Chap. LXXXIII.
Elleborine.
Small or wilde white Ellebor.
The likenesse of the leaues of these plants, rather then any other faculty with the former white Ellebor, hath caused them to be called Elleborine, as if they were smaller white Ellebors. And I for the same cause haue ioyned them next, whereof there are found many sorts: One which is the greater kinde, is of greatest beauty; the other which are lesser differ not much one from another, more then in the colour of the flowers, whereof I will onely take three, being of the most beautie, and leaue the rest to another worke.
1. Helleborine vel Elleborine maior, siue Calceolus Mariæ. Our Ladies Slipper.
This most beautifull plant of all these kindes, riseth vp with diuers stalkes, a foote and a halfe high at the most, bearing on each side of them broad greene leaues, somewhat like in forme vnto the leaues of the white Ellebor, but smaller and not so ribbed, compassing the stalke at the lower end; at the tops of the stalkes come forth one, or two, or three flowers at the most, one aboue another, vpon small short foote-stalkes, with a small leafe at the foote of euery stalke: each of these flowers are of a long ouall forme, that is, more long then round, and hollow withall, especially at the vpper part, the lower being round and swelling like a belly: at the hollow part there are two small peeces like eares or flippets, that at the first doe couer the hollow part, and after stand apart one from another, all which are of a fine pale yellow colour, in all that I haue seene (yet it is said there are some found, that are more browne or tending to purple) there are likewise foure long, narrow, darke coloured leaues at the setting on of the flower vnto the stalke, wherein as it were the flower at the first standeth: the whole flower is of a pretty small sent: the seede is very small, very like vnto the seede of the Orchides or Satyrions, and contained in such like long pods, but bigger: the roots are composed of a number of strings enterlacing themselues one within another, lying within the vpper crust of the earth, & not spreading deep, of a darke brownish colour.
2. Elleborine minor flore albo. The small or wilde white Ellebor with a white flower.
This smaller wilde white Ellebor riseth vp in the like manner vnto the former, and not much lower, bearing such like leaues, but smaller, and of a winter greene colour, almost of the colour and fashion of the leaues of Lilly Conually; the top of the stalke hath many more flowers, but lesser, growing together, spike-fashion, with small short leaues at the stalke of euery flower, which consisteth of fiue small white leaues, with a small close hood in the middle, without any sent at all; the seede and seede vessels are like vnto the former, but smaller: the rootes are many small strings, dispersing themselues in the ground.
3. Elleborine minor flore purpurante. The small or wilde white Ellebor with blush flowers.
The leaues of this kinde are like vnto the last described, but somewhat narrower: the stalkes and flowers are alike, but smaller also, and of a pale purplish or blush colour, which causeth the difference.
The Place.
The first groweth in very many places of Germany, and in other Countries also. It groweth likewise in Lancashire, neare vpon the border of Yorkeshire, in a wood or place called the Helkes, which is three miles from Ingleborough, the highest Hill in England, and not farre from Ingleton, as I am informed by a courteous Gentlewoman, a great louer of these delights, called Mistris Thomasin Tunstall, who dwelleth at Bull-banke, neare Hornby Castle in those parts, and who hath often sent mee vp the rootes to London, which haue borne faire flowers in my Garden. The Second groweth in many places of England, and with the same Gentlewoman also before remembred, who sent me one plant of this kinde with the other. The last I haue not yet knowne to growe in England; but no doubt many things doe lye hid, and not obserued, which in time may bee discouered, if our Country Gentlemen and women, and others, in their seuerall places where they dwell, would be more carefull and diligent, and be aduertised either by themselues, or by others capable and fit to be imployed, as occasion and time might serue, to finde out such plants as growe in any the circuits or limits of their habitations, or in their trauels, as their pleasures or affaires leade them. And because ignorance is the chiefe cause of neglect of many rare things, which happen to their view at sometimes, which are not to be seene againe peraduenture, or not in many yeares after, I would heartily aduise all men of meanes, to be stirred vp to bend their mindes, and spend a little more time and trauell in these delights of herbes and flowers, then they haue formerly done, which are not onely harmlesse, but pleasurable in their time, and profitable in their vse. And if any would be better enformed, and certified of such things they know not, I would be willing and ready to my best skill to aduertise them, that shall send any thing vp to me where I dwell in London. Thus farre I haue digressed from the matter in hand, and yet not without some good vse I hope, that others may make of it.
The Time.
The two first flower earlier then the last, and both the first about one time, that is, in the end of Aprill, or beginning of May. The last in the end of May, or in Iune.
The Names.
The first is called Elleborine recentiorum maior, and Calceolus Mariæ: Of some thought to be Cosmosandalos, because it is Sandali forma. In English we call it our Ladies Slipper, after the Dutch name. The other two lesser kinds haue their names in their titles: I haue thought it fit to adde the title of small white Ellebors vnto these, for the forme sake, as is before said.
The Vertues.
There is no vse of these in Physicke in our dayes that I know.