iv] The Herbal in England 115 



knowledge, both what Herbes and Fruits were fit, eyther 

 for Meate or Medicine, for Use or for Delight." 



Elaborate directions for the planting and treatment of 

 a garden precede an account of a large number of plants 

 cultivated at that time, with some mention of their uses. 

 The book is illustrated with full-page wood engravings 

 of no great merit, in each of which a number of different 

 plants are represented (Text-fig. 55 is taken from part of 

 one illustration). The figures are partly original and partly 

 copied from the books of de l'Ecluse, de l'Obel and 

 others. 



In 1640, Parkinson followed up this work with a much 

 larger volume, dealing with plants in general, and called 

 the ' Theatrum botanicum : The Theater of Plants. Or, an 

 Herball of a Large Extent.' He complains that the pub- 

 lication of the work has been delayed, partly through the 

 "disastrous times," but chiefly through the machinations 

 of " wretched and perverse men." According to the 

 preface to the ' Paradisus Terrestris,' the author's original 

 idea was merely to supplement his description of the 

 Flower Garden by an account of "A Garden of Simples." 

 This scheme grew into one of a more extensive and general 

 nature, but without losing the predominant medical interest, 

 which would have characterised the work as originally 

 planned. In accordance with this intention, the virtues of 

 the herbs are dealt with in great detail. 



Parkinson's herbal is in some ways an improvement on 

 that of Johnson and Gerard. Almost the whole of Bauhin's 

 1 Pinax ' is incorporated, with the result that the account 

 of the nomenclature of each plant becomes very full and 

 detailed. Many of de l'Obel's manuscript notes are also 

 inserted. The scheme of classification adopted is, however, 

 markedly inferior to that of de l'Obel. 



Occasionally, in spite of his comparatively late date, 

 Parkinson displays an imagination that is truly mediaeval. 

 He is eloquent on the subject of that rare and precious 

 commodity, the horn of the Unicorn, which is a cure for 

 many bodily ills. He describes the animal as living "farre 

 remote from these parts, and in huge vast Wildernesses 

 among other most fierce and wilde beasts." He discusses, 

 also, the use of the powder of mummies as a medicine, and 



8—2 



