Fig. 71. Rushes (1, 4 & 3)

The Description.

            1. The roots of our common Rushes are long and hairy, spreading largely in the ground from which, as from one entire tuft, proceed a great company of small rushes; so exceedingly well known, that I shall not need to spend much time about the description thereof.

            2. There be sundry sorts of Rushes betides the former, whose pictures are not here espressed, and the rather, for that the general description of Rushes, as also their common use and service, are sufficiency to lead us to the knowledge of them. This great Water-Grass or Bull-Rush, instead of leaves bringeth forth many strait twiggy shoots or springs, which be round, smooth, sharp pointed, and without knots. Their tuft or flower breaketh forth a little beneath the top, upon the one side of the Rush, growing upon little short stem like grape clusters, wherein is contained the seed after the fashion of a spear's point. The roots be slender and full of strings. Pliny, and Theophrastus before him, affirm that the roots of the Rush do die every year, and that, it groweth again of the seed. And they affirm likewise that the male is barren, and groweth again of the young shoots; yet I could never observe any such thing.

            3. There grows a Rush to the thickness of a Reed, and to some two yards and an half, or three yards high, in divers fenny grounds in this kingdom; it is very porous and light, and they usually make mats, and bottom chairs therewith. The seeds are contained in reddish tufts, breaking out at the top thereof. The roots are large and jointed, and it grows not unless in waters.

            4. Juncus acutus, or the sharp Rush, is likewise common and well known; not much differing from Juncus lævis, but harder, rougher, and sharper pointed, fitter to straw houses and chambers than any of the rest; for the others are so soft and pithy, that they turn to dust and filth with much treading; where contrariwise this rush is so hard that it will last sound much longer.

            5. There is also another pretty small kind of Rush growing to some foot in height, having smooth stalks which end in a head like to that of the ordinary Horse-tail. This rush hath also one little joint towards the bottom thereof. It grows in watery places, but not so frequently as the former.

The Place

            1. Juncus Lævis groweth in fertile fields, and meadows that are somewhat mist.

            2, 3 & 5. Grow in standing pools, and by rivers' sides in sundry places.

            4. Juncus acutus groweth upon dry and barren grounds, especially near the furrows of ploughed land. I need not speak of their time of growing, they being so common as they are.

The Names.

            The Rush is called in Latin Juncus: in high Dutch Binken: in low Dutch Biesen; in Italian Giunco: in Spanish Junco; in French Jonc: in English Rushes.

            2 & 3. The greater are commonly in many places termed Bumbles.

            4. Juncus acutus is called in Dutch Yseren Biesen

            5. This is called by Lobel, Juncus aquaticus minor capitulis Equiseti: By Dalechampius, Juncus clavatus, or Club-Rush.

The Nature and Virtues.

            These Rushes are of a dry nature.

            A. The seed of Rushes dried at the fire, and drunk with wine allayed with water, stayeth the lask and the overmuch flowing of women's terms.

            B. Galen yieldeth this reason thereof, because that their temperature consisteth of an earthy essence, moderately cold and watery, and meanly hot, and therefore doth the more easily dry up the lower parts, and by little and little send up the cold humours to the head, whereby it provoketh drowsiness and desire to sleep, but causeth the head-ache; whereof Galen yieldeth the reason as before.

            C. The tender leaves that be next the root make a convenient ointment against the bitings of the spider called Phalangium.

            D. The seed of the Bull-Rush is most soporiferous, and therefore the greater care musl be had in the administration thereof, lest in provoking sleep you induce a drowsiness or dead sleep.