141-144 Apple Tree, Devil's Bit, Male Speedwell, Saffron.
141. The Apple Tree. Malus sativa.
Also see #141. The Apple Tree. - #178. The Wilding or Crab Tree.
1. Among the great variety of Apples, those which are accounted best for Medicinal Use are the Pearmain and Pippin. The largest Pearmain is ye Herefordshire. The Leaves are a dark grass Green above, and heavy underneath; and the Blossoms white tinctured with purple.
2. It is planted in Gardens and flowers in March.
3. Apples are accounted cordial, chearing the Spirits and driving away Melancholy. Of the Juice is made the Syrupi e Pomis, which is an Ingredient in ye Confectio Alkermis.
4. Greek. Μαλεα. Latin, Malus sativa. Spanish. Mansanas. Italian, Mele, or Pome. French. Pomes. German. Depfell. Dutch. Appelen.
142. Devil's Bit, or smooth Succisa. Morsus Diaboli & Succisa.
1. The Stalks grow to be a Foot and a half high, the Leaves are a grass Green, and the Flowers a blue Purple.
2. It grows in Meadows and Pasture Grounds, and flowers ye latter end of Summer.
3. The Leaves are esteem'd alexipharmic, usefull in malignant Fevers and Pestilential Distempers. Outwardly as a Cataplasm they are good for Bruises and Contusions. The Herb Women sell the Leaves of this Plant instead of the common Scabious. (Knautia arvensis -Henriette).
4. Greek. Latin. Succisa or Morsus Diaboli. Spanish. Italian, Morso di Diavolo. French. German. Zeuffels Abbiss. Dutch. Duyvels Beed.
143. Male Speedwell. Veronica mas.
Also see #048. Brooklime. - #143, Male Speedwell.
1. This is a low creeping Plant; the Leaves are a light Green, and the Flowers a bluish Purple.
2. It grows in Woods and Shady Places, flowring in Iune.
3. This is esteemed a vulnerary Plant, being used both inwardly & outwardly. Some account it good for Coughs and Consumptions, the Stone, Stranguary, and pestilential Fevers.
4. Greek. Latin. Veronica mas. French. Italian. Veronica. French. German. Ehrenpreiss. Dutch.
144. Saffron. Crocus.
1. The Stalks grow four or five Inches above Ground; the Leaves are a dark grass Green, and the Flowers purple; with red Stamina, which is ye Saffron of the Shops.
2. The best Saffron grows in Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire; it flowers i September and October.
3. Saffron is esteemed a great Cordial, strengthening ye Heart & vital spirits, resisting Putrefaction, & usefull in all Kinds of malignant & contagious Distempers, Fevers, Small Pox & Measles. It opens obstructions of ye Liver & Spleen, helps ye Jaundice, brings down ye Catamenia, expediates the Birth & expells ye Secundines. It is also good in Diseases of ye Lungs, as Asthmas, or Consumptions. Outwardly in Poultice it eases Pains, & ripens Imposthumations.
4. Greek, Κροκος. Latin. Crocus & Crocus sativus. Spanish. Azaffran. Italian. Zaffarano. French. Zaffran. German. Saffran. Dutch. Saffraan.
