104 OULPIPBB'8 oomplbtx hkbbal. 



CRESSES (WATER)— ("^wywi^Mm Nasturtium 

 Aqtuitica, 



Desorip, — Our ordinary water cresses spread forth with 

 many weak, hollow, sappy stalks, shooting out fibres at 

 the joints, and upwards long winged leaves made of sun- 

 dry Droad sappy alraost round leaves, of a brownish colour. 

 The flowers are many and white, standing on long foot- 

 stalks, after which come small yellow seed, contained in 

 small lon^ pods like horns. The whole plant abideth 

 green in the winter, and tasteth somewhat hot and sharp. 



Place, — They grow for the most part in small standing 

 waters, yet sometimes in small rivulets of running water. 



TitM, — They flower and seed in the beginning of the 

 ■ummer. 



Oovernment and Virtues. — It is an herb under the do- 

 minion of the Moon. They are more powerful against the 

 scurvy and to cleanse the blood and humours, than brook- 

 lime IS, and serve in all the other uses in which brook- 

 lime is available, as to break the stone, and provoke urine 

 and women's courses. The decoction thereof cleanseth 

 ulcers by washing them therewith. The leaves bruised, 

 or the juice, is good to be applied to the face or other 

 parts troubled with freckles, pimples, spots, or the like, 

 at night, and washed away in the morning. The juice 

 mixed with vinegar, is very good for those that are dull 

 and drowsy, or have the lethargy. 



Water-cress pottage is a gocKl remedy to cleanse the 

 blood in the spring, and helps head-aches, and consumes 

 the gross humours winter hath left behind : those that 

 would live in health may use it if they please, if they 

 will not, I cannot help it. If any fancy not pottage, they 

 may eat the herb as a salad. 



CROSSWORT.-Y Fo^niia Cruciata.) 



Desorip. — Common crosswort groweth up with square 

 hairy brown stalks, a little above a foot high, having 

 four small broad and pointed, hairy, yet smooth thin 

 leaves growing at every loint, each against the other cross- 

 way, wnich has caused the name. Towards the tops of the 

 ■talks at the joints, with the leaves in three or four rows 

 downwards, stand small, pale, yellow flowers, after which 

 come small blackish round seeds, four for the most part 

 set in every husk. 



