196 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



maketh the scnces more quicke and lively, 

 shaketh off heauie and drowsie sleepe, and 

 maketh a man merrie. Also saffron strength- 

 ened! the heart, concocteth crude or raw 

 humors of the chest, openeth the lungs, and 

 remooueth obstructions or stoppings." The 

 same author says, " the chives steeped in 

 water serueth to illumine, or, as we say, limine 

 pictures and imagerie, as also to colour sun- 

 dry meates and confections." 



Lord Bacon says, in his History of Life 

 and Death, that " the English are rendered 

 sprightly by a liberal use of saffron in sweet- 

 meats and broths." We read in Ovington's 

 Voyages, that the Indians, on their holidays, 

 express their joy by scattering or throwing 

 about saffron. 



Lobal, in the Account of his Travels into 

 Spain and Italy, informs us, that the inhabi- 

 tants of these countries are persuaded, that 

 without the use of saffron they should be 

 perpetually molested with disorders of the 

 breast, lipothymies, and want of sleep. 

 Laurembergius tells us, that the women in 

 Ireland formerly dyed their body-linen with 

 saffron, to procure to themselves strength of 

 body, and cheerfulness of mind, and that 

 the young men chewed it in their mouths ; 

 by which means they acquired a fragrant 



