197 



The Virtues. 



* * * The young clammy buds, or eyes, before they break out 

 into leaves bruifed, and a little Honey put to them, is a good medicine 

 for a dull fight by Signature. 



CHAP. XXXIII 



Of the Flower de Luce. 



The Names 



THe Greeks [have named] it Conjecratrix, all great and huge 

 things being counted by the Ancients to be Holy; but it was 

 called Iris, * * * from the Rainbow whofe various colours 

 the flowers thereof doth imitate. * * * I have heard it called Roft 

 Beef, for that the leaves being bruifed fmell fome-what like it. The 

 Flowerdeluce is called in Englifh Iris but moft commonly Orris. 



The kinds 



So many of the forts as I find fet down in Parkinfons Theater 

 of Plants, I here fet down; which are eight, i. The greater Broad 

 leafed Flowerdeluce. 2. The Greater Narrow leafed Flowerdeluce. 

 * * * ; to which I adde, i. Iris tuberofa the knobbed Flowerdeluce; 

 2 the corhmon Flowerdeluce; 3. Water flags or wnld Flowerdeluce. 



The Form. 



The Common Flowerdeluce hath long and large flaggy leaves, 

 like the blade of a fword with two edges, amongft which fpring up 

 fmooth and plain ftalks, half a yard long or longer, bearing flowers 

 towards the top, compa£l of fix leaves joyned together: whereof 

 three that ftand upright are bent inward one toward another, and in 

 thofe leaves that hang downward there are certain rough and hairy 

 Welts, growing or rifing from the nether part of the leaf upward, 

 almoft of a yellow colour. The Roots be long, thick and knobby, 

 with many hairy threds hanged thereat; but being dry is without 

 them, and white. 



The Signature and Vertues. 



* * * Take of the roots in powder half an ounce Cinnamon and 

 Dill of each two drachms, Saffron a fcruple, mix them well to- 

 gether, lay them on a Scarlet Cloth moiftened in White wine, and 

 apply it warm * * * . The green roots bruifed and applyed to 

 black and blew marks in the skin taketh them away * * * ; but it 

 is better to apply it with red Rofe water, and a little Lin-Seed Oyl, 



