There is (as I doe heare) of this kinde, both Præcoces and Serotinæ early flowring, and late flowring, whereof although wee haue not so exact knowledge, as of the rest, yet I thought good to speake so much, as I could hitherto vnderstand of them, and giue others leaue (if I doe not) hereafter to amplifie it.
Tulipa Boloniensis, siue Bombycina flore rubro major. The greater red Bolonia Tulipa.
There are likewise other kindes of early Tulipas to bee spoken of, and first of the red Bolonia Tulipa; the roote whereof is plainly discerned, to be differing from all others: for that it is longer, and not hauing so plaine an eminence at the bottome thereof, as the former and later Tulipas, but more especially because the toppe is plentifully stored with a yellowish silke-like woollinesse: the outside likewise or skinne is of a brighter or paler red, not so easie to be pilled away, and runneth vnder ground both downeright and sidewise (especially in the countrey ground and ayre, where it will encrease aboundantly, but not either in our London ayre, or forc’t grounds) somewhat like vnto the yellow Bolonia Tulipa next following. It shooteth out of the ground with broad and long leaues, like the former; but neither so broad, nor of so white or mealy a greene colour as the former, but more darke then the late flowring Tulipa, so that this may bee easily discerned by his leafe from any other Tulipa aboue the ground, by one that is skilfull. It beareth likewise three or foure leaues vpon the stalke, like the former, and a flower also at the toppe of the same fashion, but that the leaues hereof are alwayes long, and somewhat narrow, hauing a large blacke bottome, made like vnto a cheuerne, the point whereof riseth vp vnto the middle of the leafe, higher then any other Tulipa; the flower is of a pale red colour, nothing so liuely as in the early or late red Tulipas, yet sweeter for the most part then any of them, and neerest vnto the yellow Bolonia Tulipa, which is much about the same sent.
Tulipa pumilio rubra, siue Bergomensis rubra media & minor. The dwarfe red Bergomo Tulipa, a bigger and a lesser.
There are two other sorts hereof, and because they were found about Bergomo, do carry that name, the one bigger or lesser then another, yet neither so great as the former, hauing very little other difference to bee obserued in them, then that they are smaller in all parts of them.
Tulipa Boloniensis flore luteo. The yellow Bolonia Tulipa.
The roote of this Tulipa may likewise bee knowne from the former red (or any other Tulipa) in that it seldome commeth to bee so bigge, and is not so woolly at the toppe, and the skinne or outside is somewhat paler, harder, and sharper pointed: but the bottome is like the former red, and not so eminent as the early or late Tulipas. This beareth much longer and narrower leaues then any (except the Persian & dwarfe yellow Tulipas) and of a whitish greene colour: it beareth sometimes but one flower on a stalke, and sometimes two or three wholly yellow, but smaller, & more open then the other kinds, and (as I said) smelleth sweete, the head for seede is smaller then in others, and hath not that crowne at the head thereof yet the seed is like, but smaller.
Tulipa Narbonensis, siue Monspeliensis vel pumilio. The French or dwarfe yellow Tulipa.
This Tulipa is very like vnto the yellow Bolonia Tulipa, both in roote, leafe, and flower, as also in the colour thereof, being yellow: the onely difference is, that it is in all things lesser and lower, and is not so apt to beare, nor so plentifull to encrease by the roote.