The properties of Violets are sufficiently knowne to all, to coole and moisten: I shall forbeare to recite the many vertues that may be set downe, and onely let you knowe, that they haue in them an opening or purging quality, being taken either fresh and greene, or dryed, and made into powder, especially the flowers; the dryed leaues will doe the like, but in greater quantity. Costæus in his booke of the nature of all plants saith, that the distilled water of Harts ease, is commended in the French disease, to be profitable, being taken for nine dayes or more, and sweating vpon it, which how true it is, I know not, and wish some better experience were made of it, before we put any great confidence in that assertion. CHAP. LIII. _Epimedium._ Barrenwort. This pretty plant riseth vp out of the ground with vpright, hard, round, small stalkes, a foote and a halfe high, or not two foote high at the highest, diuided into three branches for the most part, each branch whereof is againe diuided for the most part into three other branches, and each of them beare three leaues (seldome either more or lesse) set together, yet each vpon his owne foote-stalke, each leafe being broad, round, and pointed at the end, somewhat hard or dry in feeling, hayrie, or as it were prickly about the edges, but very tenderly, without harme, of a light greene colour on the vpperside, and a little whiter vnderneath: from the middle of the stemme or stalke of leaues doth likewise come forth another long stalke, not much higher then those with the leaues on them, diuided into other branches, each whereof hath likewise three flowers, each vpon his owne footestalke, consisting of eight small leaues a peece, yet seeming to be but of foure leaues spread or layd open flat, for that the foure vppermost, which are the smaller and being yellow, doe lye so close on the foure vndermost, which are a little broader and red, that they shew as if they were yellow flowers with red edges, hauing yellow threds tipt with greene, standing in the middle of the flowers: the vnderside of the lower leaues are of a pale yellowish red, striped with white lines: after the flowers are past, there come small long pods, wherin are contained flat reddish seede: the rootes are small, reddish and hard, spreading, branching and enterlacing themselues very much, and is fit to be placed on some shady side of a garden: the whole plant is rather of a strong then any good sent, yet is cherished for the pleasant varietie of the flowers. The Place. Cæsalpinus saith it groweth on the mountaines of Liguria, that is nigh vnto Ligorne, in the Florentine Dominion. Camerarius saith, nigh vnto Vicenza in Italie. Bauhinus on the Euganian hils, nigh vnto Padoa, and in Romania in shadowie wet grounds. The Time.