besides hanging 

 it about the neck, by which children have been cured, to 



