5 )z6 
Of the Hiftorie of Plants. 
I B.l. 
ThcDefeription. 
T His Plant (which is called of fome Siftrum Peruviunum,or Skyrrets of Peru) is generally of 
vs called Potattis, or Potatoes. It hath long rough flexible branches trailing vpon the 
ground like vnto Pompions ; whereupon are fet greene three cornered leaues,very like vnto .thofe 
of thevvilde Cucumber. There is not any that haue written of this planthaue faid any thing of the 
floures : therefore I refer their defcription vnto thofe that (hall hereafter haue further knowledge 
of the fame. Yet haue I had in my garden diners' roots that haue flourifhed vnto the firft approch 
of Winter and haue grovvne vnto a great length of branches, but they brought not forth any 
floures at all ■ whether becaufe the Winter caufed them to peri fh before their time of flouring, or 
that they be of nature barren of floures, I am not certaine. The roots are many, thicke, and knob- 
bie like vnto the roots of Peionies, or rather of the white Afphodill,ioyned together at the top in- 
to one head, in manerof the Skyrrit , which being diuided into diners parts and plan ted, do make 
a great increafe,efptcially if the greateft roots be cut into diucrs gob lets, and planted in good and 
fertile ground . 
% The Vl.tce. 
The Potatoes grow in India,Barbarie,Spaine,and other hot regions ; ofvvhich I planted diuers 
roots (that I bought at the Exchange in London) in my garden, where they flourifhed vntil Win- 
ter, atwhich time they perilhed and rotted. 
ThcTimc. 
It flourifheth vnto the end of September : at the firft approch of great frofts the Ieaues toge : 
therwith the roots and ftalkes do perilh. 
^ TheNstmcs. 
Cltifuu calleth it Buttat Gemotes, y^dmotes, and 1 grumes : in Englifh, Potatoes, Potatus, and Pa- 
rades. 
The Temperature. 
The Ieaues of Potatoes are hot and dry, as may euidently appeare by the tafte. The roots are 
of a temperate qualitic. 
The Venues. 
^ The Potato roots are among the Spaniards, Italians, Indians,and many other nations common 
andordinariemeatejwhichnodoubtareofmightyand nourifhing parts, and do ftrengthen and 
comfort nature ; whofe nutriment is as it were a meane betweene flefh and fruit, but fomwhat win- 
die ; but being tolled in the embers they lofe much oftheir windinefle,efpecially being eaten Top- 
ped invvine. 
jj Of thefe roots may be made conferues no lefTe tooth fome, wholefome, and dainty than of the 
flefh of Quinces : and likewife thofe comfortable and delicate meats called in fhops Morfe/fi, PU- 
centuU, and diuers other fuch like. 
q Thefe Roots may ferue as a ground or foundation whereon the cunning Confeftioner or Su- 
gar-Baker may worke and frame many comfortable delicate Conferues, and refloratiue fiveete 
meates. 
D They are vfed to be eaten rolled in theafhes. Some when they be fo rolled infufe them and fop 
them in Wine ; and others to giue them the greater grace in eating, doe boyle them with prunes, 
and foeatethem. And likewifeothersdrefle them (being firft rolled ) with Oyle, Vineger, and 
falt,euerie man according to his owne tafte and liking. Notwithftanding howfoeuer they bee 
drelfed, they comfort, nourifh, and ftrengthen the bocly, procuring bodily lull, and that with 
greedineffe. 
Chap. 350. Of Totatoes of Virginia. 
The D.efcription. 
V irginia Potato hath many hollow flexible branches trailing vpon the ground, three fquare, 
vneuen, knotted or kneed in fundry places at certaine diftances : from the which knots com- 
meth forth one great leafe made ofdiuers Ieaues, fome fmaller, and others . greater, fet to- 
gethervpona fat Tniddie rib by couples, of afvvart greene colour tending to rednefle; the whole 
leafe refcmbling thofe ofthe Winter-Crefles, but much larger ; in tafte at the firft like gra(Te,but 
afterward lharpe and nipping the tongue. From the bofome of which Ieaues come forth long 
round 
