3 
nil | 
Palma Chrifti, or great Spurge. 
•gEcaule there be many forts of Spurges,and that this kinde ofgreat Spurge doth much differ from'al! the 
; other forts, hereafter let forth, I thinke it fitted torankeitin a chapter by it felfe before the ocher, as 
i a captaine to all the reft; for although the properties be conformable to the Spurges, yctfoarenot, 
’ either forme of leaves, flowers, or leede, of any of the foure or five forts, 1 fiiall here fhew you: Take 
this therefore as the firft kinde. 
i. Ricimn five CatapHtia major vnlgMior. The more ordinary Palma Chrilti, or great Spurge. 
This meat Spurge, (which doth grow in the warmeandhot countries, of Europe and to be as great in the 
bo dy a?a man, and as tall as a reafonable great tree, and isufedtobe lopped every yeare, whofe (cede cannot 
be gathered without a ladder let thereto, and whole leafe fiftieth not away in the winter as Bellonius faith in i 
the firft booke of his observations, the i S chapter) fpringeth up in our countrie, to be eight or neere fometimes :j 
tenne foote hi"h, whofeftemme w ill be hollowed as biggbalmoit as our ordinary canes, of abrownifh colour, j 
with an eye of blew hoarineffe upon it: the leaves that (land both upon the ftemme, and upon the brandies it i 
fendeth forth, every one (everally, on all fides upon long foote ftalkes, arc very broad, and divided into five or rj 
feaven or into more divifions (reprefenting the hand of a man, with the fingers fpread abroad) of a darke or i 
deepe mecne colour on the upperfide, and whitifh greene underneath; the flowers arc many round buttons,fhoo- • 
t ingfonh together, and (land all along upon a long ftalke, atthetoppes of the Item and branches, confiding of ti 
many pale yellow threads, which fall away without bearing any feede: but lower upon the ftemme or maine ; 
ftalke-and fometimes alfo upon the branches, breakc forth other heades, which are the feede upon long foote a 
ftalkes, bein" three fquare or three feCdes joyned together, rough and afhcoloured on the outfide, or outer Ihell, ,| 
which'openuig it felfe, or being opened,there lyeth within it the feede, whole outward huske is difcoloured, or ii 
as it were fpotted and (haped like unto a ticke, which conteineth within it, apretty large,(tuning round fome-, 
what long and flat feede, of a browne colour, having a white pulpe or kernell within it; of a fiery hot tafte, bur¬ 
ning the mouth and throatc, of whomfoever (hall tafte it, but very unftuotis or oylie; whereof an oyle is preffed J 
which is onely ufed for outward rernedies.for as Diofcondes faich it is cibisfccdum- t but ferveth to burnc in lampes, 
in thole hot countries, where it is naturall and plentiful, the roote confifteth of many long and great firings, and:l 
fmall fibres, which periflieth with us quickcly, after it hath felt the firft frofts, and mud be new fet every yeare) 
by them will have it, butabidethin the warme countries, asllayd in the beginning of the delcnption many ij 
yeares. 
I, Ricims five Catapotia major vu'gat lor. 
The more ordinary Palma Chrifti or great Spurge, 
4. Ritirm Americans & fioliurti novellum , 
Palnu Chrifti of America,and one of the firft leaves,' 
a. RW'm 
