Granadillvs Frvtex Indicvs Christi Passionis Imago.
The Place.
The first blew Perwinkle groweth in many Woods and Orchards, by the hedge sides in England, and so doth the white here and there, but the other single and double purple are in our Gardens onely. The great Perwinkle groweth in Prouence of France, in Spaine, and Italy, and other hot Countries, where also growe all the twining Clamberers, as well single as double: but both the vpright ones doe growe in Hungary and there abouts. The surpassing delight of all flowers came from Virginia. Wee preserue them all in our Gardens.
The Time.
The Perwinkles doe flower in March and Aprill. The Climers not vntill the end of Iune, or in Iuly, and sometimes in August. The Virginian somewhat later in August; yet sometimes I haue knowne the flower to shew it selfe in Iuly.
| 1 | Thlaspi Creticum. Candy tufts. |
| 2 | Vinca peruinca flore simplici. Single Perwinkle. |
| 3 | Vinca peruinca flore duplici. Double Perwinkle. |
| 4 | Flammula Matthioli. Vpright Virgins Bower. |
| 5 | Clematis peregrina flore simplici. The single Ladies Bower. |
| 6 | Clematis peregrina flore pleno purpureo. Double flowred Ladies Bower. |
| 7 | Maracoc siue Clematis Virginiana. The Virginian Climer. |
The Names.
The first is out of question the first Clematis of Dioscorides, and called of many Clematis Daphnoides (but not that plant that is simply called Daphnoides, for that is Laureola) and is vsually called Vinca pervinca: but it is not Chamædaphne, for that is another plant, as shall be shewed in his place; some call it Centunculus: In English wee call it Perwinkle. The other is Clematis altera of Dioscorides, and is called also Clematis peregrina, whose distinctions are set downe in their titles: In English, Ladies Bower, or Virgins Bower, because they are fit to growe by Arbours, to couer them. The first vpright Clamberer is called, and that rightly of some, Clematis erecta, or surrecta. Of others, Flammula frutex, and Flammula Iouis, or surrecta: In English, Vpright Virgins Bower. The next is called by Clusius, Clematis Pannonica cæulea, who thought it to be Climeni species, by the relation of others, at the first, but after entituled it, Clematis: In English, the Hungarian Climer. The last may be called in Latine, Clematis Virginiana: In English, The Virgin or Virginian Climer; of the Virginians, Maracoc: of the Spaniards in the West Indies Granadillo, because the fruit (as is before said) is in some fashion like a small Pomegranate on the outside; yet the seede within is flattish, round, and blackish. Some superstitious Iesuite would faine make men beleeue, that in the flower of this plant are to be seene all the markes of our Sauiours Passion; and therefore call it Flos Passionis: and to that end haue caused figures to be drawne, and printed, with all the parts proportioned out, as thornes, nailes, speare, whippe, pillar, &c. in it, and all as true as the Sea burnes, which you may well perceiue by the true figure, taken to the life of the plant, compared with the figures set forth by the Iesuites, which I haue placed here likewise for euery one to see: but these bee their aduantagious lies (which with them are tolerable, or rather pious and meritorious) wherewith they vse to instruct their people; but I dare say, God neuer willed his Priests to instruct his people with lyes: for they come from the Diuell, the author of them. But you may say I am beside my Text, and I am in doubt you will thinke, I am in this besides my selfe, and so nothing to be beleeued herein that I say. For, for the most part, it is an inherent errour in all of that side, to beleeue nothing, be it neuer so true, that any of our side shall affirme, that contrarieth the assertions of any of their Fathers, as they call them: but I must referre them to God, and hee knoweth the truth, and will reforme or deforme them in his time. In regard whereof I could not but speake (the occasion being thus offered) against such an erroneous opinion (which euen Dʳ. Aldine at Rome, [before remembred], disproued, and contraried both the said figures and name) and seek to disproue it, as doth (I say not almost, but I am affraid altogether) leade many to adore the very picture of such things, as are but the fictions of superstitious brains: for the flower it selfe is farre differing from their figure, as both Aldine in the [aforesaid booke], and Robinus at Paris in his Theatrum Floræ, doe set forth; the flowers and leaues being drawne to the life, and there exhibited, which I hope may satisfie all men, that will not be perpetually obstinate and contentious.