Of Reeds
The Kindes.
OF Reeds the Ancients have set downe many sorts.
The Description. 1 THe common Reed hath long strawie stalkes, full of knotty joints or knees like unto corne, whereupon doe grow very long rough flaggy leaves. The tuft or spokie eare doth grow at the top of the stalkes, browne of colour, barren and without seed, and doth resemble a bush of feathers, which turneth into fine downe or cotton which is caried away with the winde. The root is thicke, long, and full of strings, dispersing themselves farre abroad, whereby it doth greatly increase. 2 This great sort of Reeds or Canes hath no particular description to answer your expectation, for that as yet there is not any man which hath written thereof, especially of the manner of growing of them, either of his owne knowledge or report from others, so that it shall suffice that ye know that that great cane is used especially in Constantinople and thereabout, of aged and wealthy Citisens, and also Noblemen and such great personages, to make them walking staves of, carving them at the top with sundry Scutchions, and pretty toyes of imagerie for the beautifying of them; and so they of the better sort doe garnish them both with silver and gold. 3 In like manner the smaller sort hath not as yet beene seene growing of any that have beene curious in herbarisme, whereby they might set downe any certainty thereof; onely it hath beene used in Constantinople and thereabout, even to this day to make writing pens withall, for the which it doth very fitly serve, as also to make pipes, and such like things of pleasure. The Place.
The common Reed groweth in standing waters and in the edges and borders of rivers almost everywhere; and the other being the angling Cane for fishers groweth in Spaine and those hot Regions.
The Time.
They flourish and floure from Aprill to the end of September, at which time they are cut downe for the use of man, as all do know. The Vertues.
The roots of reed stamped small draw forth thorns and splinters fixed in any part of mans body.
The same stamped with vinegre ease all luxations and members out of joynt. And likewise stamped they heale hot and sharpe inflammations. The ashes of them mixed with vinegre helpe the scales and scurfe of the head, and the falling of the haire.
The great Reed or Cane is not used in physicke, but is esteemed to make slears for Weavers, sundry sorts of pipes, as also to light candles that stand before Images, and to make hedges and pales, as we do of lats and such like; and also to make certaine divisions in ships to divide the sweet oranges from the sowre, the Pomecitron and lemmons likewise in sunder, and many other purposes.