338 THE ENGLISH THYSICIAN ENLARGED. 



Cuifj', if I had only written to scholars) the Seriphian, 

 which is the weakest of Wormwood, is better thau the 

 best. I have been critical enough, if not too much. 



Placcl It grows familiarly in England, by the sea-side. 



Vescript.'] It starts up out of the earth, with many 

 round, woody, hairy stalks from one root. Its height is 

 four feet, or three at least. The leaves in longitude are 

 long, in latitude narrow, in colour \^ilite, in form hoary, 

 in similitude like Southernwood, only broader and longer ; 

 ill taste rather salt than bitter, because it grows so near 

 the salt water. At the joints, m ith the leaves toward the 

 tops, it bears little yellow flowers ; the root lies deep and 

 is woody. 



Common IVormttood T shall not describe, for CTcry boy 

 that can eat an egg knows it. 



Raman JVonirxooiI ; and why Roman, seeing it grows 

 familiarly in England ? It may be so called, because it is 

 good for a stinking breath, which the Romans cannot be 

 very free from, maintaining so many bawdy-houses by 

 authority of his Holiness. 



Deaeript.'] The stalks are slender, and shorter than the 

 common Wormwood by one foot at least; the leaves 

 are more finely cut aiid divided than they are, but some- 

 thing smaller; both leaves and stalks are hoary, the 

 flowers of a pale yellow colour ; it is altogether like the 

 common Wormirood, save only in bigness, for it is 

 SDialler ; in taste, for it is not bitter; in smell, for it is 

 spicy. 



Vlacer\ It groweth upon the tops of the mountains (it 

 seems 'tis aspiring) there 'tis natural, but usually nursed 

 up in gardens lor the use of the apcithecaries in London. 



Time.'] All Wormwoods usually liower in August, a 

 little sooner or later. 



Government and I'u tues.~\ Will you give me leave to 

 be critical a little? I must take leave : Wormwood is aa 

 herb of Mars, and if Pontaniis ?ay otherwise, he is beside 

 the bridge ; I prove it thus : What delights in martial 

 places is a martial herb j but W'orrawood delights in 

 martial placjs, (for about forges and iron works you may 

 giither a cirt-Ioad of it) crgo^ it is a martial herb. It is 

 hoi and dry in the first degree, just as hot as your bloodj 



