Lib. z. 
Of the Hiftorie of Plants, 
727 
Chap. 2^,7. Of zSMatfellon or Knapweed. 
The Defer/ ft ion. 
1 XT Atfellonorblacke Knapweed is doubtlefle a kinde of Scabidus,as all the others are, in- 
Jfy I tituled with the name of Iacea-^ yetfor diftindtion I haue' thought good tolet them 
downe in a feuerall Chapter, beginning with that kinde which is called in Englifh 
Knapw eed and Matfellon,or Mat erf Ion. It hath long and narrow leaues,of a blackifh green colour, 
ip fhape like Diuels bit, but longer, fetvpon flalks two cubits high, fontewhat bluntly cut or fnipt 
about th e edges : the flourcs do grow at the top of the (talks, being firft fma'll fca ly knops, like to 
the knops of Come floure, or blew bottles, but greater ; out of the midft thereof groweth a purple 
thrummieorthreddie floure. The root isthtekeand fhort. 
2 The great Knapweed is very like vnto the former, but that the whole plant is much greater 
the leaues bigger, and more deeply cut,euen to the middle rib : the flourcs come forth of (itch like 
fcal y heads,of an excellent faire purple colour,and much greater. 
3 The third kindeofMatfellon,or Knapweed is very like vnto the former great Knapweed lad 
before mentioned, failing that theflouresofthis plant are of an excellent faire yellow colour, pro- 
ceeding forth of a fcaly head or knop,befet with mod fharppricks,not to be touched without hurt: 
the floure is ofapleafing fme!,and very fvveet ; the root is long and lading, and creepeth far abroad, 
by means whereof it greatly increafcth. 
I Iaceanigra. f 2 iaeeamaiar. 
4 The mountaine Knapwcede of Narhone in France, hath a itrong dent of two cubits high j 
and is very plentiful! about Couentrie among the hedges and bufhes: the leaues are very much 
iagged,in forme oiLonchitv,QX Splecncwoort; the flourcs are like the reft of the Knapweeds, ofa 
purple colour. 
Ppp 2 
* 1 The 
