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Of Sow-Bread

The Description.

THe first being the common kinde of Sow-bread, called in shops Panis porcinus, and Arthanita, hath many greene and round leaves like unto Asarabacca, saving that the upper part of the leaves are mixed here and there confusedly with white spots, and under the leaves next the ground of a purple colour: among which rise up little stemmes like unto the stalkes of violets, bearing at the top small purple floures, which turne themselves backward (being full blowne) like a Turks cap, or Tulepan, of a small sent or savour, or none at all: which being past, there succeed little round knops or heads which containe slender browne seeds: these knops are wrapped after a few daies in the small stalkes, as thred about a bottome, where it remaineth so defended from the injurie of Winter close upon the ground, covered also with the greene leaves aforesaid, by which meanes it is kept from the frost, even from the time of his seeding, which is in September, untill June: at which time the leaves doe fade away, the stalkes & seed remaining bare and naked, whereby it injoyeth the Sun (whereof it was long deprived) the sooner to bring them unto maturitie. The Place.

Sow-bread groweth plentifully about Artoies and Vermandois in France, and in the Forest of Arden, and in Brabant.

It is reported unto mee by men of good credit, that Cyclamen or Sow-bread groweth upon the mountaines of Wales; on the hils of Lincolnshire, and in Somerset shire by the house of a gentleman called Mr. Hales; upon a Fox-borough also not far from Mr. Bamfields, neer to a town called Hardington. The first two kindes grow in my garden, where they prosper well. (Dagger) I cannot learne that this growes wilde in England. (Dagger) The Vertues.

Being beaten and made up into trochisches, or little flat cakes, it is reported to be a good amorous medicine to make one in love, if it be inwardly taken.