They doe all flower about the moneths of Iune and Iuly, and their seede is ripe soone after: but the second is earlier then the rest.
The Names.
The first is called Clymenum of Matthiolus, and Lathyris of Lobel and others: but Lathyris in Greeke is Cataputia in Latine, which is our Spurge, farre differing from this Pulse; and therefore Lathyrus is more proper to distinguish them asunder, that two plants so farre vnlike should not bee called by one name: this is also called Lathyrus latifolius, because there is another called angustifolius, that differeth from it also: It is most vsually called with vs, Pisum perenne, and in English Pease blossome, or Pease euerlasting. The second is called by Clusius, Orobus venetus, because it was sent him from Venice, with another of the same kinde that bore white flowers; yet differeth but little or nothing from that kinde he found in Hungary, that I thinke the seuerall places of their growing only cause them to bear seuerall names, and to be the same in deede. Although I yeeld vnto Clusius the Latine name which doth not sufficiently content mee; yet I haue thought good to giue it a differing English name, according as it is in the title. The third, because I first receiued it among other seeds from Spaine, I haue giuen it the name, as it is entituled. The fourth is called of some Sandalida Cretica, & Lotus filiquosus flore rubello, Lotus tetragonolobus, Pisum rubrum, & Pisum quadratum: We vsually call it in English, Crimson Pease, or square Pease. The Medica Cochleata is called of Dodonæus Trifolium Cochleatum, but not iudged to be the true Medica. Wee call it in English, Medick fodder, Snailes Clouer, or as it is in the title, and so the rest of the Medica’s accordingly. The Hedysarum clypeatum or Securidaca is called of Dodonæus Onobrichis altera, and we in English for the likenesse, The red Sattin flower, although some foolishly call it, the red or French Honysuckle. The last is called by Lobel, Scorpioides bupleurifolio, I haue called it minus, because the greatest sort which came to me out of Spaine was not knowne vnto him; in English they are generally called Caterpillers.
The Vertues.
The Medica’s are generally thought to feede cattell fat much more then the Medow Trefoile, or Clouer grasse, and therefore I haue known diuers Gentlemen that haue plowed vp some of their pasture grounds, and sowen them with the seedes of some Medica’s to make the experience. All the other sorts are pleasures to delight the curious, and not any way profitable in Physicke that I know.
Chap. LXXX.
Pæonia. Peonie.
There are two principall kindes of Peonie, that is to say, the Male and the Female. Of the male kinde, I haue onely known one sort, but of the Female a great many; which are thus to be distinguished. The male his leafe is whole, without any particular diuision, notch or dent on the edge, & his rootes long & round, diuided into many branches, somewhat like to the rootes of Gentian or Elecampane, and not tuberous at all. The Female of all sorts hath the leaues diuided or cut in on the edges, more or lesse, and hath alwaies tuberous rootes, that is, like clogs or Asphodill rootes, with many great thick round peeces hanging, or growing at the end of smaller strings, and all ioyned to the toppe of the maine roote.