I had a good interest with two very able
apothecaries in Salisbury: Hen. Denny (Mr. Hayward's master), and Mr.
Eires; but they are not long since dead. But Mr. Andrewes, on the
ditch there, hath assured a friend of mine, Robt. Good, M.A. that he
will preserve the herbes the herbe-women shall bring him, for my use.
If such an inventory were made it would sett our countrey-men a worke,
to make 'em love this knowledge, and to make additions.
In the meantime, that this necessary topick be not altogether void, I
will sett down such plants as I remember to have seen in my frequent
journeys. 'Twas pleasant to behold how every ten or twenty miles yield
a new entertainment in this kind.
I will begin in the north part, towardes Coteswold in Gloucestershire.
In Bradon Forest growes very plentifully rank wood-wax; and a blew
grasse they call July-flower grasse, which cutts the sheepes mouthes;
except in the spring. (I suppose it is that sort of Cyperus grasse
which some herbarists call "gramen caryophylleu{s}".- J. RAY.) Wood-
wax growes also plentifully between Easton-Piers and Yatton Keynel;
but not so rank as at Bradon Forest.
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At Mintie is an abundance of wild mint, from whence the village is
denominated.
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Argentina (wild tansey) growes the most in the fallowes in Coteswold,
and North Wilts adjoyning, that I ever saw. It growes also in the
fallowes in South Wiltshire, but not so much.
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