The properties of Daisies are certainly to binde, and the roote especially being dryed, they are vsed in medicines to that purpose. They are also of speciall account among those herbes, that are vsed for wounds in the head.
Chap. LXXIII.
Scabiosa. Scabious.
The sorts of Scabious being many, yeeld not flowers of beauty or respect, fit to bee cherished in this our Garden of delight; and therefore I leaue them to the Fields and Woods, there to abide. I haue onely two or three strangers to bring to your acquaintance, which are worthy this place.
1. Scabiosa flore albo. White flowred Scabious.
This white Scabious hath many long leaues, very much iagged or gasht in on both sides, of a meane bignesse, being neither so large as many of the field, nor so small as any of the small kindes: the stalkes rise about a foote and a halfe high, or somewhat higher, at the tops whereof grow round heads, thicke set with flowers, like in all points vnto the field Scabious, but of a milke white colour.
2. Scabiosa rubra Austriaca. Red Scabious of Austria.
This red Scabious hath many leaues lying vpon the ground, very like vnto Deuils bit, but not so large, being shorter and snipt, not gashed about the edges, of a light greene colour; yet (there is another of a darker greene colour, whose flower is of a deeper red) the stalkes haue diuers such leaues on them, set by couples at the ioynts as grow belowe, and at the tops small heads of flowers, each consisting of fiue leaues, the biggest flowers standing round about in the outer compasse, as is vsuall almost in all the kinds of Scabious, of a fine light purple or red colour: after the flowers are past, come the seede, which is somewhat long and round, set with certaine haires at the head thereof, like vnto a Starre: the roote is composed of a number of slender strings, fastened at the head.