057-060 Bears-foot, Doves-foot, Periwinckle, Wood-roof.
57. Bears-foot, or Black Hellebore. Helleboraster.
1. It grows to be 18 Inches high; the Bottom Leaves are dark Green, and the upper light Green; the Flowers are a very light Green, tinctured with Purple round the Edges.
2. It grows on the Mountains of Swisserland, Austria, and Stiria, and is planted with us in Gardens, and Flowers the latter end of December, whence it is called the Christmass Flower.
3. Bears-foot was esteemed by the Ancients good for Melancholy and Madness, to purge black Choler and Humours ariseing thence; they likewise gave it in Leprosies, Shingles, the Itch, and the like cutaneous Affections. It is also commended for the Gout; and of late it has been very much made use of in stubborn Obstructions of the Catamenia. The officinal Medicine is the Tinctura Ellebori.
4. Greek, Ελλέβορος μέλας Dioscorides. Latin, Elleborum nigrum or Helleboraster. Spanish, Verde Gambre nero, or Elleboro. Italian, Elleboro nero. French, Ellebore noire. German, Christwurt. Dutch, -.
58. Doves-foot, or Crane's Bill. Geranium Columbinum, or Pes Columbinus.
Also see #150, Musk Crane's Bill.
1. This Species of Crane's Bill grows a foot high, the Leaves at the Bottom spread on the Ground, and are a bright Green; the stalks are a Reddish Green, and the Flowers a red Purple.
2. It grows on Banks and Flowers great Part of the Summer.
3. It is esteemed a vulnerary Plant, usefull in inward Wounds, Bruises and Haemorrhagies, and all Fluxes. It is much cry'd up for the Cure of Ruptures in Children, given in Pouder. It also helps the stone and provokes Urine.
4. Greek, Γεράνιον, Dioscorides. Latin, Geranium columbinum. Spanish, Pico de Cinquenha. Italian, Geranio. French, Bec de Cicongue. German, Belscher Storschschnabel. Dutch, Duyvevoet.
59. Periwinckle, Vinca pervinca, or Clematis Daphnoides.
1. Periwinckle grows a foot high, the Leaves are a bright shining Green, and the Flowers a blew Purple, but sometimes white.
2. It grows in shady Banks, & dry Ditches; & Flowers most Months in ye Summer.
3. It is accounted a good vulnerary Plant, & is often used in Wound-Drinks, for Bruises, Contusions, inward Bleeding, Wasting & spitting of Blood; & ye Excess of ye Catamenia, & ye Fluor albus.
4. Greek, Κλύματισ δαφνοίδης, Dioscorides. Latin, Vinca pervinca. Spanish, Pervinqua. Italian, Provenca. French, Lyserum. German, Singrun. Dutch, Vincoorde.
60. Wood-roof. Asperula odorata, or Aspergula.
Also see #039, Clivers - #060, Wood-roof - #168, White Ladies-Bed-Straw.
1. The Stalks grow to be a foot high, ye Leaves are a deep grass Green, & ye Flowers white.
2. It grows in Woods and Copses, and Flowers in May.
3. Wood-roof is esteemed a good Hepatic, and usefull against Inflammations of the Liver, Obstructions of the Gall Bladder, and Jaundice. The Germans put it into their Wine as we do Borrage & Burnet, as a great Cordial and Comforter of the Spirits. The Green Herb bruised is applyed by ye Country Folks to hot Tumours, Inflammations, and fresh Cuts.
4. Greek, Ερυδ ρόδανον αγειον, Dioscorides. Latin, Asperula odorata. Spanish, Ruvia. Italian, Robbia salvatica. French, Garence. German, Bildt Rot. Dutch, -.
