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A Branch of the Humming Bird Tree.
{74} (4.)
This Plant the Humming Bird feedeth upon, it groweth likewise in wet grounds, and is not at its full growth till July, and then it is two Cubits high and better, the Leaves are thin, and of a pale green Colour, some of them as big as a Nettle Leaf, it spreads into many Branches, knotty at the setting on, and of a purple Colour, and garnished on the top with many hollow dangling Flowers of a bright yellow Colour, speckled with a deeper yellow as it were shadowed, the Stalkes are as hollow as a Kix, and so are the Roots, which are transparent, very tender, and full of a yellowish juice.[233]
For Bruises and Aches upon stroaks.
The Indians make use of it for Aches, being bruised between two stones, and laid to cold, but made (after the English manner) into an unguent with Hogs Grease, there is not a more soveraign remedy for bruises of what kind soever; and for Aches upon Stroaks.
In August, 1670. in a Swamp amongst Alders, I found a fort of Tree Sow Thistle, the Stalks of some two or three Inches, {75} about, as hollow as a Kix and very brittle, the Leaves were smooth, and in shape like Sonchus lævis, i.e. Hares Lettice, but longer, some about a Foot, these grow at a distance one from another, almost to the top, where it begins to put forth Flowers between the Leaves and the Stalk, the top of the stalk runs out into a spike, beset about with Flowers like Sow Thistle, of a blew or azure colour: I brought home one of the Plants which was between twelve and thirteen Foot in length, I wondered at it the more for that so large and tall a Plant should grow from so small a Root, consisting of slender white strings little bigger than Bents, and not many of them, and none above a Finger long, spreading under the upper crust of the Earth; the whole Plant is full of Milk, and of a strong favour.[234]
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