The Place.
They naturally grow in many places both of Germany and Hungary; in Spaine likewise, and on Mount Baldus in Italy, and Narbone in France, about the borders of the fields: we haue them in our Gardens for delight.
The Time.
These flower from the beginning of March, or sooner sometimes, vntill the beginning of May.
The Names.
They are most commonly called Botroides, but more truely Botryodes, of Βότρυς the Greeke word, which signifieth a bunch or cluster of grapes: Lobelius calleth the white one, Dipcadi flore albo, transferring the name Dipcadi, whereby the Muscari is called to this Iacinth, as if they were both one. Their seuerall names, whereby they are knowne, and called, are set downe in their titles. The Dutchmen call them Driuekens, as I said before. Some English Gentlewomen call the white Grape-flower Pearles of Spaine.
{Faire haired Iacinth}
1. Hyacinthus Comosus albus. The white haired Iacinth.
This Iacinth doth more neerly resemble the Grape-flowers, then the faire haired Iacinths that follow, whereof it beareth the name, in that it hath no haire or threeds at the toppe of the stalke or sides, as they: and therefore I haue placed it next vnto them, and the other to follow it, as being of another kinde. The root hereof is blackish, a little long and round, from whence rise vp three or foure leaues, being smooth and whitish, long, narrow, and hollow, like a trough or gutter on the vpperside: among which the stalke riseth vp a foote high or more, bearing at the toppe diuers small flowers, somewhat like the former, but not so thicke set together, being a little longer, and larger, and wider at the mouth, and as it were diuided into six edges, of a darke whitish colour, with some blacker spots about the brimmes on the inside: the heads or seede-vessels are three square, and somewhat larger, then the heads of any of the former lesser Grape-flowers, wherein is contained round blacke seede.