The Verttics . 
We have not kno wne or heard unto what difeafe any of thele plants have beene applyed, and therefore untill 
we have lomewhat worthy the relation we mufl: be filent, leaving them to every ones judgement to apply them 
according to dilcretion. 
\ve "Branca urfina. Beares-breechl 
jcta,v_®SHereare two forts of this herbe, the one fmooth and without prickles eytheronthe leafe or head: the 
other very prickly in the leafe but not on the head : which although I have fee forth in my former 
;• t->sj booke, yet I thinkegoodto repeatethem hercagaine, in that I would a little more comment upon 
■feiSvwJi them,and (hew you more fully their fpecificall vermes. 
i. Acanthus fatbits. The garden gentle or manured Beares-breech. 
This gentle Thiflle (as it is accounted ) (hooteth foote many very large thicke fmooth and fad grecne leaves 
upon the ground with a thicke middle rib, and parted into (undry deepegafhes on the edges, from among which 
after it hath (food long in a convenient p(ace,ri(eth a reafonable great ftalk ? or 4 foot high without either j’oynt, 
branch or leafe thereon, but onely from the middle upwards, (et with a (pike as it were of whitehoodded or 
gaping flowers (landing in brownilh huskes, fomewhat (harpe at the points,and a fmall long undivided leafe!un- 
der each flowertafter which come in the hotter countries (but not in ours as (at as I can learrej broad,flat,round, 
thicke, brownilh yellow ftede; the text of ViofcorUes hath them fomewhat long but fuch did I never fie,which 
having put into the ground hath fprunge with me and growne, the rootes are many great thicke and long (kings, 
fpreading fan e and deepe in the gronnd, of a darkifh colour on the outfide and whitifh withimvery clammy and 
more then the leaves, fo full of life [that a fmall pecce left in the ground, will fpring up againe, but will require 
fhelter or defence from the extremetie of the winter wether. 
a. Acanthus Sjlveflris. The wilde or prickly Beares-breech. 
This other wilde or prickly forr hath like wile fundry long leaves, lying on the ground but much narrower 
more devided on the edges into (mailer parrs, and each part with (mall incifions, and very (harpe white prickles 
at them,from among which a lefl'er and lower (la'.ke arileth.with the like fpiked head of fiowers,andafew prick¬ 
ly leaves thereon in their way comming up, (landing in more (harpe and prickely huskes than the former, after 
which the feedc that it prodneeth, is as (mall as a little Peafe, hard, blacke, and round : the roote hereof fprea- 
deth not fo deepe, or farreas the former, nor growethfo great but is more tender tokeepe from the Win¬ 
ter coldes. 
The Place and Time, - 
They both grow naturally in many places of Italy, Spasne, and France, but are onely nurfed up in the gardens 
1. slcavtlm fativa. 
Beares breech. 
1. Acanthus fyltefttis. 
Prickly Beares- breech, 
of 
