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BOOK ONE.

SECTION ONE.

ON GRASSES.

GRASS [is so called] from gradiendo (walking), because it creeps with jointed little branches; or, it is named from its fertility in gignendi (producing), since it frequently spreads new roots from itself. To the Greeks it is agrostis, from agron (fields), because it grows in fields; to Theophrastus it is poa, "herb," because it is the most frequent of all herbs.

Dioscorides and Pliny established four genera: later authors have recognized more distinctions. Truly, such is the playfulness of Nature in these plants, that besides the varieties proposed by the ancients and more recent writers, we shall enumerate many more, since we have referred to this class the species of Bromus, Phoenix, Lolium, and sterile Oats (for these too are of the Grass genus): beginning in order with Couch Grass, since it is used in the pharmacies of Germany.

DOG GRASS.

We call it "Dog Grass" [Caninum] in imitation of Pliny, to whom it was Canaria, as if discovered by dogs, with which they relieve nausea, casting up vomit with phlegm: hence it is called Cynagrostis by others; and from the form of the leaves first emerging, it is called Dens Canis (Dog's Tooth) by some.

I. Field dog grass, or the Grass of Dioscorides. = Now called Triticum repens, L.
Grass, Ruel. Dod. Cord. in Dioscor. Cast.
Grass of Dioscorides, Gesner. hort.
Medicinal dog grass, Ad. Lob.
Dog grass, Tab. Ger.
Common grass, Lugd.
Perhaps the larger species of the Grass of Dioscorides, Thal.
II. Vineyard dog grass: the first in the Prodromos.
III. & IV. Dog grass with longer roots, greater and smaller. IV = Now called Holcus mollis, L.
Dog grass with longer roots and a broader panicle, greater and smaller, Lob. adv. part. alt.
V. Decumbent panicled dog grass with varying leaf. Agrostis Canina, L. sp. 92

The smallest species of the 1st Grass of Dioscorides, Thal.
VI. Sweet decumbent panicled dog grass: the 2nd in the Prodromos. Aira aquatica L. sp. 95
Master Lobelius sent it under the name of sweet grass.
VII. Smaller decumbent dog grass, Decumbent dog grass, Lob. ico. Ger.
Decumbent dog grass, 2nd, Tab.
VIII. Spiked maritime dog grass.
Jointed maritime dog grass, Lobel. ico.
Third dog grass, Tab.
Maritime dog grass, Ger.
IX. Maritime dog grass with a leafy spike.
Maritime dog grass with longer roots, 2nd, Lob. ico.
Another maritime dog grass, Ger.
IX = Now called Triticum junceum, L. var. γ