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Of Paper Reed

PAper Reed hath many large flaggie leaves somewhat triangular and smooth, not much unlike those of Cats-taile, rising immediately from a tuft of roots compact of many strings, amongst the which it shooteth up two or three naked stalkes, square, and rising some six or seven cubits high above the water: at the top wherof there stands a tuft or bundle of chaffie threds set in comely order, resembling a tuft of floures, but barren and void of seed. The Place.

This kinde of Reed growes in the Rivers about Babylon, and neere the city Alcaire, in the river Nilus, and such other places of those countries. The Time.

The time of springing and flourishing answereth that of the common Reed. The Names.

This kinde of Reed, which I have Englished Paper Reed, or Paper plant, is the same (as I doe reade) that Paper was made of in AEgypt, before the invention of paper made of linnen clouts was found out. It is thought by men of great learning and understanding in the Scriptures, and set downe by them for truth, that this plant is the same Reed mentioned in the second chapter of Exodus; whereof was made that basket or cradle, which was dawbed within and without with slime of that countrey, called Bitumen Judaicum, wherein Moses was put being committed to the water, when Pharaoh gave commandement that all the male children of the Hebrewes should be drowned.

The Nature, Vertues, and Use.

The roots of Paper Reed doe nourish, as may appeare by the people of AEgypt, which doe use to chew them in their mouthes, and swallow downe the juice, finding therein great delight and comfort.