Of Dogs tooth.

| 13 Dens caninus. Dogs tooth. | 14 Dens caninus flore albo angustioribus folijs. White Dogs tooth. | |--------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|

The description.

13 There hath not long since been found out a goodly bulbose rooted plant, and termed Saty rion, which was supposed to be the true Satyrion of Dioscorides, after that it was cherished and the vertues thereof found out by the studious searchers of nature. Little difference hath hath been found betwixt that plant of Dioscorides and this Dens caninus, except in the colour, which (as you know) doth commonly varie, according to the diuersitie of places where they grow, as it falleth out in Squilla, Onions, & the other kinds of bulbose plants. It hath most commonly two leaues, very seldom three, which leafe in shape is much like to Allium vrsinum, or Ramfons, though far lesser. The leaues turne down to the groundward: the stalke is tender and flexible, like to Cyclamen or Sowe bread, about a handfull high, bare and without leaues to the roote. The proportion of the flower is like those of Saffron, or the Lilly flower, full of streames of a purplish white colour. The roote is bigge and like vnto a Date, with some fibres growing from it: vnto the said roote is a small, flat, halfe round bulbe adioining, like vnto Gladiolus or corne flagge. 2 The second kinde is farre greater and larger than the first, in bulbe, stalke, leaues, flower and cod. It yeeldeth two leaues for the most part, which do close one within another, and at the first they do hide the flower (for so long as it brings not out his flower) it seemes to haue but one leafe like the Tulipaes & like the Lillies, though shorter, & for the most part broader; wherefore I haue placed it and his kinds next vnto the Lillies, before the kinds of Orchis or stones. These leaues which he beareth, are spotted with many great spots of a darke purple colour, narrow below, but by little and little toward the top waxing broade, and after that growing to be sharpe pointed, in forme somewhat neere Ramfons, but thicker & more oleous. When the leaues be wide opened, the flower sheweth it selfe vpon his long weake naked stalke bowing to the eastward, which flower consisteth of sixe verie long leaues, of a fine delaied purple colour, which with the heate of the sunne openeth it selfe, and bendeth his leaues backe againe after the maner of the Cyclamen flower, within which there are fixe purple chiues and a white three forked stile or pestell. This flower is of no pleasant smell, but commendable for the beautie: when the flower is vaded, there succedeth a three square huske or head, wherein are the seedes which are very like them of Leucoium bulbosum præcox, but longer, slenderer, and of a yellowe colour. The roote is long, thicker below than aboue, set with many white fibres, waxing very tender in the vpper part, hauing one or more off-sets or yoong shootes, from which the stalke ariseth out of the ground (as it hath been said) bringing foorth two leaues and not three, or onely one, saue when it will not flower. 3 The third kind is in all things like the former, saue in the leaues which are narrower, and in the colour of the flower, which is altogether white, or consisting of a colour mixt of purple and white. Wherefore sith there is no other difference it shall suffice to haue saide this much for the description.

The place.

These three plants grow plentifully at the foote of certaine hils in the greene and moist grounds of Germanie and Italy, in Styria not farre from Gratzium, as also in Modena and Bononia in Italy, and likewise in my garden.

The time.

They flower in Aprill, and somtimes sooner, as in the middle of March.

The names.

The first is called in Latine Dens caninus herbariorum, and Erithronium, that is, the Herbarists Dogs tooth. The men of the countrey where it groweth do call it Schaffwurts: and the Phisitians about Styria do call it Dentali, and likewise Dens caninus flore albo, angustioribus foliis, that is, Dogs tooth with the white flower and narrow leaues.

The temperature.

These are of a very hot temperament, windie and of an excrementitious nature, as may appeere by the vertues.

The vertues.

The women that dwell about the place where these grewe and do growe, haue with great profite put the dried meale or powder of it in their childrens pottage, against the woormes of the belly. Being drunke with wine, it hath been prooued maruellously to asswage the collick passion. It strengthneth and nourisheth the bodie in great measure, and being drunke with water it cureth children of the falling sicknes. It prouoketh bodily lust if it be onely handled, but much more if it be drunke with wine.