These are certainly the true kindes of _Scilla_ that should bee vsed in medicines, although (as Clusius reporteth) the Spaniards forbade him to taste of the red Squill, as of a most strong and present poison. Pliny hath made more sorts then can be found out yet to this day with vs: that _Scilla_ that is called _Epimenidia_, because it might be eaten, is thought to be the great _Ornithogalum_, or Starre of Bethlehem. _Pancratium_ is, I know, and as I said before, referred to that kinde of bastard Sea Daffodill, which is set forth before in the end of the history of the bastard Daffodils; and diuers also would make the _Narcissus tertius Matthioli_, which I call the true Sea Daffodill, to be a _Pancratium_; but seeing Dioscorides (and no other is against him) maketh _Pancratium_ to be a kinde of Squill with reddish rootes, I dare not vphold their opinion against such manifest truth. The Vertues. The Squill or Sea Onion is wholly vsed physically with vs, because wee can receiue no pleasure from the sight of the flowers. Pliny writeth, that Pithagoras wrote a volume or booke of the properties thereof, for the singular effects it wrought; which booke is lost, yet the diuers vertues it hath is recorded by others, to be effectual for the spleene, lungs, stomach, liuer, head and heart; and for dropsies, old coughs, Iaundise, and the wormes; that it cleareth the sight, helpeth the tooth-ache, cleanseth the head of scurfe, and running sores; and is an especiall Antidote against poison: and therefore is vsed as a principall ingredient into the _Theriaca Andromachi_, which we vsually call Venice Treakle. The Apothecaries prepare hereof, both Wine, Vinegar, and Oxymel or Syrupe, which is singular to extenuate and expectorate tough flegme, which is the cause of much disquiet in the body, and an hinderer of concoction, or digestion in the stomach, besides diuers other wayes, wherein the scales of the rootes, being dryed, are vsed. And Galen hath sufficiently explained the qualities and properties thereof, in his eight Booke of Simples. CHAP. XII. _Ornithogalum._ Starre of Bethlehem. After the Family of the Iacinths, must needes follow the kindes of Starre-flowers, or Starres of Bethlehem, as they are called, for that they doe so nearely resemble them, that diuers haue named some of them Iacinths, and referred them to that kindred: all of them, both in roote, leafe, and flower, come nearer vnto the Iacinths, then vnto any other plant. They shall therefore bee next described, euery one in their order, the greatest first, and the rest following. _Ornithogalum Arabicum._ The great Starre-flower of Arabia.