13S8 Of the Hiftory of Plants; 
Li B. 
3 * 
The Defeription. 
A 7 Itexfir the Chafte tree, grovveth af ter the manner ofa bufhiefhrub or hedge tree ha- 
V uing many twiggie branches, very pliant and eafie to be bent without breaking, like 
to the willow:the leaues are for themoft part diuided into fine or feueri feftions or di- 
uiiions,nuich like the leaues of Hemp, whereof each part is long and narro\v,very like vnto the wil- 
low leafe,but fmaller : the floures do grow at the vppermofl: parts of the branches, like vnto fpikie 
eareSjCluftering together about the branches,of a light purple or blew colour, and very fweet fmel • 
the fruit is fmall and round, like vnto the graines or comes of pepper. 
$ 2 Label mentions another varietie hereof that differs front the former oncly in that it hath 
broader leaues,andthefealfofnipt about the edges. £ 
The Place. 
Vitex grovveth naturally inltaly, and other hotregion$,by water courfes and running ftreames: 
I haue it growing in my garden. 
The Time. 
Vitex beginneth to recouer his laft lsaues in May, and the floures come forth in Auguft. 
TheTfames. 
t The Grecians call this fhrub h»<. and *»>.• Agnes (i.) Caput, Chafte : becaufe,faith Pliny in his 
2 4 .booke,? . Chapter, the Athenian Matrons in their feaft call cdThcfmophoria dedicated to the ho- 
nour of Ceres, deftrous to kcepe themfelues chafte, doe lay the leaues in their beds vnder them : the 
Latines name it Vitex , and ofdiuersit is termed,aswee finde among the baftard and counterfeit 
names, «>.<•• in Latine, Salix marina, or Salix Amentia, and Piper ^Lgrefie : in high Dutch, jsPcljaffa 
mulle fecufcllbnum : in low Dutch, and alfo of the Apothecaries,/^*^ Caflus .■ the Italians, viticc 
AgnoCapo: in S^3mfa,Gattilccaflo: in Englifli, Chafte tree,Hempe tree, and ofdiuers Agnus caftus\ 
t The name \^ignus Cajlm comes by confounding the Greeke name Agnes with Cajlus ,the Latine 
interpretation thereof, f 
The Temperature. 
The leaues and fruit of isfgnus cajlus are hot and drie in the third degree: they areof very thin 
parts, and vvafte or con fume winde. 
T he Vertues. 
A Agnus (fapus is a lingular medicineand remedie for fuch as would willingly Iiue chafte, for it 
withftandethall vncleannefle, or defire to the fleCh, confirming and drying vp the feed of generati- 
on, in what iortfoetier it be taken, whether in ponder onely, or the deco&ion drunke, or whether 
the leaues be carried about the body ■ for which caufe it was called Cajlus-, that is to fay, chafte,, 
cleane,and pure. 
B The feed of Agnus Caftus drunken, driueth away, and diffolueth all windinelfe of the ftomacke, 1 
openeth and cureth the ftoppings of the liner and fpleen ;andin the beginning of dropfies,it is food 
to be drunke in wine in the quantitie ofa dram. 
q The leaues ftamped with butter, dilfolue and alfwage the fwellings of the genitories and cods’ 
being applied thereto. 
£> The decoffion of the hc-rbe and feed is good againft pain and inflammations about the matrix,’ 
ifwomenbe caufed to fitand bathe their priuy parts therein: the feed being drunke with Penny- 
roiallbringethdownethemenfes,asitdothalfobothinafume and ina pelfary:ina Pultisitcu- 
reth the head-ache, the Phrenticke,and thofe that haue the Lethargic are woont to be bathed here- 
with, oileandvinegerbeing added thereto. 
E The leaues vfed in a fume, and alfo ftrovved, driueaway ferpents ; and beeinglayed on doe cure 
their birings. 
j: The feed laied on vv ith water doth healc the clifts or rifts of the fundament; with the leaues, it is 
a remedie for lims out ofioint,and for wounds. 
q It is reportcckrhat if luch as iourney or traucll do carry with them a branch or rod of Agnus Cal 
(ins in their hand.it will keep them from Merry-galls,and wearinelfe : Dta/e. 
Chap. 55. Of the Willow Tree, 
The Defeription. 
2 r l 'He common Willow is an high tree, with a body ofameane thicknefle,and rifeth vp as 
. h'S 1 ' as other trees, doe if it be not topped in the beginning, foone after it is planted ; the 
. ' • barke 
