AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 



59 



fibres, or threads, taking good hold of the 

 ground, and spreading with the branches 

 over a great deal of ground, which perish 

 not in winter, although the leaves die every 

 year and spring again anew. 



Place,~\ It grows in many moist grounds, 

 well in meadows as unfilled places, about 

 London, in Hampstead church-yard, at 

 Wye in Kent, and sundry other places. 



Time.'] It flowers from May all the Sum- 

 mer long, in one place or other, as they are 

 more open to the sun ; the seed ripens soon 

 after. 



Government and virtues^] It is under the 

 dominion of Saturn. This is a singularly 

 good wound herb, and is used inwardly, not 

 only to stay bleeding of wounds, but to con- 

 solidate them, as it doth outwardly any green 

 wound, which it quickly solders up, and 

 heals. The decoction of the herb in wine, 

 helps to expectorate the phlem out oi the 

 chest, and is good for obstructions in the 

 breast, stomach, or bowels, and helps a 

 decayed appetite. It is also good to wash 

 any wound or sore with, to cleanse and heal 

 it. The herb bruised, and then boiled 

 applied outwardly for certain days together, 

 renewing it often : and in the mean time 

 the decoction of the herb in wine, taken 

 inwardly every day, doth certainly cure the 

 rupture in any, so as it be not too invete- 

 rate ; but very speedily, if it be fresh and 

 lately taken. 



CROWFOOT. 



MANY are the names this furious biting 

 herb has obtained, almost enough to make 

 up a Welchman's pedigree, if he fetch no 

 farther than John of Gaunt, or William the 

 Conquerer ; for it is called Frog's-foot, from 

 the Greek name Barrakion : Crowfoot, 

 Gold Knobs, Gold Cups, King's Knob, 

 Baffiners, Troilflowers, Polts, Locket Gou- 

 ions, and Butterflowers. 



Abundance are the sorts of this herb, 

 that to describe them all. would tire the 



patience of Socrates himself, but because 

 I have not yet attained to the spirit of 

 Socrates, I shall but describe the most 

 usual. 



DescriptJ] The most common Crowfoot 

 has many thin great leaves, cut into divers 

 parts, in taste biting and sharp, biting and 

 blistering the tongue : It bears many 

 flowers, and those of a bright, resplendent, 

 yellow colour. I do not remember, that I 

 ever saw any thing yellower. Virgins, in 

 ancient time, used to make powder of them 

 to furrow bride beds ; after which flowers 

 come small heads, some spiked and rugged 

 like a Pine- Apple. 



Place.'] They grow very common every 

 where ; unless you turn, your head into a 

 hedge you cannot but see them as you 

 walk. 



Time.'] They flower in May and June, 

 even till September. 



Government and virtues.^ This fiery and 

 hot-spirited herb of Mars is no way fit to 

 be given inwardly, but an ointment of the 

 leaves or flowers will draw a blister, and 

 may be so fitly applied to the nape of the 

 neck to draw back rheum from the eyes. 

 The herb being bruised and mixed with a 

 little mustard, draws a blister as well, and 

 as perfectly as Cantharides, and with far 

 less danger to the vessels of urine, which 

 Cantharides naturally delight to wrong ; 

 I knew the herb once applied to a pesti- 

 lential rising that was fallen down, and it 

 saved life even beyond hope ; it were good 

 to keep an ointment and plaister of it, if it 

 were but for that. 



CUCKOW-POINT. 



IT is called Aron, Janus. Barba-aron, 

 Calve' s-foot, Ramp, Starchwort, Cuckow- 

 point, and Wake Robin. 



DescriptJ] This shoots forth three, four 

 or five leaves at the most, from one root, 

 every one whereof is somewhat large and 

 long, broad at the bottom next the stalk, 



