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Of the English Jacinth, or Hare - Bells

The Description. 1 THe blew Hare-bells or English Jacinth is very common throughout all England. It hath long narrow leaves leaning towards the ground, among the which spring up naked or bare stalks loden with many hollow blew floures, of a strong sweet smell somewhat stuffing the head: after which come the cods or round knobs, containing a great quantitie of small blacke shining seed. The root is bulbous, full of a slimie glewish juice, which will serve to set feathers upon arrowes in stead of glew, or to paste bookes with: hereof is made the best starch next unto that of Wake - robin roots. 2 The white English Jacinth is altogether like unto the precedent, saving that the leaves of this are somewhat broader, the floures more open, and very white of colour. 3 There is found wilde in many places of England another sort, having floures of a faire Carnation colour, which maketh a difference from the other. The blew Hare-bels grow wilde in woods, Copses, and in the borders of fields every where thorow England.

The Time.

They floure from the beginning of May unto the end of June. The Names.

The first of our English Hyacinths is called Hyacinthus Anglicus, for that it is thought to grow more plentifully in England than elsewhere: of Dodoneaus, Hyacinthus non scriptus, or the unwritten Hyacinth.

The Vertues.

The roots, after the opinion of Dioscorides, being beaten and applied with white Wine, hinder or keepe backe the growth of haires.