Lib.j. OF the Hiftory of Plants.' 1177 
. The Temperature andVertues. 
Thefewild Thirties (according to Galen) are hot and dry in the fecond degree, and that through A 
the propertie of their elience they driue forth ftinking vrine, if the roots be boyled in Wine and 
drunke ; and that they take away the ranke fmell of the body and arme-holcs. 
Di of cor ides faith, that the root of the common Thiftle applied plaiftenvife corredeth the filthy B 
fmell of the arme holes and whole body. 
And that it workes the fame effeft ifit be boyled in wine and drunke, and that it expelleih plen- C 
tie of ftinking vrine. 
The fame Author arfirmeth alfo, that the herbe being as yet greene and tender is vfed to be ea- D 
ten among other herbes after the manner of Afparagus. 
This being ftamped before the floure appeareth, faith ft/'»y,and the iuyee prefled forth,caufeth E 
haire to grow where it is pilled off, if the place be bathed with the iuyee. 
The root ofany of the wilde Thirties being boyled in water and drunke, is reported to make F 
them dry that drinke it. 
It ftrengthneth the ftomacke ; and it is reported (ifwebeleeue it)that the fame is alrtrgood for G 
the matrix, that boyesmaybe ingendred : for fo of Athens hath written, and Glaitctns, who 
is thought towrite moft diligentlypf Thirties. 
This Thiftle being chewed is good againft ftinkingfceath. Thus farr e Pliny, in his twentieth H 
booke, cap. 2 ^. 
Chap. 4511. Of the zSMelon or Hedge-bog Tbijlle. 
Melocardutts Echinatut Venn & Lot. *[ 7 he Hefcription. 
The Hedge-hog Thiftle. 
\j\7 Ho can but maruel at the rare and fin- 
’ V gular workmanihip which the Lord 
God almighty hath (hewed in this Thiftle, 
called by the name Ecisino-Melouttos, or Me- 
la -car duns EchmattulThis knobby or bunchy 
made or lump is ftrangely compart: and con- 
text together, containing in it fundry (har es 
and formes, participating of a Pepon or Me- 
lon, and a Thiftle, both being incorporate in 
one body; which is made after the forme of 
a cock of hay.broad and fiat below,but fharp 
toward the top, as big as a mans body from 
the belly vpward : on the outfide hereof are 
fourteene hard ribbes,defcending from the 
crownetothe lowed part, like ch< bunchy or 
out fwellingrib of a Melon (landing out,and 
chanel led betweene ; at the top or crowne of 
the plant iftireth forth a fine filkencotton, 
wherewith it is full fraught ; within which 
cotton or flockes lie hid certain final (heaths 
orcods,fharpeat the point, and of a deep fan- 
guine colour, anfwering the cods of Capficum 
or Indian Pepper, not in (hew only, but in co- 
lour, but the cods are fomewhat fmaller. The 
furrowed or chanelled ribs on the outfide are 
garnifhed or rather armed with many prickly 
liars, Handing ina compafte like fharpe croo- 
ked homes orhookes,each ftar confiding of 
ten ortwelue pricks, wherewith the outward 
barke or pilling is garded, fo that without 
hurt to the fingers it cannot be touched : this rinde is hard, thicke, and like vnto Aloes, ofthe co- 
lour of the C ucumber : the flefh or inner pulpe is white, fat, waterifh, of tafte foitre, vnfauory.and 
cooling, much like vnto the meateofa raw Melon or Pompion. This plant groweth without leafe 
orftalke,asourNortherne Thiftle doth, called Cardans is bigger than the ( argeft 
Pompion ; 
