Chap. XXXIII.
Nasturtium hortense.
Garden Cresses.
Garden Cresses growe vp to the height of two foote or thereabouts, hauing many small, whitish, broad, endented, torne leaues, set together vpon a middle ribbe next the ground, but those that growe higher vpon the stalkes are smaller and longer: the tops of the stalkes are stored with white flowers, which turne into flat pods or pouches, like vnto Shepheard purse, wherein is contained flat reddish seede: the roote perisheth euery yeare: the taste both of leaues and seedes are somewhat strong, hot, and bitter.
The Vse of Cresses.
The Dutchmen and others vse to eate Cresses familiarly with their butter and bread, as also stewed or boyled, either alone or with other herbes, whereof they make a Hotch potch, and so eate it. Wee doe eate it mixed among Lettice or Purslane, and sometimes with Tarragon or Rocket, with oyle and vinegar and a little salt, and in that manner it is very sauoury to some mens stomackes.
The vse of Cresses physically is, it helpeth to expectorate tough flegme, as also for the paines of the breast; and as it is thought taketh away spots, being laid to with vinegar. The seede is giuen of many to children for the wormes.
| 1 | Portulaca. Purslane. |
| 2 | Dracho herba seu Tarchon. Tarragon. |
| 3 | Eruca satiua. Garden Rocket. |
| 4 | Nasturtium sativum. Garden Cresses. |
| 5 | Sinapi. Mustard. |
| 6 | Asparagus. Asparagus or Sperage. |