The Kinds.

            The sundry kinds of Nape or Navews degenerating from the kinds of Turnip; of which some are of the garden and other wild, or of the field.

The Description.

            1. Navew Gentle is like unto Turnips in stalks, flowers, and seed, as also in the shape of the leaves, but those of the Navew are much smoother; it also differeth in the root: the Turnip is round like a Globe, the Navew root is somewhat stretched forth in length.

            2. The small or wild Navew is like unto the former, saving that it is altogether lesser. The root is small, somewhat long, with threads long and tough at the end thereof.

The Place.

            1. Navew Gentle requireth a loose and yellow mould even as doth the Turnip, and prospereth in a fruitful soil: he is sown in France, Bavaria, and other places in the fields for the seeds' sake, as is likewise that wild Colewort called of the old writers Crambe: for the plentiful increase of the seeds bringeth no small gain to the husbandmen of that country, because that being pressed they yield an oil which is used not only in lamps, but also in the making of soap; for of this oil and a lye made of certain ashes, is boiled a soap which is used in the Low Countries everywhere to scour and wash linen clothes. I have heard it reported that it is at this day sown in England for the same purpose.

            2. The Wild Navew groweth upon ditch banks near unto villages and good towns, as also upon fresh marshy banks in most places.

The Time.

            The Navew is sown, flowereth and seedeth at the same time that the Turnip doth.

The Names.

            The Navew is called in Latin Napus, the Germans call it Steckruben: the Brabanters, Steckropen: in Spanish, Naps: in Italian, Navo: the Frenchmen, Naveau: in English, Navew-Gentle, or French Naveau. The other is called Napus sylvestris, or Wild Navew.

The Temperature and virtues.

            The Navew and the Turnip are all one in temperature and virtues, yet some suppose that the Navew is a little drier, and not so soon concocted, nor passeth down so easily, and doth withal engender less wind. In the rest it is answerable to the Turnip.

            A. The seeds of these taken in drink or broth are good against poison, and are usually put into antidotes for the same purpose.