Now what _Dioscorides_ affirmeth in favour of this effect, that the grains of the apples of Mandrakes mundifie the matrix, and applied with Sulphur, stop the fluxes of women, he overthrows again by qualities destructive unto conception; affirming also that the juice thereof purgeth upward like Hellebore; and applied in pessaries provokes the menstruous flows, and procures abortion. _Petrus Hispanus_, or Pope _John_ the twentieth speaks more directly in his _Thesaurus pauperum_: wherein among the receits of fecundation, he experimentally commendeth the wine of Mandrakes given with _Triphera magna_. But the soul of the medicine may lie in _Triphera magna_, an excellent composition, and for this effect commended by _Nicolaus_. And whereas _Levinus Lemnius_ that eminent Physitian doth also concede this effect, it is from manifest causes and qualities elemental occasionally producing the same. For he imputeth the same unto the coldness of that simple, and is of opinion that in hot climates, and where the uterine parts exceed in heat, by the coldness hereof they may be reduced into a conceptive constitution, and Crasis accommodable unto generation; whereby indeed we will not deny the due and frequent use may proceed unto some effect, from whence notwithstanding we cannot infer a fertilitating condition or property of fecundation. For in this way all vegetables do make fruitful according unto the complexion of the Matrix; if that excel in heat, plants exceeding in cold do rectifie it; if it be cold, simples that are hot reduce it; if dry moist, if moist dry correct it; in which division all plants are comprehended. But to distinguish thus much is a point of Art, and beyond the Method of _Rachels_ or feminine Physick. Again, Whereas it may be thought that _Mandrakes_ may fecundate, since _Poppy_ hath obtained the Epithite of fruitful, and that fertility was Hieroglyphically described by _Venus_ with an head of _Poppy_ in her hand; the reason hereof was the multitude of seed within it self, and no such multiplying in humane generation. And lastly, whereas they may seem to have this quality, since _Opium_ it self is conceived to extimulate unto venery, and for that intent is sometimes used by _Turks_, _Persians_, and most oriental Nations; although _Winclerus_ doth seem to favour the conceit, yet _Amatus Lusitanus_, and _Rodericus à Castro_ are against it; _Garcias ab horto_ refutes it from experiment; and they speak probably who affirm the intent and effect of eating Opium [SN: _Opium, of what effect in venery._], it not so much to invigorate themselves in coition, as to prolong the Act, and spin out the motions of carnality. CHAPTER VIII Of the three Kings of _Collein_. [Sidenote: _Three magi or wise men_ (Mat. 2.) _What manner of Kings they were._]