Chap. 142. Of Cocks-comb.
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Page 237I. The Names. The Ancients we cannot find L knew any thing of this Plant, unless it be ΆAtx7C__?λοφPlinij, i. e. gallinacei Cristam habenu Our Modems call it in Latin Crista Galli, vel Galli-nacea, because the Flowers, as some think, stand at the tops of the Stalks, like a Cocks Comb _·, others think it to be so called from the form of the Leaves, whose dentings on the edges, refembie the Comb, or Crest of" a Cock : In English, it is called Cocks Comb, Yellow Rattle, and Telfto Leufe-wort.
IL The Kinds. It is one of the Kinds of Rattle-Grass, or Louse-wort. Now Rattle-Grass is either Yellow or Red the Yellow, which is called Cocks-Comb, we shall treat of in this place the Red we shall treat of under the Title of Rattle-grass Red, irr some of the Chapters following. Of the Yellow Kind there are four Species, of which two of them are only found to grow in England, viz. 1. Crista Galli Lutea, Crista Gallinacea, Crista Galli Bauhini/, Pedicularis pratensis lutea Bauhini ; Pediculans Campcftris Tragi-, Crista Galli vel Gallinaui Bo* 1 D d *****
Page 238dtotsei, Lobelij,Clufij _·, Cocks Comb, Yellow Rattle, and Yellow Louse-wort. 2. Crista Galli Lutea Vntbellata Bauhini, Yellow Rattle, with Tufted Flowers.
III. The Descriptions. The Common Cocks Comb, or Yellow Rattle, has a Root small and slender, which pcnfies every Year _·, from which Root seldom grows more than one round green Stalk, which rises up about half a yard, or two feet high, and with but few Branches thereon, having two long, am somewhat broad Leaves set at a Joint, deeply dented, or cut in on the edges, resembling therein the Crest or Comb of a Cock, broadest next to the Stalk, and narrower or smaller towards the end. The Flowers grow at the tops of the Stalks, with some shorter Leaves with them, being hooded as the Red Rattle-GraiTes are ; but of a fair yellow color in most, or else in some paler, and in some more white : The Seed is contained in large Husks, which being ripe will rattle, and make a noise, it lying loose within them. _·
IV. The second has a small slender Root, which fends forth a few narrow Leaves, of about an Inch long apiece ; and a Stalk from among them but a little more than an hand breadth high, on which grow many yellow Flowers, set together at the top, as it were in an Vmble or Tuft, fashioned like the other with hooded and gaping yellow Flowers, but three times longer than those _·, which being past away, leave &r%* bf0(1(1 ^ks, containing the Seed.
/_· 'HJe Places. They grow in our Meadows and
oods generally through the Land h where they are rather a Plague and Annoyance to it, than of any good use for Cattel. Gerard says, that the first grows in dry Meadows and Pastures, and is accounted as an unprofitable thing.
a VLa ηΆ ΓΓ%' ihey Flower in j^e, July, and
*VtN& 4 e/Seed ripens in the mean Seafen.
VII The Qualities. It is held to be cold and dry,
0t ν"τ cr?m'e ProPert^ and Pectoral.
VIII. The Specification. It is peculiar against Coughs, and Diseases of the Lungs 8
IX. The Preparations. You may have therefrom, 1. A liquid Juice. 2. An Essence. 3. A Decoction in Wine or Water. 4. The whole Seed.
The Virtues.
X. The liquid Juice. If* it is mixt with Honer, and put into the Eyes, it takes away Milts, Clouds, Films, and other things which dim the fight: mixt with a little small, or weak Lime Water, it drys up Rheums in the Eyes, and heals any Sore or Ulcer with which they may be affected.
XI. The Essence. It has the Virtues of the Juice, besides which, being dulcified with White or Brown Sugar Candy, it is an excellent thing against Coughs, Colds, Hoarsness, Wheezings, and shortness of breath. Dose a spoonful or two at a time.
XII. The Decoction in Wine, or in Bean Broth, or Pater. It may be sweetned with Honey, and then clarified with Whites of Eggs. It is a good thing against Coughs and Colds, causes easie Expectoration ; and is a good Collyrium to wash weak, dim, fore and running Eyes withal, fot it admirably clears the fight.
XIII. The whole Seed. If it is put into the Eyes, it cures dimness of light from any pure external Cause, and removes Mists, Cloudiness, Films, Skins, or Pearls, or any other outward matter which obfuscates the sight.
Botanologia, or The English Herbal, was written by William Salmon, M.D., in 1710.
