The iuice of Apples likewise, as of pippins, and pearemaines, is of very good vse in Melancholicke diseases, helping to procure mirth, and to expell heauinesse.
The distilled water of the same Apples is of the like effect.
There is a fine sweet oyntment made of Apples called Pomatum, which is much vsed to helpe chapt lips, or hands, or for the face, or any other part of the skinne that is rough with winde, or any other accident, to supple them, and make them smooth.
Chap. XX.
Cydonia. Quinces.
Wee haue some diuersities of Quinces, although not many, yet more then our elder times were acquainted with, which shall be here expressed.
The Quince tree groweth oftentimes to the height and bignesse of a good Apple tree, but more vsually lower, with crooked and spreading armes and branches farre abroad, the leaues are somewhat round, and like the leaues of the Apple tree, but thicker, harder, fuller of veines, and white on the vnderside: the blossomes or flowers are white, now and then dasht ouer with blush, being large and open, like vnto a single Rose: the fruit followeth, which when it is ripe is yellow, and couered with a white cotton or freeze, which in the younger is thicker and more plentifull, but waxeth lesse and lesse, as the fruit ripeneth, being bunched out many times in seuerall places, and round, especially about the head, some greater, others smaller, some round like an Apple, others long like a Peare, of a strong heady sent, accounted not wholsome or long to be endured, and of no durabilitie to keepe, in the middle whereof is a core, with many blackish seedes or kernels therein, lying close together in cels, and compassed with a kinde of cleare gelly, which is easier seene in the scalded fruit, then in the raw.
The English Quince is the ordinarie Apple Quince, set downe before, and is of so harsh a taste being greene, that no man can endure to eate it rawe, but eyther boyled, stewed, roasted or baked; all which waies it is very good.
The Portingall Apple Quince is a great yellow Quince, seldome comming to bee whole and faire without chapping; this is so pleasant being fresh gathered, that it may be eaten like vnto an Apple without offence.
The Portingall Peare Quince is not fit to be eaten rawe like the former, but must be vsed after some of the waies the English Quince is appointed, and so it will make more dainty dishes then the English, because it is lesse harsh, will bee more tender, and take lesse sugar for the ordering then the English kinde.