The Description.

            1. The first of these Toothpick Chervils beareth leaves like wild Turnips, a round stalk furrowed, jointed, blackish, and hairy, divided into many branches, on the tops whereof grow spoky tufts, beset round about with many small leaves. The flowers thereof are whitish: after cometh the the seed, which being once ripe do cluster and are drawn together, in a round thick tuft like a small bird's nest, as be those of the wild Carrot; whose seeds whoso toucheth, they will cleave and stick to his fingers, by reason of the glutinous or slimy matter they are possessed with. The root is small and whitish, bitter in taste, as is all the rest of the plant.

            2. The Spanish Toothpick hath leaves, flowers, and knobby stalks like unto wild carrots, saving that the leaves are somewhat finer, cut or jagged thicker, and tenderer, but not rough or hairy at all as is the former, of a bitter taste, and a reasonable good smell: among which rise up bushy roundels or spoky tufts like those of the wild Carrot or Bird's Nest, closely drawn together when the seed is ripe; at what time also the sharp needles are hardened, fit to make toothpicks and suchlike, for which purpose they do very fitly serve.

The Place.

            Both of them grow in Syria, and most commonly in Cilicia: the later is to be found likewise in Spain almost everywhere; and I have it likewise in my garden in great plenty.

The Time.

            They flower in my garden about August, and deliver their seed in October.

The Names.

            The Latins do name it Gingidium: and it is called in Syria Lepidium: yet is there another Lepidium. It is reported among the bastard names to be called by the Romans, Bisacutum, of which name some show remains among the Syrians, who commonly call the later, Gingidium, Visnaga; this is named in English, Toothpick Chervil.

The Temperature and Virtues.

            A. There is, saith Galen, great increase of Gingidium in Syria, and it is eaten no otherwise than Scandex is with us at Pergamum: it is, saith he, very wholesome for the stomach, whether it be eaten raw or boiled; notwithstanding it is evident that it is a medicine rather than a nourishment. As it is bitter and binding, so is it likewise of a temperate heat and dryness. The heat is not very apparent, but it is found to be dry in the later end of the second degree, as also the said author allegeth in his discourse Of the Faculties of Simple Medicines.

            B. Dioscorides doth also write the same: This pot-herb (saith he) is eaten raw, sodden, and preserved, with great good to the stomach: it provoketh urine, and the decoction thereof made with wine and drunk, is profitable to scour the bladder, provoketh urine, and is good against the gravel and stone.

            C. The hard quills whereon the seeds do grow are good to cleanse the teeth and gums, and do easily take away all filth and baggage sticking in them, without any hurt unto the gums, as followeth after many other toothpicks, and they leave a good scent or savour in the mouth.