Of the great Centorie.

* The defcription. The great Centorie bringeth foorth round fmooth ftalkes, three cubits high: the leaues are long, diuided as it were in many parcels, like to thofe of the Walnut tree, fomewhat fnipt about the edges like the teeth of a fawe. The flowers growe at the top of the ftalkes in fcalie knaps like the great Knap weede, the middle thrums whereof are of a light blew, or skie colour; when the feede is ripe, the whole knap or head turneth to a downie fubftance, like the head of an Artichok; wherein is found a long fmooth feede, bearded at one end like thofe of Baftard Saffron, called Cartamus, or the feede of Carduus benedictus. The roote is great, long, blacke on the outfide, and of a fanguine colour on the infide, fomewhat fweete in tafte, and biting the toong. There is likewife another fort hereof, hauing great and large leaues like thofe of the water Dock, fomewhat fnipt or toothed about the edges. The ftalke is fhorter than the other, but the roote is more oleous or fuller of iuice, otherwife like. Centaurium magnum. Great Centorie.

The place.

The great Centorie ioyeth in a fat and fruitfull foile, and in funnie banks full of graffe and herbes. It groweth very plentifully, faith Diofcorides, in Lycia, Peloponnefus, Arcadia, in Morea, and in Baldus a mountaine in the territories of Verona, and likewife in my garden.

The time.

It flowreth in fommer, and the rootes may be gathered in Autumne.

The names.

It is called in Greek κενταύριον τὸ μέγα: of Theophraftus alfo Centauris: in diuers fhops falfly Rha Ponticum: for Rha Ponticum is Rha growing in the countries of Pontus: a plant differing from great Centorie. There is found among the baftard names Vnefera, Fel terrae, and Polyhydion: but Theophraftus and Pliny do fet downe among the kindes of Panaces or All-heale, this great Centorie, and alfo the leffer whereof we wil write in the next chap. following. Pliny reciting the words of Theophr. doth in his 25. book 4. chap. write, that they were found out by Chiron Centaurus and furnamed Centauria. Alfo affirming the fame thing in his 6. chap. where he more largely expounding both the Centauries, repeateth to be found out by Chiron: & thereupon he addeth, that either of them is named Chironium. Of fome it is reported, that the faid Chiron was cured therewith of a wound in his foote, that was made with an arrow that fel vpon it, when he was entertaining of Hercules into his houfe: whereupon it was called Chironium: or of the curing of the woundes of his foldiers, for the which purpofe it is moft excellent.

The temperature.

It is hot and drie in the third degree. Galen faith, by the tafte of the roote it fheweth contrarie qualities, fo in the vfe it performeth contrarie effects.

The vertues.

The roote taken in the quantitie of two drams, is good for them that are burften, or fpit bloud; againft the crampe and fhrinking of finewes, the fhortnes of winde or difficultie of breathing, the cough and gripings of the belly. There is not any part of the herbe, but it rather worketh miracles then ordinarie cures in greene wounds: for it ioineth togither the lips of fimple wounds in the the flefh, according to the firft intention, that is, glewing the lips togither, not drawing to the place any matter at all. These things and mo befides Diofcorides telleth of. The roote (faith he) is a remedie for ruptures, conuulfions and cramps, taken in the weight of two drams to be giuen with wine to thofe that are without a feauer, and to thofe that haue, with water. Galen faith, that the iuice of the leaues thereof, performeth thofe things that the roote doth, which is alfo vfed in fteede of Lycium, a kinde of harde iuice of a fharpe tafte.