3. Carolus Clusius also setteth forth another sort of a great Gentian, rising forth of the ground with a stiff, firm or solid stalk, set with leaves like unto Asclepias, by couples one opposite against another, even from the bottom to the top in certain distances: from the bosom of the leaves there shoot forth set upon slender footstalks certain long hollow flowers like bells, the mouth whereof endeth in five sharp corners. The whole flower changeth many times his colour according to the soil and climate; now and then purple or blue, sometimes whitish, and often of an ash colour. The root and seed is like the precedent.

            4. Crosswort Gentian hath many ribbed leaves spread upon the ground, like unto the leaves of Soapwort, but of a blacker green colour: among which rise up weak jointed stalks trailing or leaning toward the ground. The flowers grow at the top in bundles thick thrust together, like those of Sweet Williams, of a light blue colour. The root is thick, and creepeth in the ground far abroad, whereby it greatly increaseth.

Fig. 658. Dr. Pennie's Spotted Gentian (5)

            5. Carolus Clusius hath set forth in his Pannonic History a kind of Gentian, which he received from Mr. Thomas Pennie of London, Doctor in physic, of famous memory, and a second Dioscorides for his singular knowledge in plants: which Tabernamontanus hath set forth in his Dutch book for the seventh of Clusius, wherein he greatly deceived himself, and hath with a false description wronged others.

            This twelfth sort or kind of Gentian after Clusius, hath a round stiff stalk, firm and solid, somewhat reddish at the bottom, jointed or kneed like unto Crosswort Gentian. The leaves are broad, smooth, full of ribs or sinews, set about the stalks by couples, one opposite against another. The flowers grow upon small tender stalks, compact of five slender blueish leaves, spotted very curiously with many black spots and little lines; having in the middle five yellow chives. The seed is small like sand: the root is little, garnished with a few strings of a yellowish colour.

The Place.

            Gentian groweth in shadowy woods, and the mountains of Italy, Slavonia, Germany, France, and Burgundy; from whence Mr. Isaac de Laune a learned physician sent me plants for the increase of my garden. Crosswort Gentian groweth in a pasture at the West end of Little Rayne in Essex on the North side of the way leading from Braintree to Much Dunmow; and in the horseway by the same close.

The Time.

            They flower and flourish in August, and the seed is ripe in September.

The Names.

            Gentius King of Illyria was the first finder of this herb, and the first that used it in medicine, for which cause it was called Gentian after his own name: in Greek, Gentiane, which name also the apothecaries retain unto this day, and call it Gentiana: it is named in English Felwort, Gentian, Bitterwort, Baldmoyne, and Baldmoney.

            1. This by most writers is called Gentiana, and Gentiana maior lutea.

            2. Gesner calleth this Gentiana punicea; Clusius, Gentiana maior flore purpureo.

            3. This is Gentiana foliis hirundinariæ of Gesner: and Gentiana asclepiadis folio of Clusius.

            4. This, Cruciata, or Gentiana Cruciata, of Tragus, Fuschius, Dodonæus, Gesner and others: it is the Gentiana minor of Matthiolus.

            5. Clusius calls this Gentiana maior pallida punctis distincta.

The Temperature.

            The root of Felwort is hot, as Dioscorides saith, cleansing or scouring: divers copies have, that it is likewise binding, and of a bitter taste.

The Virtues.

            A. It is excellent good, as Galen saith, when there is need of attenuating, purging, cleansing, and removing of obstructions, which quality it taketh of his extreme bitterness.

            B. It is reported to be good for those that are troubled with cramps and convulsions; for such as are burst, or have fallen from some high place: for such as have evil livers and bad stomachs. It is put into counterpoisons, as into the composition named Theriaca diatessaron: which Aetius calleth mysterium, a mystery or hid secret.

            C. This is of such force and virtue, saith Pliny, that it helpeth cattle which are not only troubled with the cough, but are also broken winded.

            D. The root of Gentian given in powder the quantity of a dram, with a little pepper and Herb Grace mixed therewith, is profitable for them that are bitten or stung with any manner of venomous beast or mad dog: or for any that hath taken poison.

            E. The decoction drunk is good against the stoppings of the liver, and crudity of the stomach, helpeth digestion, dissolveth and scattereth congealed blood, and is good against all cold diseases of the inward parts.